Fearless Teen Faces Backlash From “Traditional Moms” After Introducing SIL To Baby Formula To Ease Her Breastfeeding Struggle
Our narrator was an 18-year-old navigating the uncharted waters of parenthood without first-hand experience.
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Don’t get it wrong, she wasn’t a mother yet! Her brother and sister-in-law welcomed a newborn just 17 days ago, and the foreign world of diapers and formula seemed closer than ever.
OP hadn’t physically seen her new niece yet, but her brother kept her up to date with pictures. She was also brought into the loop of what was happening.
The latest development? OP's sister-in-law had trouble breastfeeding and their cousin, Rachel, pitched her tent there to help. OP wanted to offer help as well, so she assisted with a quick grocery run.
During the drop-off, OP walked into a scene that shook her to the very core. The house echoed with the cries of a baby and the silent struggle of a mother at her wits' end.
Her once bubbly sister-in-law looked like a character straight out of a zombie apocalypse movie. No shower, no sleep, and tears streaming down her face – it was a heartbreaking sight that stirred something within OP.
OP couldn’t turn a blind eye to the suffering; she immediately dashed off and came back armed with a can of baby formula—a revolution against this forcefully instilled breastfeeding fiasco.
She explained to her sister-in-law that using formula was also acceptable. Three days later, OP’s niece was well-fed and sleeping through the night with a belly full of formula, and her mom looked human again.
Unfortunately, Rachel and OP’s parents considered her act a “taboo”. They came at her for overstepping, but OP insisted she did what had to be done.
Was she wrong for taking matters into her own hands?
Let’s dig into the details
A bit of background
OP introduced her SIL to baby formula, which was a huge relief because she was totally drained from breastfeeding
OP ripped into her brother for allowing his wife get depressed rather than giving her an alternative to breastfeeding
Although SIL’s mental health improved, the family slammed OP for what she did. Apparently, a majority of family members believe she should have minded her business
Here’s how the Reddit community reacted to the story:
“NTA. You probably saved the baby’s life. Husband should have taken her to the hospital and they would have probably done the same thing.”
“You did right by helping your sister-in-law, in that state she couldn’t be the best possible parent for her kid.”
“Bewildering how an 18 year old with no experience raising babies has more common sense than multiple adults with multiple children.”
“The goal at the end of the day is for the baby to get nutrition. NTA, not even a tiny bit.“
Redditors applaud the narrator for stepping up, supporting their sister-in-law, and prioritizing the well-being of both mom and baby.
Wielding a can of formula, she shattered the walls of judgment and brought relief to a weary mother.
Even though the family won’t get off her back, the virtual community gives OP her well-deserved flowers. Cheers to this unsung hero.
Do you agree with this verdict? Let us know in the comments.