There are many choices and decisions to make during pregnancy. One question is “Will I breastfeed/breastfeed?” » Many pregnant women don't realize that many other women have the same question. By engaging in the nursing lifestyle, they become part of a unique community, one that welcomes everyone and helps everyone. Once a mother chooses to try breastfeeding, she may wonder what it means to be part of the breastfeeding community. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a citizen is “an inhabitant of a city or town.” However, in many communities, being a citizen means much more than just living in an area. Being part of the breastfeeding community should mean being able to positively contribute to spreading the knowledge, support and benefits that nursing provides, whether you are a lactation consultant, mother, father advocate or average supporter of the cause. Becoming an active citizen in the breastfeeding community is absolutely by choice. Once a mother commits to breastfeeding, she makes a silent pact with herself to do everything she can to make it happen. It's like Benjamin Franklin's fourth virtue of Resolve from his Autobiography. He declares: “Resolution. Decide to do what you must. Accomplish without fail what you resolve” (28). To help make breastfeeding successful, many different courses are available. These courses are made available to the community through local insurance companies and hospitals, and they usually cost a small fee. However, participants gain invaluable knowledge about the benefits, future challenges and obstacles that come with breastfeeding. Once a mother has...... middle of paper ...... a diverse group of people came together by the same mission. They want to contribute positively to spreading the knowledge, support and benefits that nursing brings to their community as well as the world. Members of the breastfeeding community understand the remarkable benefits and incredible bond it brings to mom and baby. Therefore, they want to share and disseminate information to others. The breastfeeding community and its citizens want all mothers to have the best experience possible. Through determination, unconditional support and love, the best breastfeeding experience can be achieved. Works Cited “Citizen”. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 2011. Internet. February 1, 2013. Franklin, Benjamin. “From autobiography.” Compose a civic life. Ed. Michael Berndt and Amy Muse. 2nd ed. New York: Pearson, 2007. 27-35. Print.