Get ready for some outrage. The Reddit community is buzzing over a recent post in the AITA subreddit where a 23-year-old pregnant woman sought advice on a rather clear-cut issue. Spoiler alert: she’s in the right, and her husband is being unreasonable.
In her post, the expectant mother explained, “I (23F) am nearing my due date and discussing labor and recovery with my husband (24M). His family is visiting on their way to vacation, and while I want to breastfeed, he has made it clear that his ‘rule’ is for me not to do it in front of them.” To clarify, this soon-to-be dad is asking his wife not to breastfeed in their own home.
Some might think this could be manageable. After all, needing to “step away to feed the baby” is a handy excuse to sidestep awkward family discussions. However, the husband’s insistence that his wife must retreat upstairs every time she feeds their newborn is enough for many to label him as the clear antagonist.
“He’s concerned about making his dad and brother uncomfortable and insists that I should go upstairs every 1-3 hours to feed the baby,” she continued. While he offered to join her for these sessions to bond with the baby—an arguably nice gesture—it’s overshadowed by the fact that the OP pointed out, “I’ll be in recovery and need to rest. Climbing stairs that often seems impractical. I told him it’s about my recovery and bonding with the baby, and his family can just leave the room or not look if they’re uncomfortable.”
It’s evident from the comments that many believe the husband is not only misguided but also setting himself up for a tough parenting journey if he can’t understand that breastfeeding should happen where the mother and baby feel at ease.
“Who does he think he is, making rules for his wife’s breastfeeding?” one commenter remarked. Another suggested, “She should just tell him that her rule is breastfeeding wherever she pleases, but his family has to put covers over their heads if they’re that uncomfortable.”
The overwhelming consensus supports the mother’s right to breastfeed in her home. Many users suggested that if the situation is that distressing for her partner, she could simply stay upstairs and avoid the visit altogether. “If she doesn’t want to do stairs, let her stay and have everyone else bring her what she needs,” one user noted.
Others emphasized that new mothers shouldn’t have to host guests immediately after giving birth. “Houseguests right after bringing a newborn home usually just add more stress; they need to wait a few weeks before visiting,” another commenter added. There were suggestions for a straightforward solution: “If his family is that uncomfortable, they should go upstairs.”
It’s apparent the husband has some growing up to do. The OP didn’t indicate that his family had expressed discomfort; it appears he assumed they would. Even if his family were squeamish, he should be able to articulate that his wife needs to recover and that breastfeeding is a normal part of parenting, not something sexual.
One Redditor summed it up perfectly: “If you can’t handle seeing me in my natural state, don’t come to my natural habitat.” So, mothers, breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable in your own homes.
For related insights, check out this other blog post. Also, for authoritative information on pregnancy, visit CDC’s pregnancy resource. If you want to learn more about the topic, check out this site.
Here are some related searches you might find useful:
- how to breastfeed comfortably
- breastfeeding tips for new moms
- support for new parents
- breastfeeding in public
- navigating family visits after birth
In summary, the husband’s demand regarding breastfeeding is not only inappropriate but also reflects a lack of understanding about the needs of new mothers. The Reddit community overwhelmingly supports the notion that breastfeeding should take place where the mother feels comfortable, without unnecessary restrictions.