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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?

OP posts:
Just47 · 01/05/2021 14:58

@BlackMarauder I believe he is being honest as of now. But I'm aware mindsets can change and words arent enough security. He could easily wake up tomorrow and feel different and I put nothing past anybody even if they seem the sweetest of people because I've seen people switch first hand. I dont know if we will get married, as I said were both young. But it doesnt feel right for me to push that on him because I want the benefits.

OP posts:
PembrokeshireDreaming · 01/05/2021 15:00

I would be very worried that he is always going to be on at you about something..............what next weaning, clothes, bedtime, school.............

LittleOwl153 · 01/05/2021 15:01

Run OP. This has alot of bad feeling about it. He is messing up your breastfeeding by his constant bottle feeding. 3 times a day is too much - it is messing up your milk supply hence the leaking etc.

Please reach out to someone. Your parents, your health visitor someone who can help.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 15:02

@PembrokeshireDreaming this has crossed my mind but I assume not all parents agree with everything. It's more so the fact that once he has something set on his mind there is no talking around it. Its okay to have different opinions but I dont want to feel like everything will be a battle going forward

OP posts:
jellybe · 01/05/2021 15:07

OP so sorry to hear your DP is being a dick.

You are all your baby needs. You sounds like you are doing amazing well and I would tell DP bluntly that if he can't get on board with the breast feeding then he is doing a great job of it not being his problem anymore as you won't be living in the same house as him anymore.

Could you go and stay with your folks for a bit ( assuming they are supportive) or better yet can he go stay with his and give you some space.

BlackMarauder · 01/05/2021 15:08

Benefits? Girl someone needs to sit you down and have a chat you with about self esteem. Being a SAHM without the protection of marriage is foolish. He gets to have an unpaid nanny, cook and cleaner at home and you get to survive on his good will. Marriage protects you and your children should the worse happen. Even if you don't believe you deserve that protection, your DC most certainly do. To refuse that protection, is flat-out irresponsible. Why on earth would you create multiple DC and not care about protecting their future?

PembrokeshireDreaming · 01/05/2021 15:10

Parents don't always agree 100% on everything ..............but your dp is being totally unreasonable in disagreeing with NHS advice and wanting you to do it his way because someone on the internet says so!!!!

How are you going to continue to co-parent with this man.................have you agreed on vaccinations?

TurquoiseDragon · 01/05/2021 15:13

@LittleOwl153

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!

This. If you waant a decent supply of breast milk, drop the bottles. And giving a bottle before bed is NOT more substantial than breastmilk..

All babies are different, and so are their sleep patterns.

My eldest started sleeping through at about 9 weeks old. My youngest woke up for a feed until shortly before his second birthday. They were fed and treated the same, they were (and are) different people.

Ultimately, I think your DP is a wazzock, and if I were in your shoes, I'd LTB.
Just47 · 01/05/2021 15:13

It's actually pissing me off that he knows he is in the wrong for last and I'm upset but he isnt saying anything. Just happy to sit in silence with each other

OP posts:
Thehop · 01/05/2021 15:16

You’re doing a great job, tell him to do some research about all the good you’re doing his baby and bloody support you.

Just47 · 01/05/2021 15:17

@PembrokeshireDreaming baby has had all vaccines and will continue too. That at least we agree on. As I said we only butt heads over bfing.

@TurquoiseDragon I know our baby's sleeping pattern genuinely has no correlation to his feeding. Our baby usually sleeps well but occasionally he has a rough night. It happen. They are babies! He is going through a regression. It's like dp cant get his head around not everything has an answer. Sometimes babies do things. And a bad night doesnt equate to starvation ffs!

@BlackMarauder I completely understand that but as I said we are both young and my dp wouldnt hear me out and then go oh well yeah let's go straight down to the registry office then! I'm fully aware of how much of a vulnerable position I am in and it stresses me out. I have told him I wanted to move out with family to at least have my own and not be depending on him to house us but then he tells me I cant leave and should split dc from him.

OP posts:
Just47 · 01/05/2021 15:18

I also ( call me naive) would like to get married for loving reasons. Have a discreet proposal, get engaged, enjoy that then get married. Not feel like it's done out of obligation. That will inevitably lead to a divorce.

OP posts:
katnyps · 01/05/2021 15:19

Op think about it this way. He is trying to take something away from both you and your child, which neither you want nor is better for your child. If you want to 100% bf then you need to put your foot down, this is in no way unreasonable and is an area of parenting that you really do have more of a say in than he does. If he doesn't want you to, and refuses to listen to the HC professionals... why? It doesn't sound like he's stupid.

user1471462428 · 01/05/2021 15:20

Stop him bottle feeding 3* a day if you want to continue breastfeeding as he will mess with your supply. He also needs to paced feed the bottles so the baby doesn’t get stressed with the speed that the milk comes out when you’re breastfeeding.

BonnieDundee · 01/05/2021 15:23

think he would be happier bottle feeding. Aibu?

Haven't RTFT but from your OP I think you would be happier without the DP sabotaging your BFing

ForThePurposeOfTheTape · 01/05/2021 15:23

I don't think that the boob comment was meant light-heartedly. There's a lot of myth that bottle feeding means baby sleeps longer which means he maybe gets sex. No bf means no milk which means when he sees your boobs he can think of his own dick rather than boobs being a method of feeding babies. Weaning isn't the answer either. Solids have less calories than milk.

I suspect that when you're finished bf, he'll move onto something else.

billy1966 · 01/05/2021 15:27

@Voomster953

He sounds so awful.
Such a bully.

Please reach out for support from your family and consider moving home.
Flowers

disconnected101 · 01/05/2021 15:42

What if a professional spoke to him? Your HV for eg. He might take it seriously then. Is he ever at home when your HV calls?

BetterKateThanNever · 01/05/2021 15:50

[quote Just47]@BetterKateThanNever he feeds dc about 3 times a day. He spends most his time with dc. I highly doubt its him feeling left out and would be very surprised if that is the case! I hate that its lending either to a possessiveness over either dc or me. I honestly just thought he was being stubborn in thinking what he knew was best[/quote]
There really is no logic behind it then! How can you have adapted to parenthood and breastfeeding so well, yet he's the one having a hissy fit?! It's so strange that he's had this reaction, almost like he's jealous of his own child for being so close to you.

EL8888 · 01/05/2021 15:54

@SansaClegane l don’t know where to start with this either Confused

Wel done on the perseverance, l vote continue and ignore him. Why does he know best? Is he a doctor, nurse, health Visitor, dietician etc?

honeyrider · 01/05/2021 16:11

There's so many red flags here, I think it would be wise to stay with your parents for a while so you can have a break from his relentless shitty behaviour.

It's not a good environment for your baby to be exposed to such ongoing tension and arguments. I think it's a good thing you're not married because it makes it easier to walk away though going on what you've posted I'd be running.

Graphista · 01/05/2021 16:42

Frankly he sounds abusive and manipulative I think you and baby would be better off without him, some of his advice isn't just ill advised it's potentially harmful

He's never breastfed, he's not an hcp and he's going off crap on dr google!

I'd leave him just for his stupidity!

Well done for maintaining the bf please speak to hv - honestly - not just about the bf but your partners treatment of you in general. I'm fairly confident she will also suggest Ltb

As you mention weaning onto solids early baby is less than 6 months old?!

Waking in the night is NORMAL for many babies until around 8/9 months and some 1 year +

It sounds like he is jealous - not of the time you have with the baby but of the time baby has with you, he wants you to "belong" to him again.

I think given the way he reacted to your going to your parents he IS abusive and controlling and you're much better off without him

Oh op you are so vulnerable. Go home to your parents, he CANNOT use your mh issues against you and don't dare to let him think so. Millions of mums have pnd it's almost normal. You are not a danger to yourself or your child plus if you were at your parents you'd have support.

He is a waste of space

This is not "parents disagreeing" this is bullying and grinding you down - he knows exactly what he's doing

then he tells me I cant leave and should split dc from him.

Not up to him - you can leave with baby whenever you choose and I think you should

Nonononomaybe · 01/05/2021 17:07

It sounds like you’re doing a great job OP, you should be proud of yourself for doing something positive for both you and your baby.
I would advise that you tell your partner to fuck off.

gamerchick · 01/05/2021 17:16

God he annoys me just reading that.

Tell him to STFU and every time he criticises you'll be adding another month on.

billy1966 · 01/05/2021 18:09

@Graphista

Frankly he sounds abusive and manipulative I think you and baby would be better off without him, some of his advice isn't just ill advised it's potentially harmful

He's never breastfed, he's not an hcp and he's going off crap on dr google!

I'd leave him just for his stupidity!

Well done for maintaining the bf please speak to hv - honestly - not just about the bf but your partners treatment of you in general. I'm fairly confident she will also suggest Ltb

As you mention weaning onto solids early baby is less than 6 months old?!

Waking in the night is NORMAL for many babies until around 8/9 months and some 1 year +

It sounds like he is jealous - not of the time you have with the baby but of the time baby has with you, he wants you to "belong" to him again.

I think given the way he reacted to your going to your parents he IS abusive and controlling and you're much better off without him

Oh op you are so vulnerable. Go home to your parents, he CANNOT use your mh issues against you and don't dare to let him think so. Millions of mums have pnd it's almost normal. You are not a danger to yourself or your child plus if you were at your parents you'd have support.

He is a waste of space

This is not "parents disagreeing" this is bullying and grinding you down - he knows exactly what he's doing

then he tells me I cant leave and should split dc from him.

Not up to him - you can leave with baby whenever you choose and I think you should

OP,

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if your PND was exacerbated by him.

You have been utterly incredible to persevere as you have.

I honestly can't imagine how you have been so strong as to persevere with such a persistent bully.

So awful.

Please realise he is not a good man and pack up and go home.

If you haven't registered the baby, don't put him on the birthcert.

You are one strong woman.👏Flowers
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