Breast milk actually contains living cells that fight infection, and the breast will make antibodies for the germs your baby comes in contact with. The list of diseases breastfeeding offers at least some protection against grows daily: colds, ear infections, diarrhea, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, some childhood cancers, diabetes, Crohn's disease, SIDS, etc. If your baby does get sick, chances are it will be a lighter case and he'll get over it more quickly if he is breastfed than if he isn't.

Breastfeeding is good for you, too. It helps lower your risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis, to name just a few.

I can't promise that your new baby won't get sick if you breastfeed him, but it might just be worth stacking the odds in his favor!