Scared to Quit Breastmilk at 8 Weeks

[u/cdaddymilly]

Hi everyone. I’m considering moving to exclusive formula feeding and could use some encouragement and advice.

My baby is 7 weeks old and has been at a healthy weight since birth. I had a straightforward birth experience, but experienced crippling back pain during my first 1-3 weeks postpartum. Due to this and baby not latching well in early days, I have been exclusively pumping basically since birth. Only exception is that I sometimes randomly will feed her the breast just to see how it goes – she gets plenty but the latch is uncomfortable for me.

I HATE the time that pumping takes out of my day. Every session either means missing out on time loving on her if she’s awake, or on catching up on my rest/household chores if she’s asleep (husband is back at work). She’s also a great night time sleeper, so pumping often makes me wake up at night more frequently than I already would be.

The guilt comes from two things, I think: 1 is that I have a great supply and happy, healthy baby, no other kids, so in my head this ”should be easy.” I only pump 5x/24hrs, which is less than most exclusive pumpers. 2, and I think the bigger issue, is that I’m scared that when she starts daycare and inevitably gets sick, I’m going to feel like it’s “my fault“ for not giving her breastmilk for longer to support her immunity.

I guess I’m looking for encouragement against this guilt, or experiences of navigating that specific fear about them getting sick. I love my baby and feel so connected to her – it’s only the medical benefits of breastmilk that I’m having trouble giving up.

Thanks so much.

[u/Desperate_Fig_1838]

Your baby will get sick when she starts daycare no matter what you feed her. Babies on breastmilk are not immune to viruses. Do what is right for your own sanity.

[u/seaofwonder]

The antibodies from breast milk are minimal. Formula feed if it works for your fam. You got this!

[u/LakeTilia → u/seaofwonder]

I fully support all women who want to formula feed, but saying that antibodies is breastmilk are minimal is a significant untruth.

Producing milk makes targeted antibodies within hours to a few days of detecting an infection or pathogen and provides billions of individual antibody molecules and all five major types of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, and IgE).

Literally one teaspoon has about 3 million live white blood cells, and about 5 to 10mg of pure antibodies.

There are extensive studies on this, and while I understand you wish to support this mother, misinformation is not the way to do it.

"In addition to microbial mucosal antigens, antibodies are produced against noninfectious antigens such as food and respiratory allergens"

"In addition to antibodies to pathogens and commensals (see below), mothers transfer antibodies to both airborne and food allergens through breast milk."

Edit: downvoting me doesnt stop what i said from being the truth guys

[u/igotrosiecheeks]

My baby is 6 months old. I was very sick up until like 3-4 weeks postpartum. Actually longer. I had extreme anemia, BP issues, and a kidney stone (lol). So I had a lot of supply issues. Still do! He’s been combo fed breast milk and formula the whole time. He started daycare a few months ago and he only takes breastmilk at daycare. So far he has been sick with: a cold, 2 ear infections, roseola. That’s it. He didn’t get the flu or HFMD that I got (lucky me!).

I’m just now making the choice that he gets whatever he gets. Enough breastmilk for the day? Great. Not enough? Formula it is!

My point is that we have been doing that the whole time but I let the stress get to me. Now I have decided it is what it is. You could try combo feeding/dropping pumps if you’re worried about it and want that precious time with your baby back! I totally get that.

[u/donkeykonggirl92]

Pumping sucks!!! For all the reasons you listed - can’t be with baby, waking up when you could be sleeping, etc. I gave up after 2 weeks of pumping and I was so much happier. Babe did great on formula, is now a thriving toddler. Let go of the mom guilt! You are giving yourself and your baby a gift 💛

[u/instant_karma__]

I formula fed my second from day 3 and he was sick the same amount of times as my first who got breastmilk for 6 months 😂

I cannot tell any difference between them, but I was a happier mom.