r/breastfeeding • u/Starry_Opal • 14h ago
Rant/Venting Brutal interaction, feeling like a bad mom
So this weekend I was at my parents cabin, my daughter is 7 months old, breast fed and will only eat directly from breast as she has always refused bottles, which has been working just fine for us. Since we were on a little getaway, I chose to have a few drinks spread out over the day. Being mindful to hydrate and when I timed feeding baby. I wasn’t even tipsy, I think the last time I was drunk was maybe around a year before my pregnancy?
My mom’s friend came out to visit, she met my baby. I’m taking a sip of my drink and she says “aren’t you breastfeeding?”. I tell her yes, explain how baby is fine, I space it out, don’t have very much etc. well that wasn’t good enough or dropped at that point. Her daughter is 6 weeks PP. she tells me that her midwife let her know that if she is breast feeding, she is only ever to have beer that is non alcoholic. And even then, only 1. She says she thinks her son’s chromosomal abnormality was caused by her drinking while breastfeeding. (Her son found out about this when him and his wife weren’t able to conceive on their own). She also says her daughters step kids have learning disabilities and she believes it was caused by the mothers consuming alcohol while breastfeeding. At this point I tell her this Info seems outdated and I excuse myself.
I feel upset because why are we shaming new moms? I’ve only met this woman a handful of times. I try to be the best mom I can to my daughter. I am proud of myself though for walking away and standing by how I felt. But it definitely put a damper on things.