Three months ago, I gave birth to my daughter. Breastfeeding has been a challenge, but I’ve managed to make it work. My mother-in-law, who’s 59, has been staying with us to “help” around the house. I appreciated her support—until last week, when she asked me to pump a bottle of breast milk… for her to drink. I laughed, thinking it was a joke. But her face was dead serious. She claimed breast milk was full of nutrients and could help her arthritis and digestion. I was stunned. I told her no, firmly. She sulked and called me selfish.
I tried to brush it off, but the discomfort lingered. When my husband came home, I told him everything. His response? A shrug. “She’s just weird,” he said. That didn’t sit right with me. The next day, she brought it up again—this time asking if she could “just taste it once.” I felt sick. This wasn’t quirky behavior. It was invasive and deeply unsettling. I started questioning my boundaries, my safety, and whether I was overreacting. But the more I thought about it, the more disturbed I felt.
I turned to Reddit for clarity, and the responses were validating. People called it a massive boundary violation, even manipulative. They said I wasn’t crazy for wanting space from her. Some pointed out that breast milk isn’t some magical cure for adults—it’s designed for babies. Others urged me to set firm limits and demand my husband back me up. I realized I wasn’t alone. What she did wasn’t just odd—it was inappropriate. And my discomfort was valid. I needed to protect my peace.
Now, I’m considering banning her from visiting for a while. I don’t want to be cruel, but I need to feel safe in my own home. My husband still thinks I’m overreacting, but I’ve stopped waiting for his support. This is about my body, my baby, and my boundaries. If someone can’t respect that, they don’t get access to my space. I never imagined motherhood would come with this kind of confrontation—but I’m learning that protecting my child sometimes means standing up to family.
