Andy Steiner

If you’re an expectant—or a brand-new—American mama, these days just about everybody who knows what they’re talking about is gonna tell you that breast is best, that you should at least give baby-to-boob the old college try.

Breast is best, but I’m not going to lie to you: Breastfeeding isn’t always easy, at least not at first, and when you live in a country where a can of formula sits on the self at just about every corner store, you’ve got to be strong if you plan to give your baby the best possible start in life. And getting at least some breastmilk (lots, of course, is way better than some) is the best possible start for any baby.

This is where your ladyfriends come in. When things get rough, when you feel like throwing in the towel and picking up a can of formula, try calling an ace member of your Mama Advisory Board (see below), a gal who’s nursed her baby (or babies) for a good long time and lived to tell the story. Ask her to remind you why you’re breastfeeding this miserable kid in the first place. Ask her her to tell you why she stuck it out. Even though you already know this, ask her to list some of the benefits of breastmilk (stronger immune system, fewer ear infections, major mama-baby bonds, lower rates of some cancers for you, etc.). Ask her to remind you that you are the bomb for doing this, that some day—at least for a few brief, glorious minutes— you’ll feel like the best mama in the world for doing this for your baby—and for yourself.