This is in response to the letter from Linda Blais, “Breasts are for feeding babies,” that appeared in the Sun Journal Aug. 10. I completely agree with her that breast feeding is the best way to feed and nurture a baby.

It saddens me that a woman could look at an image of a baby at a mother’s breast and see that as gross. When I saw that very same picture, I saw it as one of the most natural, beautiful images in the world. As a daughter who was breast-fed by my mother, and a mother who breast-fed her son, I know firsthand of the health benefits of this ideal nutrition. My son, now 4 years old, has never had an ear infection, has never needed antibiotics and, according to his pediatrician, is in a healthy height-to-weight ratio.

Beyond the physical health benefits of breast feeding, it also creates a natural bond between mother and child. When I nursed my child, I felt an overwhelming sense of closeness and love knowing that breast feeding him was one the most important gifts I could give him to begin his life.

I am grateful that my mother also gave me this gift to start my life.

Ann M. Ward, RN, Leeds