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AIBU?

To be fed up of dp critising my bf?

113 replies

Just47 · 01/05/2021 10:01

I'm a ftm. Since I found out I was pregnant i knew straight away I wanted to bf. This was only solidified for me when I had a bad birth and things got out of hand. I wanted to bf as it was something that I could control and make a positive out of the negative. I explained all this to dp so he understood. It was hard. Very hard. But I persevered and after getting through all the cracked nipples and pain I finally got there and I felt proud of myself.

But this is where it all kind of goes down the drain. Our baby is big, always has been. And from the start of my bfing during my dp has always been very critical. When dc was going through a cluster feed and honestly demanding food he made me feel like my boobs weren't supplying enough. Apparently I was the problem. Obviously being a ftm I thought maybe this was the case but when I brought it up with the mw she reassured me not (my boobs were literally leaking through). He bought me a pump and tried to push it on me, and couldnt understand or respect the fact that I wanted my baby to bf. Not bottle fed. I wanted that closeness and connection. It then became the case that every night my baby woke up he would tell me the baby is clearly hungry and again made me feel inadequate about my supply. So I let him give dc a bottle before bed and apparently he "sleeps better" so I rolled with it because a bottle is more filling and he gets more out of it than boob. I spoke to a hc about this and she told me with bfing the quality of milk is more saturated so even though feeds seem quicker the baby is getting plenty of what he needs (and he is he is a chubby one). Yet now its come to the sleep regression stage every night our little one has a bad sleep dp goes on that it's because he isnt getting enough to eat from me and maybe we should introduce him to solids (even though I've specifically been told to wait till 6 months by every healthcare professional.)

I'm just so tired of this constant battle and feel like my dp unintentionally has a put a massive downer on what I was trying to make a positive experience or myself after everything. It upsets me because I told him during the early stages maybe he praise the fact that I done so well with my bfing journey rather than always having something negative to say and he seemed to of had some realisation moment but has inevitably reverted back to his way. It always makes me feel like I'm not enough for my baby when I know if anything I oversupply. He even picked on the positions I did to feed my baby when he was first born as he thought I was causing him gas ( wasnt true) doing the rugby pose. I had a c section and he wanted me to feed little one facing upright which I could barely do as it hurt to hold him against my scar. I've also told him if I have a drink that I want to wait for at least 2 hours before I bf. I know some people may chose not to and that's fine but it's what i feel comfortable with. But he always tries to push me into bfing sooner and says it's fine and I'm being dramatic. It's my body! Let me bf how I see fit. As I said I dont think dp is trying to be this way. I gave him the benefit of the doubt that we are both first time parents trying to navigate and understand everything and think him confusing cluster feeding for my baby not getting enough to eat is reasonable. But now the new thing is baby should eat solids as my boobs clearly arent enough and I'm exhausted trying to defend my corner. Its put me off if we ever have another baby to try and bf. I think he would be happier bottle feeding. Aibu?

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reader12 · 01/05/2021 12:17

Tell him to support you or if he can’t do that, to leave. He’s being a total arse and you need to tell him exactly how his behaviour is making you feel. Don’t sugar coat it or play it down. Good luck.

Pinkflipflop85 · 01/05/2021 12:18

Was he an absolute dickhead before you got pregnant?

OutspokenNotThatFunny · 01/05/2021 12:18

He's an absolute bell end!
Carry on doing what youre doing you're doing a great job

Just47 · 01/05/2021 12:22

@reader12 I don't even know how to begin bringing it up. It's a dead end. He believes what he thinks is right so we end up in arguments. Its genuinely the only thing we argue about when it comes to dc. I've lost count of how many times during the night we have argued because he thinks dc being awake is due to my bfing journey. It's so insulting. I've brought him up on it many times and told him to stop attacking me, he apologises and now I'm in the same boat again. I'm just so deflated by it all theres no point. I dont want to argue. So I'm just not saying anything

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CharlotteRose90 · 01/05/2021 12:37

Honestly no matter what you say I think he won’t believe you need to get a medical person to make him back off. I also think he’s jealous of the fact he can’t feed baby but also that all your attention is on baby. Some dads feel pushed out. Maybe that’s why he’s hinting you to stop so he gets you back and feels bonded with baby. Can you pump into a bottle Aswell as bfing so he can do one or 2 of the feeds.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 12:45

@CharlotteRose90 he already does 2/3 feeds a day with formula as he believes giving dc a bottle before bed is more substantial than my breast. Then if I go out or have a lie in from a long night of bf he will give dc another bottle. I dont think him feeling excluded is the reason. And I dont think he is particularly bothered whether I bf or not. I just think he thinks what he knows is best and wants me to agree. Last night in another arguement about dc and me bfing he shouted "why cant you ever just listen to what I say" so that's that really.

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CecilyP · 01/05/2021 12:50

You’re listening enough to bring it up here to ask if YBU. Most other mums would have shut him down long before now!

Voomster953 · 01/05/2021 12:50

He is a nasty, bullying arrogant cunt. I have nothing further to add.

Voomster953 · 01/05/2021 12:50

Oh wait, yes I do. He’s stupid, too.

LittleOwl153 · 01/05/2021 12:51

Then shout back at him "why can't YOU ever listen to what I say?"

Tbh I'd tell him to leave you alone, that you are no longer discussing it with him unless he meets the health visitor with you and listens and takes on board why they say. He can question her on her credentials.

I'd also not allow him to take baby to his mother's alone as the baby will be fed solids without you being aware and he will come back saying he's done it and now it must happen.

Tbh I'd stop the bottles full stop - that would probably help the situation more than his crap!

LuaDipa · 01/05/2021 12:58

Last night in another arguement about dc and me bfing he shouted "why cant you ever just listen to what I say" so that's that really.

Because everything you say is stupid.

Jimjamjong · 01/05/2021 13:01

So you have to listen to him but he doesn't have to listen you? It sounds like he has no idea what the advantages of breastfeeding are in terms of nutrition, yes breastmilk is digested faster by the baby but this is of benefit because the baby has more nutrients to grow.
Would he listen a breastfeeding consultant?

Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:05

@CecilyP it's like talking to the wall though! I dont listen to him, I've continued to do what I know is right and bf. DC is happy healthy and big. I wont let what he says dictate anything when it comes down to my own bfing experience but it's just really daunting having to put up a fight about it. Then everytime he apologises and we move on from it until another bad sleepless night and he goes straight back to " see this is because dc needs solids. DC is clearly hungry." I'm at my wits end.

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Aprilshowersandhail · 01/05/2021 13:07

Could he have an ulterior motive for getting your baby off bf?

Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:08

@LittleOwl153 I think your right. I never wanted dc to have any formula. Dp could never understand why. I used to get upset if I left dc alone with him for a couple of hours to find he gave dc a bottle rather than come to me and he couldnt comprehend my reaction. But its because I wanted my child to exclusively breastfeed and he is ruining that! I hate telling professionals when they ask how dc is feed and say bf...minus the occasional bottle my dp gives so they then look at me like Hmm "so you mean combination fed?"

That's not what I wanted at all. I dont mind giving the odd bottle here or there if I need to pop out but somedays dc has 3 bottles and it really upsets me.

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ElphabaTWitch · 01/05/2021 13:08

You can’t drink and bf your baby. If you mean alcoholic drink.

TheWernethWife · 01/05/2021 13:09

I'd send him back to his mummy as she sounds like the fount of knowledge.

How can you live with such an arsehole, agree with previous posters I'd also not allow him to take baby to his mother's alone as the baby will be fed solids without you being aware and he will come back saying he's done it and now it must happen

I had my DC in the 70's and weaning early was all the range then, things have massively moved on since.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 01/05/2021 13:10

OP, is there my chance you could go back to your parents for a few nights? I’d be telling him his constant going on at you is making you stressed and it isn’t good for you or your milk supply so you need some peace and quiet.

A few days away might make rent-a-gob realise that the nonsense he is spouting is having a terrible effect on your relationship and on your own well-being.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:11

@ElphabaTWitch I know this! Last night I had one drink for the first time in ages. And told dp we should get a bottle ready incase baby wakes up as I need to wait 2 to 3 hours before I feel comfortable feeding again (going based off nhs advice). Of course dc woke up before then and dp had ago at me because I refused to bf! He said it's fine alcohol doesnt go into my milk and it wont harm dc. But I stood my ground and he reluctantly got up to make a bottle, not before banging the door to make a point. I dont see why I have to put up with this.

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NeverDropYourMoonCup · 01/05/2021 13:13

@Jimjamjong

So you have to listen to him but he doesn't have to listen you? It sounds like he has no idea what the advantages of breastfeeding are in terms of nutrition, yes breastmilk is digested faster by the baby but this is of benefit because the baby has more nutrients to grow.
Would he listen a breastfeeding consultant?

Probably not. Because they tend to be women, too.


He wants you to stop BF, to reduce the importance you have to the baby (it's much easier to get prolonged staying contact after leaving when a baby is FF). Continue - and stop the bottlefeeding altogether, because he's doing that in particular to make it more difficult for you.

He's not feeling excluded - he wants to exclude you. Which makes him a dangerous partner and an even more dangerous ex.
CecilyP · 01/05/2021 13:14

You can’t drink and bf your baby. If you mean alcoholic drink.

You can but not so much you’ll be drunk in charge of a baby! That is true for bottle feeding mums as well.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:15

@Wishihadanalgorithm I done this before as well. It was after an argument about him thinking dc needs solids after a bad night of sleep. I was exhausted and fed up of being ridiculed. I took dc and went to my parents. Then when I came back he switched on me. Said it was my fault for going and I made the situation worse. He apologised in the morning and couldnt understand why I didnt just leave it at that. Me going to my parents "made the situation unnecessarily worse" and he said it was like I went out of my way to do so! He also said it was my fault for going he didnt make me, as I was really upset (it was a special occasion) and I ended up spending it at my parents place alone with dc.

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Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:18

@NeverDropYourMoonCup I really hope this is not true. It's always been one of the greatest fears of mine as him and his family are quite overbearing and sometimes I wonder if they'd be happier without me in the picture with dc...

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user1471462428 · 01/05/2021 13:20

So let me get this straight he wants you to give up but won’t do his share of night feeding. My ex bullied me out of breastfeeding our second child who ended up mixed fed but at least he stepped up and did his share of night feeds. You are literally getting the worst of both worlds.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 13:21

@user1471462428 oh no he could think of nothing worse than to get up during the night and make bottles, as demonstrated by last night when he kicked up the biggest fuss after I refused to bf. If anything he said he is thankful I do all the night feeds

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