To think relatives should be a bit more understanding

[user40816]

My daughter is 10 months old, fully in midst of separation anxiety from me (either chases me from room to room if she's free clearly worrying I'm disappearing, or goes into panic if she's in her highchair).

For the past 3 weeks, I've been looking after DD 24/7 with no support from family. Today, DP and MIL have returned and MIL particularly has immediately wanted cuddles and to be a satisfactory source of comfort, and 'telling her off' when she's not appeased.

AIBU to think that they should have a bit more understanding that a 10 month old needs some time to "warm up" to people having not seen them in a few weeks and that it's not justified to get stern with her?

YANBU. There's never ANY reason to 'get stern' with a baby.

Exactly my view.

Yep.

Who the fuck "gets stern" with a 10 month old? Shes a baby!

Who tells off a baby?? She sounds batshit. Has your baby not seen her dad for 3 weeks? Where have they been?

I'm glad I'm not just being an overprotective, sensitive mum.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz they've been staying with a dying relative who's not local.

YANBU. MIL also needs to learn very quickly that children are allowed to consent, or not, to physical contact. Always.

YANBu- sounds like she is using the baby to meet her own needs for affection and is getting angry when she isn’t getting it. I don’t think that’s uncommon. Quite self centred really

I've tried to explain this to DP - that DD is a human being in her own right and just because she can't communicate explicitly, her general mood or gestures should be interpreted in the same way you would words. That she's not an object to do with as you please, basically.

Absolutely right. When I was little I was forced to sit on relatives' laps or kiss them when I didn't want to. I absolutely hated it. One aunt gripped me very tightly to stop me getting off her lap. I got told off for fidgeting and had to stay on her lap.
I'm so pleased to hear that you're standing up for your child when she's still a baby. Children and babies are human beings with feelings, they don't exist for the entertainment of relatives.