While the babies got enough nutritional value and filled up on formula, they were missing out on some critical natural nutrients that only a mother's milk could provide. The health benefits that breast milk can give to a baby are countless and research scientists still don't know all that it does for babies.

What they do know is that the longer a mom can breast feed the better. Here are just a few of the benefits that breast milk brings to babies:

1. A healthy immune system

When a baby is born, they are defenseless against sickness. With breast milk however, these babies can boost their immunity and are less likely to develop the problems that formula feeders have like ear infections, upset tummies and even respiratory infections. Breast milk has powerful antibodies.

2. Natural nutritional value

A mother's breast milk is laden with nutrients that help feed the nerves and power the brain. Studies are showing that breast fed babies perform higher on various tests and go on to excel more so than their formula counterparts. In addition, as a baby gets older, they need additional and different nutrients. For some reason, the breast milk seems to adapt to these changes.

3. Portability

No matter where a mother goes, the baby will always have a food source. Formulas create more work. You have to sterilize bottles, measure and dilute formula properly and keep track of bottles when traveling.

4. No upset stomachs

With breast milk, babies are less likely to encounter a substance that could cause stomach upset. With formula, babies are more likely to develop a stomachache, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments. It is those "extra nutritional value" items in formula that are the very things that can cause these stomach issues.

Breast milk is still an unknown quantity as far as the many nutritional components it has. Cognitive development gets a really big boost from breast feeding. There are also a number of diseases and ailments that are combated thanks to breast milk.

In addition, breast milk is known to be very beneficial to premature infants. With these little guys born too early, they need all the help they can get. With breast milk, they are likely to gain their strength and health a lot more quickly. The breast is definitely the best when it comes to feeding an infant.