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Original poster

Mother-in-law wants me to formula feed and let her feed my baby

384 replies

Artmumcreative · 01/05/2024 21:34

I plan to exclusively breastfeed and have had this plan since before DH and I conceived. MIL came over today when DH was at work and told me that I need to have a bottle and formula. She desperately wants to feed my baby (once she's born!!!) but I want to breastfeed and I always have wanted to. I have friends that exclusively formula-feed and that's totally fine, they have medical reasons for not breastfeeding, and I appreciate that some people don't want to or can't breastfeed. I feel like MIL wants to take over my role as my baby's mother. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 01/05/2024 21:38

She fed her own babies.

Now it’s your turn.

mdinbc · 01/05/2024 21:38

Of course you are not being unreasonable. You plan to breastfeed, and leave it at that. Be quite firm with her. Also get your DH to support you.

At some point you can express some milk to freeze and save for when you are going out; she can feed the baby then.

Iloveacurry · 01/05/2024 21:38

She’s done her mothering. It’s your baby, not hers. Do what you want.

tennesseewhiskey1 · 01/05/2024 21:38

Just say: no.

NewYearNewMeMamma · 01/05/2024 21:37

She has absolutely no say in how you feed your child - or anything else

AuntyMabelandPippin · 01/05/2024 21:37

Your baby, not hers.

CaveMum · 01/05/2024 21:37

Your baby, your rules. She can’t stop you breastfeeding but you do need to shut down her expectations now - just tell her that you plan to EBF for as long as possible and don’t enter into any discussion about it.

toastofthetown · 01/05/2024 21:37

Why on earth would you be unreasonable to feed your baby in the way you want?

lordloveadog · 01/05/2024 21:36

Say no.