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There is nothing wrong with not EBF. I never set out to do it myself. We ran into issues that made it pretty much the only option we had. But at 6 month my son hadn't gained enough weight (plummeted from 50% to 0.5%) and we did supplement.

As for the breastmillk vs formula, have you looked to see if there may be a lipase issue. I haven't had the issue but I have seen it a few places. Essentially the pumped milk has a bad taste and I think even you would refuse it. Some people have success after they boil (I think) the breastmilk after pumping.

As long as your little one is getting fed everything is just fine. If you don't want to give up the breastmilk than don't. Every bit does something (including bonding there was a post earlier about missing it).

Can you maybe mix the BM bottles and the formula bottles to help with taste? Are you nursing at all? Any BM is worth it!

I really struggled with not being able to EBF and feeling less of a mom as a result. Then I came to the realization that while the current push is to EBF and women are often made to feel less than if they can't/don't/etc in old times women struggled with EBF as well and didn't always have the options we have today. Once I thought about it in that sense I was a much happier mama. I ended up continuing to pump until DD was 12m and we continued to nurse until she weaned at 14m; during this entire time she was supplemented with formula.
I agree with @brownie about checking to see if it could be a lipase issue (look it up but I think the BM will have a soapy taste) and if not that then mix the BM and formula (this is what I did pretty much daily).

@Clementine: We supplemented from day 1 as well.
I have always wanted to EBF because we all know it is best for the baby.
LCs tell you oh colostrum is more than enough the first few days of their life. On the second night at the hospital my poor little girl would cry and cry; nothing we did stopped it. The head LC and head nurse actually came into our hospital room to see what was wrong. The LC swaddled her in a double and M stopped crying. 30 minutes later she was bawling like a banshee again. The LC came in again, she (who is total breast is best type) actually suggested we supplement via a SNS system. I was open to it because she's still sucking on the boob but getting food that my body was not providing her. M guzzled that down. The she finally went to sleep. I felt SO bad that my baby was starving and I could not provide and did not know.

All was good; we went home.

4 days old M started crying a lot, that night she cried for 6 hours straight. We tried everything. We even buckled down and gave her a bottle because we were so desperate. She would not take that either. Finally at 3am in the morning we rushed her to the ER because we were so afraid something else was wrong. Let me tell you, rushing your 4 day old newborn to the ER at 4 in the morning is not a feeling I ever want to re-experience. They checked her out and everything was fine. The nurse asked again if she was hungry and we said she just will not take anything. She suggested we try a bottle again. The nurse gave her a bottle and she guzzled 2 ounces in no time. We were following the LC's suggestion of supplementing 1/2 oz prior. We were practically starving our child, again.

When it comes down to it I just think M needs more than my body can produce. After those two experiences I realize that making sure she is full and properly fed is way more important than MY hopes of EBFing. There's nothing more important to us as mothers than their health and well being. However we get there.

Hugs and feel better! Don't let MIL dissuade you!!!

@Clementine: I absolutely agree with you on the inadequate part. Part of our problem was my breastmilk and it having dairy and soy and hurting my little man so much. I still feel terrible over 6 months later.

My kid also doesn't sleep and I can't get him to no matter what I do. I feel like I have failed right there. Daycare gets him taking 2 naps and she never has him CIO. I can't do it.

Then, I realize that daycare is good for both of us for that reason. I don't have deal with the sleep and he sleeps better. I still love him and he still loves me.

@regberadaisy: this has happened to a few of my friends! so scary one of my friends actually fell into PPD afterwards and was on meds for a long time...

I understand that EBF promoters want to encourage something that is wonderful for babies but it is not easy for everyone. Nor is it always caused by a medicated birth. It's wonderful that we live in a world with breastfeeding support and formulas readily available for you if you need them.

@Clementine: aww I'm so sorry you feel so bad! It's not your fault..
I'm sure you've heard and tried this, but one thing that really helps my milk supply is literally guzzling water. If I Drink a gallon or more one day then the next day I tend to have over supply.
Be proud that you can at least give your baby 1-2 bottles a day- that is awesome

I'm sorry, but just be happy your LO doesn't mind formula and that you have that option. I know there is pressure these days to breastfeed, but sometimes it just doesn't work out, you gave it a try and that is all you can do! Chin up, you are a great mom

Aaaw, don't beat yourself up about it. You're already doing a great job wanting to give him breast milk. You can also mix BM with formula if you still want to give your baby BM. And if it turns out that he just get formula, that's okay too. Better to stay sane than to be so stressed out.

@clementine: I just posted a "mom guilt" post yesterday because I've had supply issues as well. We had to supplement from very early on and I'm returning to work on Monday and (until this morning when I got 2.5 oz-woot woot!) I'd never pumped more than 2oz combined from both breasts. Most of my friends/acquaintances EBF but what I had to accept was that they were almost all SAHM's or very part time workers, there's no way I can dedicate a majority of my day at work to pumping, he eats so frequently and so much that I've never been able to produce enough to keep him happy. I learned (through here!) that 2 feedings/day is what provides your LO with the health benefits and I can produce at least that much.

You've made it longer than I have! My goal at first was 6 months, now I"m just hoping to make it to 2 months, just taking it week by week! Good luck!

@Mrs. Bee: that's good to know! i can tell my supply is decreasing. not sure i'll be able to make it to the 6-month mark!