Mom Furious As Mother-In-Law Demands That She Feeds The Baby Formula And "Dry Up" Her Breastmilk Because She Produces Too Much

Having toxic mother-in-law can be frustrating. In situations like this, the in-law may have problems respecting boundaries, continuously inserts herself into private issues and can be outrightly hostile towards you.

Roman Samborskyi / Shutterstock.com

When your spouse's mother constantly monitors your footsteps and judges your actions, it can keep you on edge. At times like this, it's a smart idea to ask for help, just like this woman did.

No breastfeeding

A Reddit user shared a story to the platform about how her mother-in-law was against her breastfeeding since her baby was born.

She has blamed everything under the sun on my breast milk.

Radoslav Cajkovic / Shutterstock.com

The MIL constantly insisted that breast milk was bad from the baby right from the moment mother and child returned from the hospital.

She was able to convince the new mom to start her baby on formula and as a result, the baby had latching issues.

She told me to ask my doctor for meds to “dry up” my milk cuz I had so much.

The mom said she eventually came to her senses and began pumping into bottles to produce breast milk for her child. She was also able to receive help so her baby could learn to latch again.

Konstantin Tronin / Shutterstock.com

MIL didn't let up despite all this. She insisted that whenever the baby cried, spat up, or got a diaper rash, the mom's breast milk was to blame.

Reactions

Several Reddit users shared their opinions about this woman's issues. Some gave her advice on the best way to approach her spouse's mother.

@BrandeP suggested that the mom should state clearly what was bothering her MIL.

We all know what is going on here, so start rubbing her nose in it. “MIL, look at you! You are so jealous! You need to stop being so jealous of me, for having a new baby.

Kristo-Gothard Hunor / Shutterstock.com

@Kiwitechgirl gave a cunning suggestion too.

I’d start thinking of the most ridiculous reasons you can to blame her and counter with - “no, MIL, it’s because you had broccoli for dinner last night.” “No, MIL, it’s because you went to Walmart yesterday.” “No, MIL, it’s because you watched insert show she’d be most offended by here last night.” “No, MIL, it’s because you have daffodils in your garden not tulips.” Extra bonus points for saying them with a completely straight face. When she says “what on earth are you talking about?” just say “oh well, if you don’t understand I’m not going to explain it” and walk away and leave her questioning if she heard you correctly.

@FryOneFatManic encouraged the mom to keep breastfeeding.

If you want to breastfeed, keep going.

Pavel Kubarkov / Shutterstock.com

@demimondatron offered support too.

I’m so glad you went back to breastfeeding! (If that’s what you want — not shaming mothers who don’t, of course.)

@recyclethatusername shared a fun comeback the mom could employ.

Here was my best breastfeeding comeback (to a JustNoPerson, I didn’t know them): “Jesus was breastfed,” and then look around like you’re about to tell them a secret and want to be sure no one is listening, then stage-whisper “and sometimes not by Mary!” Wet nursing, it was big back then, because bottles weren’t a thing. The horror when I open their tiny little minds to (not really)new ideas is hilarious.

Iryna Inshyna / Shutterstock.com

It was generally agreed that the mom shouldn't allow her in-law's attitude to discourage her from breastfeeding her baby.

Do you have any more advice for this new mom?