For reasons I am not fully aware of, my mother was never a very maternal woman. She certainly did not breastfeed me, nor was she ever really a nurturing mother. When I was pregnant with my first child, I knew instinctively that I wanted to nurse my child. It is as Mother Nature intended, after all.

During my pregnancy, my midwife told me that I had great breasts for nursing. I wasn't sure what she meant, but I soon found out. I was blessed with a bountiful milk supply and large, easy-to-find "targets." After my son was born early weighing only 5 pounds, 4 ounces, he nursed for three straight hours. That little guy nursed every half hour for months; his weight shot up as he became an adorably chunky baby. My midwife said I would have made a great wet nurse in a former life, and who knows, maybe I was!

I nursed wherever I needed to, in public or private. I was as discreet as possible, but didn't mind nursing at a baseball game or cafe table. At 13 months, my son naturally weaned himself down to just his early morning nursing, as we lay in bed together snuggling and enjoying the last minutes before rising for the day. At 19 months, he weaned completely with no struggle or remorse, leaving me to deal with the separation anxiety! How strange and slightly sad I felt, no longer really needed in that way.

An older toddler now, he still says "mommy's boobies" and pats them whenever he gets the urge. He sometimes wants to make sure they are still there. I give him a peek, and he says, "Still there!" Looking back at the thousands of hours I spent nursing my son, I can't imagine a better way to bond with your children and instill in them an everlasting love of touch and closeness.

I am now pregnant with my second child and am looking forward to nursing this baby as much as the first. It's the best nourishment on the planet for the little one I am growing inside, and it comes in the most convenient of packages! While some women may not be able to take advantage of this wonderful blessing of nature, I consider myself fortunate that it has worked out so well for us. The first few weeks of discomfort are more than worth the many months of health, love and happiness that I bestow on my children. Simply put, breastfeeding is the ultimate connection between mother and child. I already feel a connection between my son and I that I have never had with my mother ... and I am at peace.

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