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Because its what's best for her. It's a real struggle for me because of the elimination diet I have to be on. But it's worth it for her. And the fact that it's free sure helps stick with it since she would have to use very expensive hypoallergenic formula.

@jedeve: I wanted to. But I also felt pressured to. I wanted the health benefits. I wanted the bonding. I wanted to do what I was told was best for my baby.
For me it wasn't free, had to go back to work at 7 weeks, so pump, clothes, pads were necessities if I wanted to keep up my supply. Also the cost of domperidone ($130/month) when my supply took a hit during teething/nursing strikes. I also didn't lose the last of the weight until we were only morning/evening nursing at 9.5 months.
For me it was totally worth it though. I loved it. The time with DS after a long day at work was amazing. He's never been sick in his 13 months. Neither have I.

I feel it's what's best for her and she likes it. We've had our ups and downs with it but it comforts her and I love the closeness we get from it. The health benefits were what convinced me to give it a go, and I love that it reduces risk of SIDS (that one thing in itself is enough for me to keep trying). If she would take a bottle though, I would probably pump and feed her that exclusively at this point.

I pump and bottle feed, plus supplement with formula. I feed LO breastmilk because the milk is free, it's full of antibodies, I know what's in it, and there are many built in health benefits.

Because I am unreasonably stubborn and wanted those magical bonding nursing sessions. And felt that breastfeeding would help me bond to LO. Also, I always have my boobs with me, so it's more convenient for me. I didn't even think about the health benefits, TBH, although if it's better for his health that's an added bonus.

Also, I have a family history of breast cancer and was told by a geneticist that one of the best things I can do to decrease my liklihood of getting breast cancer myself is to have my breast do everything they're "supposed" to do.

I going to throw out my very most honest answer: because it burns extra calories and I need to loose weight! lol! Second to that is that it's almost no cost for us since I SAH for 1 year so all that money saved can be spent on my shopping habit ._.

Of course health benefits, easy of transportation and not having wash bottles etc etc etc. But every time I wanted to quit, I reminded myself that I was burning calories every day I kept making milk pushed me through.

Originally I wanted to breastfeed so that I could lose weight fast and to experience the bonding with baby that a few of my friends talked about.

After having the complete opposite birth experience (I wanted natural, no interventions but ended up with a C-section) I was more set on breastfeeding but we ended up having major latch problems. My milk came in but she just wouldn't latch so we supplemented with formula (after the hospital fed her formula in the nursery without checking with me).

Although it was trying and took my doula and an LC, we got the latch thing down and honestly it was so much easier to wake up and pop a boob in her mouth than to prepare bottles. She also had less tummy issues with my milk than the formula so I was set to continue.

Pumping at work is a pain the culo but we're going to make it to a year (she's 9.5 months).

@runsyellowlites: ooooh I like that- "breast is standard".

I'm convinced it is the healthiest option for my child- my body specially produces what he needs. It knows what antibodies he needs, the amount of fat Etc, I think that's pretty cool,

There was never a question of whether I would or wouldn't, always assumed I would since its the body's natural response to having a child, seems like the appropriate choice.

Definitely cheaper than formula and I love the bond DS and I share.

I was bound and determined to BF before LO was born, and I am so happy I was able to. I love the bonding experience, and that it is free! I know there are extra costs with a pump and nursing bras, but it is way cheaper than FF and more natural.

I breastfeed for a number of reasons. Mainly, because I feel like it's the best nutrition for my baby. Secondly, it has helped me to create a special bond with my son and that has been truly amazing. Thirdly, I have found that it's SO much easier than bottle feeding. This is my first week back at work and I am struggling to keep up with the routine of preparing bottles and bottle washing.

I have been extremely stubborn about even giving him formula to try. I may need to start supplementing (I am having a tough time pumping enough for his full day with his caregiver). I know that it would not be the end of the world if he had one bottle a day of formula, but I almost seem to be stuck on the idea of keeping his feeding as "natural" as possible. He is 3 months today and I am more comfortable if I needed to formula feed occasionally now than I was even a week or so ago, but I am still trying to only give breastmilk, either pumped or straight from the source.

The bonding, It's cheaper than formula, gives LO antibodies, no prepping bottles in the middle of the night, weight loss... I just always assumed I would.

I guess I'm in the camp of "assumed I would." I love the bonding I have with my son while we feed and know that he's getting good nutrition from me. I really don't care about the losing weight thing to be honest.

I'm still on the fence about the expense of it as I switched to Mother's Milk Plus recently and it's not cheap. It's helped my supply, so I'm less worried about it than I was recently. I hope to make it a year, but we'll see. Pumping at work is time consuming.

Also, my LO has gotten sick since he started daycare, so I don't see my breastmilk as the disease fighter that it's claimed to be.

For me it's almost entirely for the immunity and other health benefits, especially since he's an infant during the winter flu and cold season.

@regberadaisy: I'm not in the easier camp, but work from home occasionally. I find it easier to pump at home and work than at work. It's easier to set a schedule and not have interruptions or wait for the Mother's room to be free. With night feedings and wakeups, my husband pretty much insists that I go to bed when LO does (9pm) until the first feeding. It guarantees me a 4 hour block of sleep while he keeps an eye on LO. From 1-2am on, I'm in charge of the night routine.

At first just because that's what was common in my family.
Then as I researched it I've become super fascinated with breast milk and everything it's composed of and role in the body.
And now because LO is super attached to it and it's the only thing that seems to soothe her teeth coming in.

Initially my reasons were simply that it's normal, healthy for both LO and me, convenient, and (heck yes sign me up) free!

Now that we're in the swing of things it's much more about the special connection it helps to foster.

Because it is the best nutrition I can give to her, and because I have family history of breast cancer. It also saves us money although we so have to supplement with formula so we have a little expense there

Because of the health benefits for LO. I feel like it's what nature intended and I need to do everything I can to make it work.

It saved a ton of money and it's good for the baby, so I figured why not.

@cascademom: you have a mother's room at work??@Thehistoryofus: I guess all I was trying to say it's not simply pull out your boob and feed.
M's MSPI so I've been on a restricted diet since she was about 4 weeks and now at 9months pp have just recently started bring dairy back. And I don't even have it half as bad as some of the other ladies who have to COMPLETELY eliminate any traces of dairy from their diet. There's just a lot more that can go with it. If it was so "easy" everyone would do it.