The internet has defended a new mother after she breastfed her child at her brother’s wedding reception in a new viral post.
Published to Reddit’s popular r/AmITheA**hole forum, a man under the username u/swimming-exchange448 shared his story to the “AITA” community to get their opinions on if he was in the wrong for what he said to his sister. The popular post has 8,000 upvotes and 5,000 comments.
The Redditor began his story by explaining that his sister had just given birth about two months ago. He said that she breastfeeds everywhere she goes: in parks, restaurants and in front of family. He “lost his cool” when she decided to do it during the Reddit user’s wedding reception. The original poster (OP) is 34 years old and marrying his 23-year-old girlfriend.
He wrote, “During the reception dinner she just did it again. I kindly approached her and asked her why she didn’t bring formula or at least pump milk out and put it in the bottle so she wouldn’t have to do all this at that moment. She said ‘because I don’t have to. I feel comfortable breastfeeding. Getting milk out on my own is more painful.’
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5V5NMUWQVJGBTNQAGUT53AK4KI.jpg){kind=small}
“I said she could just make this sacrifice and compromise for one day instead of doing this in front of 250 guests on my wedding. She then said she can’t do much about it now, because the baby has to have her milk. I told her she should be more thoughtful of that then instead of completely embarrassing herself and us by doing this,” he continued.
In a post going viral on social media, the internet has defended a new mom for breastfeeding publicly at her brother’s wedding reception.
Drazen Zigic/iStock / Getty Images Plus
He told his wife about the situation while she snapped at him urging him to apologize to his sister. He also said that his parents are siding with his sister. He admitted that everyone thought he was in the wrong since he was the only one “who had a problem with it.”
He wanted to talk to her about it as he thought it was “bad etiquette and tacky” for breastfeeding at a wedding.
Newsweek reached out to u/Swimming-Exchange448 for comment.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding? According to Healthline, breast milk gives a baby essential nutrition, and also has important antibodies to help fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding a child can help decrease many disease risks including middle ear infections and respiratory tract infections, and helps to maintain a healthy weight for a child.
Some women cannot breastfeed for many reasons including illnesses, medication they’re taking and having a low milk supply, according to Romper. Many turn to formula, another good option. Some pros of formula feeding is buying one’s own supply; others being able to feed the baby; there’s no discomfort, leaks or sensitivity from breastfeeding; and more freedom and flexibility, per readysetfood.com.
The Reddit community praised the woman and slammed the original poster (OP).
“[You’re the a**hole]. Your sister deserves a hug and a thank you for making the effort to attend a wedding with a 2-month old,” u/IT_Librarian wrote, receiving the top comment with over 24,000 upvotes.
U/lkvwfurry said, “The only tacky person with bad etiquette is you. [You’re the a**hole].”
“Yes, [You’re the a**hole], I would figure that having your parents and wife tell you would have been enough, but some people need more evidence. Since you personally do not have breasts, you have no clue how painful or difficult pumping might be, so you’re a jerk for suggesting it,” u/big_bob_c explained.
“Oh, bless your heart. You’re really not mature enough to be dating a woman much less getting married to one. She’s breastfeeding the baby because the baby is hungry. And as far as pumping, do you think she’s just hauling one around in case some man can’t stand breasts unless they’re sexualized? Everyone thinks [you’re the a**hole] because you really are,” u/lizziebell2019 exclaimed.
