It started the moment I saw her; I wanted to hold her close, protect her from the world, give her a glimpse of the magic all around. It continued when, as I nursed her, the doctor told us about her heart defect. He explained that she would need open heart surgery in six months.

All I could do was nurse her, give her all my strength, all my energy, all the healing my body still had to share. When the dark thoughts and fears would rise in my heart, holding her close was the only thing that beat the shadows away.

Months later, as I sat there in intensive care after her surgery, my milk building up painfully, I couldn't wait to take her in my arms again, hold her close and comfort her after her ordeal. I knew at that moment that when we nursed together again, I'd realize as much comfort as she.

Now she's 3 1/2 – weaned for about a year – funny, strong and well. We are expecting our second child. I can't wait to hold that little one close and share the gift my body has to give.

I always knew that when I had a baby I would want to breastfeed. I had my first baby at the age of 35. I decided that I would do everything in my power to protect her, nurture her, teach her, love her and keep her safe – no matter the sacrifices to me and my husband.

I know that feeding breastmilk is the very best thing that a mother can do for her child. When my daughter was born 18 months ago, we were not prepared for the news the doctors gave us: She would have to be in the neonatal intensive care unit for a while. She was on an I.V., and I couldn't breastfeed her for several days. When I tried, she wouldn't have anything to do with me. She was being fed through the tubes, so she didn't know that I was a source of food, just a source of love. She just couldn't do it.

I pumped and pumped and tried to get her to eat from a bottle at least. It broke my heart, I felt as if I were missing out on such an important part of motherhood, as well as giving her the best nourishment available: my milk.

After a few weeks, we had her home. She would take a nibble or two, but not enough to satisfy her. I would have to pump and feed her with a bottle. I pumped every two hours around the clock, stored milk, thawed milk, pumped again and again. I pumped to the point of sheer exhaustion!

At 4 months, my milk started to dry up. Once again, I cried! I was put on medication, but my milk just didn't last long without her nursing from me. With my doctor's kind words, I knew that I had done everything that I could have to give her the best nourishment for as long as possible.

I feel every mother should do what is best for her and her baby – no matter what the feeding option is. However, I am expecting my second child in October and I plan on breastfeeding this baby as well – no matter what it takes. (I just hope it is MUCH easier this time around!) I am grateful for the breast pump option. Without it, my daughter would not have had any breastmilk. Today, she is a happy, very healthy, precocious little toddler!

Long before I gave birth to my daughter, I knew that I wanted to nurse my children. I envisioned myself, in a rocking chair, my beautiful infant swaddled securely in my arms, nursing contently. Little did I know, this was not reality.

My beautiful infant – at least I got that part right – was born on the Fourth of July, 2001. She was not interested in nursing for three days. Every time I got her latched on, which was rare, she would suck once or twice and fall asleep. When we got home from the hospital, she decided she was very hungry. She nursed every hour and a half for six weeks. I had every problem with breastfeeding that a new mother can have: severe engorgement, clogged ducts, a sleepy infant – all in a days work for me.

I thought I was at the end of my rope. I had formula in my pantry; It looked so good to me. One of the major formula manufacturers sent me a bottle. I had made up my mind; my dream was dashed. I had failed. That was when that same formula manufacturer made a critical error. They sent me a brochure in the mail. More coupons to use, but also some important information that clinched it for me. The brochure said that infants fed such formula had almost the same I.Q. scores as breastfeed babies tested at one year. My heart sank. Almost. That one little word changed my whole perspective on what I could offer my baby girl.

After a few weeks, we became a breastfeeding team. Now I love my special time with my baby. She is almost 9 months old now and still nursing. When I think about the decision I made that day, it makes me very happy. I didn't want my beautiful infant to be an "almost baby." I want her to have every advantage I can give her. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Want to see more?

• Making the Most of The First Nursings
• Starting Out Right
• Sore Nipples
• The Stages of Breastfeeding
• Talk About It!