Hi I would really appreciate some advice on my situation. The background is that I've BF my DD for 6 months (she will be 28 weeks on Monday) and I'm going back to full time work on Tuesday. I haven't managed exclusive BF beyond the first couple of months (long story). She's had 50% BF and 50% FF since she was about 3 months old. I started weaning at 21 weeks on paed's advice and she's taken to it very well. She's having 3 solids meals a day, including protein at lunchtime. I've been easing off BF since she turned 26 weeks and am now just pumping once a day, in the late evening, and am getting about 4 ounces only. DD has been fine with the transition to more formula- no ill effects.
My question is: are there health benefits to DD of continuing to get at least some of my breast milk beyond the 6 month mark? I'm really having trouble getting hold of info on this. If there are benefits to her then I'm happy to keep pumping late at night so I can continue to give her even that small amount (while my supply holds out). TBH, if my circumstances were different then I would quite like to continue to breastfeed for longer. However, I'm the main breadwinner in the family, don't have any choice other than to go back to full time work next week, and I work very long and very unpredictable hours (e.g. business travel on short notice or no notice). So I just have to try and do the best I can by DD in these circumstances. Should I keep pumping?