Stopping breastfeeding/exclusive pumping @ 7 months?

[Nyenoti]

I introduced the bottle (breastmilk) at 1 week old for my son. The idea was to share the feeding with my husband. My boy stopped taking the breast by 1 month and we've since been exclusively pumping.
I managed 6 to 7 pump sessions for the first 5 months. I have been struggling to keep up with even 3 sessions for the past month.

He's currently 7 months old and eats solids quite well, and gets formula when my supply is low.

I am considering stopping pumping. It's hard to keep up and takes too much energy. How important is breastmilk to an infant's immune system at this stage if they are also getting surplus nutrients from solids and vitamins from the formula?
Has anyone been in this same boat as me?

Hi Nyenoti
You've done amazingly well getting to 7 months so don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of people don't get that far. On the NHS website they recommend breastfeeding for 6 months, or longer if you can, so you have met the recommended time already. As long as they are having formula alongside their solid food, you are all good and they are getting all the nutrients they need :-)

Honestly pumping is the worst of all worlds and I am always amazed by anyone who can keep it up past a couple of weeks.

even though I’m a big advocate for breastfeeding I’d never suggest pumping, it’s such hard work.

so i’d stop and switch to formula. At this point the benefits of breastfeeding are far outweighed by the benefit to you both of not having to spend a big chunk of time pumping, sterilising etc.

I breastfed until 7 months and I'm happy with my decision to stop then. I'm pregnant now and I'll probably aim for the same with this one.