It's one of the great ironies of life: Something that should be so simple and so natural so often isn't.

Studies show many benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk contains disease-fighting antibodies that can help protect babies from illnesses. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, allergies and dental cavities. (Look, Ma, no cavities!)

Recently, researchers in Australia found that breastfeeding for six months or more was associated with better academic skills — in boys, anyway.

For moms, breastfeeding enhances postpartum weight loss and reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and Type 2 diabetes. Moms who breastfeed are likely to miss fewer days of work due to illness than moms who don't breastfeed.

Because breast milk requires no processing, packaging or shipping, breastfeeding helps protect the environment. From a practical standpoint, breastfeeding saves both time and money. And who couldn't use more of those?

Here's what our Mommy M.D.s — doctors who are also mothers — do to make breastfeeding easier.

"While I was breastfeeding my baby, I settled her on my lap on a Boppy Pillow," says Rachel S. Rohde, M.D., a mom of a daughter and a son, an associate professor at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and a partner in Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons in Southfield, Michigan. "I found it to be great to help prevent neck, back, shoulder, and arm pain from cradling and leaning."

"Also, I bought a mini-fridge and kept it upstairs next to my baby's nursery," Dr. Rohde continues. "It was handy for milk and also snacks for me."

"A lot of things that I thought would be hard about having a baby turned out being okay. For example, I really wanted to breastfeed, but I had heard stories about how it was so hard. It wasn't that hard for me, and I think that was partly because I was lucky and partly because I had good help from a baby nurse recommended by my ob-gyn," says Dina Strachan, M.D., a mom of one daughter, a dermatologist, director of Aglow Dermatology and an assistant clinical professor in the department of dermatology at New York University in New York City. "The nurse got me onto a schedule and helped me to use an electric pump. Pretty soon, I was making so much milk that our freezer was packed, and there wasn't any room left for food!"

"All babies are different when it comes to learning to breastfeed, even twins," says Ann Contrucci, M.D., a mom of twins and pediatric emergency physician in Atlanta. "My twins were born five weeks early, and even though my daughter was premature, she was born knowing exactly how to nurse. On the other hand, it took my son two or three weeks to figure out how to latch on."

"The best advice I have about breastfeeding is if a mom really wants to do it, then do it!" Dr. Contrucci continues. "Although it is a natural process, there is a learning curve for both mom and baby. With careful monitoring of the baby's weight and intake/output, it can be successful and very gratifying. Turn to your pediatrician, lactation consultants, and other moms who've breastfed for help. Contrary to popular belief, a working mom can breastfeed successfully, with some planning and support from her employer regarding pumping. As a bonus, it helps with getting the weight off!"

When to Call Your Doctor: Mastitis

Mastitis is an infection in the breast tissue. It's most common during the first three months of breastfeeding, but it can occur later, as well. Women who have sore or cracked nipples are more likely to develop mastitis. If you've had mastitis once, you're more likely to get it again. It's possible that tight-fitting bras can restrict milk flow and contribute to mastitis.

Signs and symptoms of mastitis are pain, swelling and redness of the breast, often in a wedge-shaped pattern; feeling exhausted and run-down like you have the flu; chills; and a fever of 101 F or higher. If you think you have mastitis, call your doctor right away.

Jennifer Bright is a mom of four sons, co-founder and CEO of family- and veteran- owned custom publisher Momosa Publishing, co-founder of the Mommy MD Guides team of 150+ mommy M.D.s, and co-author of "The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years." She lives in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. To find out more about Jennifer Bright and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: seeseehundhund at Pixabay