It started as a normal, peaceful afternoon. My mother-in-law, who had always been kind and supportive, came by to spend time with her new grandchild. She offered to watch the baby while I took a short break — something I was grateful for as a tired new mom.
But when I walked back into the room a few minutes later, I froze.
She was trying to breastfeed my baby.
For a second, I couldn’t even process what I was seeing. My heart was pounding — not out of anger at first, but sheer disbelief. I had never imagined I’d need to say out loud that something like this wasn’t okay.
I quickly stepped in, gently but firmly, and asked her to stop. The conversation that followed was awkward and emotional. I wasn’t trying to shame her — but I had to set a boundary. And honestly, I was hurt.
It wasn’t about the act itself, but the fact that she didn’t ask. She didn’t talk to me. She made a decision that wasn’t hers to make.
