Am I an uptight mother?

[NightOwlStacey]

Today there was a family Easter gathering at a pub and I was bringing our 3 month old for a couple of hours. It was arranged so some people could meet DC but really a bit of an excuse to drink. Some friends arrived too and I was there for about an hour and a half and left when DC was crying because of tiredness. FIL was wagging his fingers in DC face constantly and in the end I had to say "leave it for a bit" because DC was starting to cry. FIL was then angry that I wanted to take DC home to feed instead of doing it in the noisy pub and said I was being uptight but in my mind that long in that environment is enough for a young baby. FIL says I should have stayed longer and let people have more time with the baby. WIBU?

I realised too late with my first that overstimulation equalled an unhappy baby. My second really can’t cope with too much awake time at all and gets very stressed. You know your baby and you have to intervene sometimes for your own sanity.

It's people who think babies are performing monkeys there to entertain them. They do the in-the-face thing to get the baby to 'perform' for them. It's awful.

Oh god my mother used to make clicking noises at my children when they were babies. It used to give me the RAGE.

Against the grain here. I have a 3 month old. Take her in sling everywhere and feed her everywhere. Would happily do it in pub and she would doze in sling once she’d had enough. And cos she is in sling people can’t pester her for very long
What I would say is that first baby is overwhelming and I was not as relaxed with my first. So yes I think you are kinda being uptight but I understand why and we’ve all done it!

How can I tell the in laws to stop the clicking? They go right into DCs face and click really loudly whilst shaking their hands- it's horrible and I can tell DC hates it.

Get your husband to have a word with them. It sounds like your FIL was dropped on his head as a baby!

OP, tell them to pack it in as you dint want DC copying it.

I did same with my lovely dad. And he understood

If they dont, then remove baby each time, say sternly to them PACK IT IN FGS WE DO NOT WANT BABIES COPYING THAT IRRITATING NOISE and if you need to, go home.

You can train PIL to engage normally or believe me DC will copy if you aren't careful. Click and snap in their face and see how THEY like it!
JeeZ, they are idiots.

Baby isn't a dog!!!

How can I tell the in laws to stop the clicking?

Op, it's ok to be honest here. Why don't you feel you can be honest to protect your child from their behaviour?

You say what you said: "please stop the clicking now. it's horrible and I can tell DC hates it" (your words in bold)

Stop hinting or putting up with this, just tell them, calmly and honestly and repeatedly to STOP it for those reasons.

Practice in a mirror before if you think it'll give you confidence.

I'm going to tell them next time I'll just say they don't like the clicking! It's a bit sensitive as PIL think they don't see enough of DC (they see loads) so I try to tread carefully.

You did the right thing and your FIL is an idiot.

"It's a bit sensitive as PIL think they don't see enough of DC (they see loads) so I try to tread carefully." Well, you need to make sure they know they do see plenty of the baby and challenge when they are saying they don't. Start now being honest with them and making it clear you are the one who looks after baby (with your dh) and being horrible to you won't lead to more time with baby!

YANBU, you did the right thing, stick with your instincts now x

Click in their faces and see how much they like it. I feel angry on behalf of your dc!

nop, that was you being a good mum.

The first time someone put a finger infront of DS he bit it. He did teeth early though

maybe train your child to do this

No you were being nice to take the baby in the first place

Wtf!?. Is he the Messiah?

No he's just a naughty boy

Next time he tries clicking fingers in faces, get hold of his hand and bite it.