I saw a post from a lactation consultant on FB, I'll post it below. Some of the language is a bit cringe but it says what I wanted to say. If you want to breastfeed then being advised to just quit doesn't help.
There's a post flying around facebook at the moment saying that it doesn't matter how you feed your baby because they will still end up eating junk food. I. Am. Tired. Of. This. A week doesn't go by where I don't find myself sitting with a Mum who is crying deeply about how difficult breastfeeding is, and she really, REALLY wants to make it work, but the people around her keep saying "It's ok, just stop - it doesn't matter anyway." So many tears, every week. So much hurt, conflict, and pain. Women gritting their teeth as they deal with a painful latch they've been told is "fine", women weeping their way through stories of slow weight gain that formula has been prescribed to fix instead of decent breastfeeding support. Women told that frequent feeding isn't normal, that waking through the night isn't ok... and that formula is the fix. "Just stop - because it doesn't matter anyway." Let me say this really clearly. IT MATTERS.
It matters because of this pain. It matters because women are tearing themselves apart over this. They aren't being silly, or overreacting, they aren't being pressured, or sold lies about breastfeeding. They are upset, hurting, and feeling like they are falling apart because breastfeeding is important to them. Nothing else matters. Here's how it should go: "It's important to you? Great, lets find a way to make it work." I can't think of any other situation where the answer would be "Oh don't bother, it doesn't matter." In every other area of our lives we look for, and expect to find support for our choices, whether thats weight loss, getting fit, a promotion at work... but when its how we feed our babies?? Our innate desire and drive to breastfeed isn't important? Oh hell no. It is SO IMPORTANT. That's why we cry so much when it's difficult and we find ourselves against a wall of helpful people telling us to stop. Women (most women who start breastfeeding, not all) don't want to stop. They want support. It matters. Ok? If you want to breastfeed, you will never, ever hear me say "it doesn't matter, just stop." you might hear me say "How can I best support you?" or "what do YOU want to do?" or maybe even "How are you feeling about the formula top ups?" but I will never be so dismissive as to tell you this thing that is ripping your heart out doesn't matter. Because I see you. I see your struggle and conflict. And I know that it really does matter - that's why it's so filled with difficult feelings, and I've got you, Mama.