To nurse or not to nurse? One of the most important decisions you can make as a new parent is how to feed your child. If Mom is on the fence about whether or not to breastfeed, keep this in mind: Dads, your opinion counts, and your support could make or break the nursing relationship between your baby and his mother. Are you informed about the benefits and challenges breastfeeding will offer your growing family?

It's an often-uttered phrase that may have little meaning if you haven't given breastfeeding a lot of thought. But truly, experts everywhere agree that mother's milk gives Baby the best start. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns."

Breast milk helps your baby develop a strong immune system and protects babies from illness, including the all too common ear infection. And the Food and Drug Administration reports that mothers "produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well." Loosely translated, this means that a breastfed baby has a better defense against common "bugs" and diseases than his formula-fed peers.

As if those weren't reasons enough to breastfeed, nursing also benefits Baby's mother. When her baby breastfeeds, a postpartum mother's uterus contracts, bringing it back to its normal size more quickly. In addition, a nursing mother can lose weight more easily than a woman who does not choose to breastfeed (breastfeeding burns 500 extra calories a day – it's hard work producing milk for Baby). And studies have also shown that women who do not breastfeed are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than women who nurse. A healthier mom is a happier mom – and everyone in the house can benefit from that.

Perhaps most importantly, nursing helps Mom bond with Baby and to share a closeness no one else can share with her infant. The American Dietetic Association believes that "the bonding that occurs during breastfeeding makes it a special choice." But where does that leave you?

First and foremost, Dad's role in the nursing relationship is to support his partner's decision to breastfeed. The first hours, days and even weeks of breastfeeding can be rocky. Despite being the most natural way to feed your baby, breastfeeding does not come naturally to many women. Your wife may be sore, have difficulty getting Baby to latch onto her breast and may be bombarded with advice. If both of you know what to expect before the baby is born, you can avoid miscommunications later when emotions – and hormones – are in flux.

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