Human infants, at the time of their birth, are incredibly dependent creatures. Significant steps must be taken to ensure they receive the adequate nutrients they need to become healthy, fully functioning adults. The means by which infants receive these nutrients is most often through breastfeeding. The intimate relationship between mother and child that exists in the womb is maintained after birth through breastfeeding. A mother's choice to breastfeed her child has many serious implications – both for herself and for her offspring. The physiological consequences of breastfeeding on mother and child are undeniable. Breastfeeding directly and positively affects the physical development of the infant, while improving the development of cognitive abilities. These implications extend not only to maternal and child health, but also to cultural and societal norms and values. Whether or not a mother decides to breastfeed can affect the culture she comes from, as well as that culture having a profound effect on her breastfeeding habits. A mother's choice to breastfeed is affected by the relationships she has with the people around her, as well as the relationship she has with society at large. A given culture may interpret in different ways how long a mother should breastfeed, and when and where it is acceptable for her to do so. Conversely, a mother's decision to breastfeed has an effect on the culture to which she belongs. By directly impacting the relationship between mother and child, it can change the infant's perception of the world, effectively shaping an entire culture. the breastfeeding mother will not have periods. The reduction in the abundance of periods is also one of the advantages of breastfeeding. As mentioned above, during the breastfeeding process, it is common for a mother to miss her period. However, if she's having her period, it tends to be much lighter than if she wasn't breastfeeding. This is also another example of how intuitive a woman's body can be. When a woman is on her period, she is likely to become exhausted more easily, as her uterus is shedding its lining and she is secreting significant amounts of nutrients in the form of menstrual blood. This reduced menstruation allows a mother to maintain a higher energy level (given that there are no other external factors affecting energy levels), allowing her to pay adequate attention to her needy and developing offspring..