Partial breastfeeding benefits

[TimefIies]

Can anyone point me to some info on health benefits of continuing breastfeeding, when baby is majority formula fed?

After a very difficult first few weeks of life DD has always been combination fed, and majority formula fed since ten weeks. She's now 6 months.

Breastfeeding can be difficult. We've never been the best at it (tongue tie, seen all the specialists etc). On average she'll have seven to ten minutes each side twice a day now, but a feed from both sides is usually forty five to sixty minutes duration, including fussing, on and off etc. she also gets reflux.

I'm trying to decide how long it's worth continuing breastfeeding. It's primarily for health benefits rather than any other reason. She happily drinks from a bottle, and presumably more efficiently, although you never know how much breast milk she actually gets (lots of supply problems early on, took thre courses of drugs to help supply). Sometimes she seems to enjoy breastfeeding, sometimes not. I'm wondering if she would be happier just formula fed than spending time trying to get her to breastfeed. The only health guidance I can find is on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Any pointers on the benefits of minority breastfeeding after 6 months?

Try here for benefits of extended feeding, or here for general info.

Kellymom always has lots of info. You could also get in touch with local breastfeeding consultants, through the children's centre or your health visitor.

Ultimately, it's what works for you and your DD.

Maybe try posting in the feeding section on here; there are feeding specialists who post on there.

Good luck

Oops, meant to add, she'll get the benefit from any breast milk you're able to give her.

following with interest.
Please may I just say that it's evident you have been good at it and you're a real inspiration. it hadn't been an easy journey for us either and we are combination feeding. I don't have any answers but I do know it's hugely beneficial for me. I struggled massively with the guilt over giving formula. I still think back to the early days over analysing what could I have done better. knowing I can give him just a little bit of goodness from me helps. I almost don't want to read any research for fear of how minimal a difference it makes. keep going if you benefit from it xx

Thanks for the info FireflyGirl. I have now found the feeding section too, and will post there.

MrsCK, that's so kind to say that. I know what you mean about over analysing things - been there,done that, still doing it sometimes, but did come to terms with it!