This year I turned 40, and along with the realization that I’m now middle-aged (ack!) came some meditations on the life lessons I’ve learned so far (or not learned, as the case may be). As part of that process of introspection, I found myself wondering what I wish I had heard (and taken to heart) as a young man, and how different my life would have been as a result.

I decided to try to write a letter to myself at the age of 15 – giving myself the advice I didn’t have the ears to hear 25 years ago. From that exercise, I came up with a list of things I learned the hard way, and I hope that it serves to help some young man in his  path to manhood.

"Not only does breastfeeding save lives every day and in emergencies, but expecting moms need more help and to be better prepared to overcome insidious and systemic barriers to breastfeeding. The ad urges expecting mothers to find a support group, get expert lactation help, and choose hospitals and physicians that are truly breastfeeding friendly."