MODEL RELEASED. Breast-feeding. Sitting at a table outside a restaurant, a mother breast-feeds her 4- month-old baby girl. Breast-feeding is thought to be better than bottle-feeding because human milk contains an ideal balance of nutrients, as well as antibodies that protect against infection. Breast- feeding also provides the mother and child with a physical closeness that strengthens the bond between them. Some women, however, experience problems such as painfully engorged breasts or sore nipples. Engorged breasts can be relieved by manually expressing the milk, while sore nipples can be protected with a shield or treated with antibiotics if infected.