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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what ridiculous things people have said to you in pregnancy/parenthood?

156 replies

GreeneryGrass · 14/07/2025 21:00

Baby #2 is due imminently and I'd blissfully forgotten about all the unsolicited comments you receive when pregnant / as a parent of a baby. What are some things you were told or criticised on?

Here's one of my favourites - when a (childless at the time) friend asked how I planned to feed my first baby and I said formula feed (lots of reasons for this, including mental health - very glad I did this), she told me the old chestnut "breast is best", to which I responded "fed is best!" And she disagreed. Then she went on to have a baby, breastfed then stopped quickly after as it damaged her mental health. Has clearly forgotten our chat as she tells every parent we see she's a "huge advocate for feeding your baby how ever you need, fed is best". Glad she's had growth but wish it hadn't been after belittling me!

OP posts:
BellaTheDarkOverlord · 14/07/2025 21:20

My dm:

”You’re just the vessel for my grandchild”

”If you decide to abort the baby, don’t. Let me know and I’ll adopt it.”

Shes got better though with me second thankfully.

My grandmother during my first pregnancy spent ever time I saw her going on and on AND ON about a baby in the family who was stillborn. Whilst it’s a horrible thing to happen I did not need it discussed as constantly as it was during such an anxious time for me.

Pickone · 14/07/2025 21:19

A man once tried to touch my bump and when I asked him not to he told me I "wouldn't be a good mother with an attitude like that".

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 14/07/2025 21:18

when I was around 8 months pregnant I got told I was both ‘massive’ and ‘tiny’ within about 5 minutes. Two different people - I think sometimes people just say things for the sake of saying something!

Yesyouknowit · 14/07/2025 21:16

“Friend”

Sure, sounds like two people who genuinely care for and like each other!

Pleatherandlace · 14/07/2025 21:15

I was surprised by how
many people asked me if my third pregnancy was a “mistake”?! My step mother told
me
sje was surprised I’d chosen to have three children because of “the environment”. Interestingly her concern for the environment does not stop her from taking multiple long haul flights though.

Bringyourfoldingchair · 14/07/2025 21:09

When I was around 8 months pregnant my mil looked at me and said "you're a large size". Completely out of nowhere...