This is really starting to get to me. Sorry for the rant... So Carter eats a lot. He eats often and sometimes when he's sleepy he will stay on the breast for a while. I'm often tired because of the long nights feeding him, but I'm ok with it. I still function during the day, look after Erica and Carter, and keep the house clean. Things are going really well and Carter is growing like a weed! So why do people have to give me their opinions on this? My mom constantly says that I need to talk to his doctor because its not normal for a baby to eat this often, and that I need to put him on a schedule and only feed him at certain times. I tried to explain to her that feeding on demand is best for us and I dont mind feeding him often. But she constantly says it. Then a couple of people (one who doesn't even have kids) told me that I need to give him formula too so he doesn't bf so often. I tried to explain that he is doing great on just breastmilk and that he would still eat often with formula, just from a bottle, and that I'm not giving him formula. They dont really listen tho, just say "ok...do what YOU want.." Then last night my cousin (who doesn't have kids) was suggesting formula, and then went on to suggest that I start giving him baby rice. It took all of me not to flip. He is 7 weeks old! He is doing great on breast milk. So what if the kid eats often?! He's doing great. I dont know how to handle these comments anymore. How do you ladies get people to stop bugging you without sounding completely rude? I'm tired of everyone having an opinion on how I feed my son, and why he eats frequently.
Sorry rant over.. But seriously, how do you deal with it?

I thankfully live far from family. But we went home to visit a few months ago and had the exact same issue. Family asking why I don't just give formula. Because Emma would feed pretty constant and if she wasn't with me, she was fussing. They also tried shoving a pacifier in her mouth. I'm against pacifiers. We use it only in the car and that is only when necessary. I told my mother-in-law that I absolutely did not want her using a pacifier. We went on a car ride during that week and my MIL saw the pacifier sitting in the baby's carseat. She pulled it out of the car and shoved it in my LO's mouth and than pushed my LO's head into her shoulder to hold it in her mouth. My LO started CHOKING on it because MIL shoved it so far back. I was SOOO pissed but felt that I couldn't say anything because it's my MIL and I don't want to cause problems but I screamed at my DH about it later that he needs to get control of his mother. I am getting pissed just thinking about it now and it was months ago. So I guess I totally didn't help you out whatsoever because I don't know how to get them to stop either. LOL! I hate people telling me how to raise my daughter but I think there is really no way to stop it because people will say what they want to say.

When ppl say to you 'ok do what YOU want' reply to them and say 'yes I will bcos he's MY baby'

I get this quite a bit too ppl commenting saying that should give him formula or rice as he feeds quite a lot. He's a big baby and is obviously hungrier as a result. I honestly couldn't care less if my son fed all day with just 10minute mommy breaks once he is content and fed.

You baby is healthy and thriving - well done it's all from you and nobody else. Once your HV/GP and you are happy with his progress then nobody else matters.

I think Cleckner's right that there's no real way to get it to stop - ppl are always going to stick their 2pence worth in no matter what. I just ignore what they say but if anybody tried acting on it ie giving him a bottle if I wasn't around then the poop would very definitely hit the fan!! Sorry for rambling on - my advice would be to say to them 'thanks but I know what I'm doing' or words to that effect

That's just scary - how dare she do that. I would be spitting chips at that and you're so right to tell your OH to sort his mum out

he's still only little...my little girl fed about every 2 hours (more in the eve) at his age...it was only about 12 ish weeks that the feeding gaps widened and now its about every 3-4 hours. isabel is doing fantastically on breast milk alone and feeding on demand and is easily following the 75th centile for weight, lots of people comment on how chunky she is, yet my MIL still asked if we're only giving her breastmilk and suggested we top her up with formula!

i just now reply to people that i'm happy breast feeding her solely all the time she's happy and putting on weight and will not be giving her a drop of formula unless she or i decide otherwise... no one comments now!

i guess just be firm and say you do not dictate how others feed their children so do not comment on how you feed yours

double post

If they're feeding it's cos they need it. Theakston has only just started getting down to 3hourly at 4months and even then he cluster feeds morning and night. He's gone from the 9th to the 75th centile and I couldn't be prouder of him. Most people I know FF and they're the ones who are like "OMG I couldn't cope with that" but luckily no-one judges much. The HV told me he should feed four hourly to stop him snacking etc. but he's sorted himself out.

Smile sweetly, say "Yeah, thanks, I'll think about that" and move on to another topic of conversation.

Get's them every time. It ends the conversation right there. There isn't anywhere for them to go with it after that.

Everyone will have a view on what is wrong with your baby. Abby was crying in a restaurant today and lots of people told me what was wrong with her. I just smiled and said "yeah, probably" and carried on. I knew she was tired but there was no point in entering into discussion with them.

If you let it bother you, it will drive you nuts.

Just tune it out best you can love, you know you are doing the right thing for you. It is frustrating because there is nothing wrong with him, he is a newborn baby and they nurse a lot, frequently, all the time, it is just what they do. I know this, and you do too, but women who never nursed don't.

[QUOTE=Foogirl;3491810]Everyone will have a view on what is wrong with your baby. Abby was crying in a restaurant today and lots of people told me what was wrong with her. I just smiled and said "yeah, probably" and carried on. I knew she was tired but there was no point in entering into discussion with them.QUOTE]

why is it people do that? the amount of times isabel's crying and people tell me why yet they're wrong!