When to stop pumping?

[BeNiftyPanda]

Hey all! Sorry so much info but any advice appreciated
My baby is almost 4 months, we tried really hard with breast feeding but ultimately she was never able to get a full feed from BF. I pumped and BF regularly for about 10 weeks hoping she would get the hang of breast feeding but didn’t. At about 10 weeks I was finding EP was making it very difficult to partake in normal life activities so started to supplement with formula at times I wasn’t able to pump (generally in the middle of the day for baby classes/gym/etc). She will still BF probably once per day or every other day, or more if she is unsettled but she can’t be getting any significant amount from this she will get a little but it’s mostly for comfort- currently she probably has I’d estimate 500-700ml expressed breast milk per day and the rest is pre-made bottles of formula - I’d estimate about 400ml per day?
I feel a lot of guilt that i couldn’t exclusively breast feed her and I feel conflicted as to when to stop pumping, I really want what’s best for her. There’s very little evidence about combi feeding it’s more EBF v formula and I’ve struggled to find any evidence about benefits how long to continue pumping.
the pattern of pumping whilst I’m at home has become more manageable but from a selfish perspective part of me would like to stop so I’m able to re-start taking GLP1s ozempic/wegovy etc - this is mostly for aesthetic reasons rather than medical. Since giving birth I’ve hardly lost any of the baby weight and it’s really getting me down how different I am to before.
I’d like to have a plan but I’m unsure what to do- advice appreciated! Thank you!

You have done brilliantly! It’s ok to stop and prioritise yourself. Read this. You won’t be harming or disadvantaging your child by moving to formula https://parentdata.org/breast-is-best-breast-is-better-breast-is-about-the-same/

You've done so well! You could try pumping first thing in the morning and last thing at night, which kinds of mimics a baby weaning off the breast.

Thank you both for your advice and positivity.
@WonderingAboutBabies Once I restart taking GLP1 (ozempic/wegovy etc) for weight loss I can’t continue to give expressed milk you see, even a smaller volume

She's probably getting more than you think from those daily BF sessions.

I'd stop pumping altogether, it's a torture that just isn't worth it. She's getting a lot of the benefits of BF just from having a bit each day.

I'd increase the number of BF sessions while giving more formula as demanded.

You might find if you BF directly more frequently, your baby will increase your supply more effectively which will help you lose weight. It's worth a try as it's cheaper than the WLJ and good for your baby too

I found upping very difficult indeed and was much happier once I stopped.

The time to stop is when you want to

A full supply of breast milk is around 700-800ml a day so you are producing quite a chunk of that. Make sure to wean down slowly with the pumping or you'll risk discomfort and mastitis. As you reduce the amount you produce the antibodies are more concentrated so it's absolutely worth continuing with a small amount if that feels right for you, either pumping or direct bf. You've done amazingly to pump for so long.

*pumping

I had a very similar experience to you with attempting to EBF and pumped incessantly for weeks with little-no increase in BM and a huge toll on my mental health. Not to mention the time taken away from my baby to pump. I stopped pumping at 12 weeks, combi fed successfully until 6 months when my LO stopped showing any interest in BF. I spoke with feeding specialists, GPs, midwives, health visitors about combifeeding, stopping pumping and all of them were supportive that it was the best thing for me and my baby, who still got the benefits of BF and BM but the quantity they needed to grow via formula. You've tried, you've done fantastically well and I promise you'll feel a better mum without the burden of pumping hanging over you.

Your MH is way more important but I have an Elvie wearable pump this time and it's a game changer compared with my first. I usually bf or pump and he prob has a bottle of formula once a day too. He's a beast. If you want to continue I'd say try the wearable pump it's insanely good and worth every penny x

please don’t pressure yourself to lose weight. Your body just grew and birthed a human, and you’ve sustained that new little life with your milk. If you want to stop pumping, then stop pumping. But do it because you want to, not because you feel pressured to lose weight. Have you got any feeding support local to you? My HV team helped me to go from pumping /topping up back to breast. It can be done. But you can only do what you feel you want to do. Tshe it easy in yourself. Xx

Why do you think she wasn’t able to get full feeds from breastfeeding? I’m not trying to be rude it’s just I think sometimes people assume something is wrong when it’s actually completely normal.

@JayJayj between 2-4 weeks after birth she lost too much weight they wanted to admit her to hospital - I was able to get a full milk supply (as could pump sufficient volume) but she was never able to get enough milk directly. She had a tongue tie cut at 2 weeks but I think became too dependent on a bottle and even now at 4 months never managed to feed efficiently

• breast feed efficiently

That must have been so hard and scary.

If you are struggling then I would definitely start cutting down. Maybe 1 pump session a week just so your supply slowly drops without causing any issues or blocked ducts.

I completely get the mum guilt of it not going how you expected. I luckily have had no issues with feeding but when I went back to work pumping became difficult and I felt like I was failing her because I couldn’t produce enough when I wasn’t with her tide her to have. It’s all so emotional and difficult.

Its a different situation now but my daughter is 2 years 8 months we still nurse to sleep and at wake up but not loads. I the biggest I’ve ever been and even though I’m not huge for me it feels it. I’ve been using mounjaro for a month now and lost a stone. I’m feeling much better for it as I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror anymore. Pregnancy and babies change you as a person and it’s really hard getting to know the new me again.

I hope you are doing ok!