With the frequent frustrations we deal with, it's fun to share something positive. While doing QA follow-up phone calls (always have to justify our positions), one of my patients share with me that she had entered the local WIC's contest for a breastfeeding essay. She won the Grand Prize!!! She gave permission for me to post it here: "It is worth breastfeeding my baby because: When God blessed by husband and I with the life that I had the honor of nourishing for 9 months, I made a solemn vow to give our new son all of the best I could offer him. It took 3 to make my baby, God, my husband and myself; yet I knew, it was up to me alone to give him the optimum beginning at life. From the start of my pregnancy, I knew I would exclusively breastfeed. I read a great informative novel and attended lactation classes and with my newly learned knowledge, I was convinced with giving Bobby, Jr., my son, “Liquid Gold.” No matter how painful I got with engorgement or soreness, I promised I would hang in there for my son’s benefit. He’s not able to make the right choices for himself, so I have to make superior decisions for him. Breastfeeding is just that and I plan on doing it for at least 2 years. And if he’s not ready to stop, then neither am I. Bottom line, from the moment I held my son (and he peed on me) there was an intense bond. Then when I nurse him, and he holds me and snuggles closer to me, I wouldn’t trade those moments in for all the free formula in the world. To see him gaze and stare at me and give little smiles even with his mouth definitely full, I know that it is the best thing ever. After all, that’s what they’re for. I love giving him all the vitamins and immunities that breastmilk ONLY provides. And knowing that everyday with every feeding, he receives the best food available, I, as his mother, feel I’ve accomplished much more than filling up a tummy; I’ve given my son excellent nourishment. Yet the best thing about breastfeeding is the closeness I alone experience with my boy. It hasn’t any price and there is no equal in the love that we share." Written by: JoAnn M. Toomey DeDe Vance RN, BSN, CLC from humid So. Calif.