Interfering or me being unreasonable?

[WallyGal]

Im a first time mum of a baby boy (4mo). My MIL is a lovely lady but I've noticed some things that are grating on me and im not sure if I'm being unreasonable or she's interferring. Recently my lad started with teething symptoms which i have had under control with a gel. When she visited she told me to use calpol and i told her i dont really want to give him this until he's really suffering. She then proceeds to nag my husband who later asks me where the Calpol is. I told him no and and i know she was up to it. Also she gives him water when she has minded him and ive said i dont want him having it unless his stomach is upset. Am i unreasonable?

If it is genuinely under control with gel there's no need for Calpol, but surely your DP gets a say too? There's no need for a 4MO to have water unless medically necessary

He’s young to be teething, surely? And if it’s under control, how are the symptoms showing themselves?

She shouldn’t give him water if you have said no. Why did she do it?

Of course he does the fact is he's happy with the gel too. She was badgering him so for a quiet life he caved in

Its the early stages no teeth yet but the starting symptoms. Chewing fists, dribbling and rubbing his gums.She gave him water (warm) because she said he had trapped wind.

She shouldn’t have given him water. But if he was windy or constipated it often does help in bottle fed babies. So she might well have been right. But she should have asked first.

She is interfering.
If you told her not to give him water, it is not her place to give him water. It is rude. She thinks she knows best...
About the use of Calpol.. of course OP's DH has a say as well, but that's something for the 2 of them to discuss, and tbh any health professional would say that a painkiller is the last resource, if the baby is ok with the gel, then Calpol is not necessary. It is not good to have paracetamol often.

Babies present with chewing fists dribbling and gnawing as a developmental stage . It is not teething. Neither gel nor Calpol nor water are required. Talk to your health professional. MIL should not go against your wishes but she might have an opinion which sometimes is useful. You are free to ignore if not

So she doesn't he to mind him then.
My exmil said she would give my dc meat (being raised vegi), apparently what the eyes don't see the heart won't grieve over
She never had them on her own.
Job done.
Oh and your dh needs to cut the strings.

She is interfering and from someone whose MIL has done similar things I can only tell you it'll get worse if you don't put a stop to her overruling you now.

If your child is breastfed I've been told that it can potentially be dangerous to give water (told by a HV) as your baby will fill itself up on water with no fat or nutritious value.

My DS started teething at about the same age and he sprouted his first 4 teeth faster than other babies the same age. I completely agree with you wanting to keep the Calpol till it gets really bad (and unfortunately it usually does just before a tooth cuts). In the meantime, as an interim, Anbesol liquid is really good.