How bad is it to stop breastfeeding?

Question

So I am a first time mom, completely planned to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months, breastfeed with solids, I hoped, for a year, maybe two years if she would let me. But immediately after birth my baby was jaundiced and the doctors made me supplement with formula. So right off there goes my beautiful plan. Then breastfeeding was SO painful, although the nurses and lactation consultants all said we were doing it properly, but I kept at it, though still supplementing with formula. Now I’m 3 months down the road, trying to pump at work — which is SO disheartening, as I’ll pump for 30 minutes and MAYBE get 2 oz total — and my baby is fed probably 70% formula and 30% breast milk. ☹️ NOW, the past few days, she doesn’t even WANT to nurse. I don’t know why, but she’s throwing a fit every time I try to breastfeed her. She doesn’t mind the breast milk if it’s given to her in a bottle, but she hasn’t wanted it from the breast...
    So my question is: how bad is it to stop breastfeeding her at 3 months? I’ve never been so engorged I was in pain (so that’s not really a concern to me), breastfeeding hurts, pumping hurts, I don’t get much milk, and now it seems my baby doesn’t even want to nurse. I WOULD be happy to give it up, BUT... I know there’s so many benefits to breastfeeding, I fully believe in it, but...how bad is it to stop? Like, honestly? When I Google it, I get either “power through it, it’s so great!”, but by the same people who are super gung ho about natural child birth (for which, I have to admit, I see absolutely NO medical benefit in suffering through) OR “Oh honey, don’t beat yourself up, at least you tried!” but maybe those people just don’t really know the importance of breastfeeding...? So I can’t tell where the medical, factual truth lies...
    My baby’s father is rather overweight, and I have to be very conscious of my diet and exercise to keep in shape. I don’t know if she’s genetically predisposed to be overweight anyway, and then formula-fed babies are more prone to obesity, so am I setting my baby up for a lifelong weight-struggle (and a lower-than-possible IQ) simply because it’s painful and inconvenient for me to breastfeed? You know? 
    Like, if it REALLY makes a big difference, I’ll obviously suck it up and do what’s needed for my little one. But if it’s more like, “Well, breastfeeding is IDEAL, but it’s not really that much of a difference,” then I’ll probably let it go...
    So any experience or factual feedback would be very much appreciated!!!! Thank you!!!!

Answer

Here’s the benefits of each extra month of breastfeeding.. I could only breastfed my oldest till he was 2wks old and my milk dried up. He’s now 9 has no health issue, is slim and very clever he’s gets straight A’s in every subject at school, proper little brain box. So I wouldn’t worry about that hun. 😁 my youngest son was breastfed till 3wks as I just couldn’t do it any longer. He’s 4 and slim, no health issue and very clever to. I also have a little girl she’s 12wks today and still breastfed it’s been a lot easier for me this time, so I’m carrying on. But if you feel like your can’t do it anymore then hun, it’s completely fine. my oldest had formula and he’s proof that doesn’t matter if babies breastfed or formula feed if your child likes learning then they will progress and do well in life. 😊

Answer

Well I stuck it up to now she’s going to be 4 months next week, but after going back to work (teaching) and missing my peeps and lunch bc I have to pump and realizing that she’s starting to drink more than I can give her we’re starting formula. My oldest daughter is 8 and reads and writes in a fifth grade level she’s wise beyond her age and was not breastfeed she’s a skinny tall twig. So I’m my opinion a happy mom means a happy baby and stressing about feeding baby in a certain way is useless. Good luck! 👍🏻

Answer

Even a tiny amount of breastmilk is beneficial and better than nothing, but if it's making you depressed or so it's probably better for you to focus on your health so you can be a good parent for your baby. I don't think it's hard or so to stop when you already seem to not pump so often. Take away one pumping session every three days or so (I've read that it takes around three days for it to regulate) until you don't have any sessions left.

Answer

Breastfeeding is very beneficial but you're not harming your baby if you switch to formula.
I'm a very firm believer of breastfeeding. All the research I read says it's plain better, healthier in just about every aspect for your child, so I'm breastfeeding as long as I can and I'm advising everyone to breastfeed and to support others breastfeeding. It's just so so healthy, physically and emotionally too! (I saw a great lost/summary already among the comments. It's a really good one.)
Here's the catch: if you, as the primary care giver, are in pain and generally feeling miserable, that's gonna have an effect too. Breastfeeding is only more beneficial compared to formula feeding if everything else is the same. If breastfeeding is a constant struggle, you're suffering from it, that stress is going to partially transfer to your child. But if you switch to a good quality formula and as a result you feel less pressure and are happier, it's just as good for your baby.
But, this doesn't give you numbers. There are no measurements attached here, you've got to make up your own limits. It's definitely not black and white, and there are no clear lines. How far are you willing to go? It's really up to you.
I hate the very permissive "it's alright, at least you've tried" kind of pat on your back. It's not alright. In a perfect world you wouldn't need to switch to formula. But, when you're crying over your pump for the third time today, can't remember the last time you peed without interruption and haven't slept more than two hours in one go in months, the effort you have to put in is killing the benefits. (This happened to my sister.)
If you can, fight for at least one breastfeeding a day. It doesn't seem that much but it you can boost your child's immune system surprisingly much!
+ there are so many other things you can do for your child's health, e.g. switch to a healthier diet for the whole family.

Answer

She is so cute! So maybe the problem is she likes the bottle more than the nipple of your breast. Maybe try a nipple shield? 
It’s a reverse situation for me, my little guy likes the nipple shield so much that he has no problem with bottles. I’m a firm believer in using a nipple shield to encourage nursing. It’s worked for me since day 1. 
Breastfeeding has over 100 ingredients that formula can’t recreate. You aren’t a bad mom if you don’t breastfeed. At this point in time I don’t think science can give you a 100% correct answer for your question. But I’m hoping I helped.💗

How bad is it to stop breastfeeding?

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