I’m giving up breastfeeding

I think I have decided to stop breastfeeding, my little one is 3 months, my milk supply is really low and has been since the beginning but now it’s barely there. I just want reassurance that everything will be okay, my baby will be okay and I’m doing the right thing. I don’t have the mental battle in me to pump all the time to get a tiny amount out, I’ve persevered with that since the start and it’s taking its toll. I feel very sad about it, gutted, a bit of a failure and selfish but it’s just so hard. My baby is happy on formula and bottle feeding already as combination fed due to a rough start in life but I just kept breastfeeding too as I enjoyed the connection and wanted to pass through antibodies as I was so scared of him getting sick. I think I’ll still latch him for the comfort side of things for him and I like the skin to skin contact but I’m dropping the pressure for increasing milk supply. I feel rubbish about it and I know breast milk is great but I don’t want this to turn into a really bad experience for my mental health, I would like to try breastfeeding again with future babies and don’t want it to be a negative experience to the point I don’t want to do it again. Am I making the correct choice and will everything be ok?

Show your support

Lots of babies are fully fed formula from birth. You've managed to try breastfeeding for 3 months - that's a great achievement! Breastfeeding is hard and most people have challenges. You're not failing. You're doing what's best for you and baby. You can still have lots of skin to skin cuddles - maybe after giving a bottle to give a similar experience?

You are doing great, a fed baby is the goal and you also need to be in the best shape mentally for you and your baby. You have done absolutely amazing so far. If baby is happy with formula then that’s it. Baby is fed and happy

3 months is an achievement! You should be proud of yourself 😊 if baby is happy and it's better for your mental health to stop then you're doing the right thing x

How do you know your milk supply is low? Do you know it’s the major reason women give up breastfeeding and its not actually truth they have low supply? If your baby has been gaining weight and has plenty of wet nappies then you have more than enough of milk. You can phase out formula if you wanted to bring your full supply back. Either way the ultimate decision is yours 🙂

It’s okay to stop. It’s okay to seek further support and continue. It’s okay to make whatever decision is best for you and baby. Babies thrive on formula and a happy mum is so important. Best of luck with whichever you choose, all journeys are valid x

We did this, I had low supply because of latching problems. One side was non existent and the other was trying to do double the work so every feed was topped up with a bottle. Then it became she only wanted a bottle at day and breast at night and then it was the Christmas period when everything is chaotic and we were visiting family all the time she just refused the breast completely. It was been so much nicer the last few months not trying to get her on and having the extra pressure of trying to increase my supply or willing her to latch and stay on properly. It’s actually feels like I have a better bond with her because we can play more as I have more energy for her. ❤️❤️

My baby has been exclusively formula fed since he was 3 days old after 3 full days of him screaming and not being able to latch in any capacity and me crying a lot and having some really anxious overwhelming thoughts and he is thriving! He sleeps amazing and is growing like a weed! You are not a failure, in fact it sounds like you are putting your baby’s needs above anything else, so to me you are a great mom!! I promise there is still very much a connection between mom and baby that nobody else can ever touch even if your baby is formula fed!!

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