IL update: they're gone!
The saga and drama is over.
Thanks for all your support.
In a nutshell, they tried their best to help in the best way they know how. But they just wound up getting in the way and actually hurting my ability to bond and BF with baby. After having a meltdown after MIL didn't want to give me my baby to feed him (she wanted to soothe him, and after 20 minutes of enduring his screaming at the top of his lungs, I just grabbed him and stayed pretty much in my bedroom for the rest of their 10 day visit...)
Finally, last night she admitted that E actually knows who his mommy is and is much more peaceful with me. My Gfs think that E was overstimulated with all the visitors - plus he's fighting a belly button infection - and that's why he's so fussy and why my milk hasn't been quite enough for him.
We've been to the pedi 3 times in eight days now, to fight this infection. I wouldn't allow them to come to the doctor with me, and when DH was at work, I socialized for an hour and then BFed for 2. Rinse and repeat. They wanted more time with him, but so did I. ANd they wanted him to play until midnight with them each night. By Day 5, I put my foot down and took us both to bed at a more decent hour.
Should we do this again, I doubt DH'll push for his mother and sister and father to be there so intimately (as in living with us for the entire time.)
The good news is this: Today is the first day since E was born that I actually was able to take a NAP. I feel so so so much better. AND my milk has come in - FINALLY. Last, baby E is so much happier and less irritated and hasn't cried much at all today. that's very different from when MIL held him. When she grabbed him, he'd just cry and cry and cry. It was awful.
Now all I need to do is replace all the food they ate, and I'll be good to go. NO MORE visitors until December. Seriously. Turns out that I didn't need the help at all...
It's been a very happy Halloween. I feel like a new person.
Re: IL update: they're gone!
So glad they are gone and you and your baby can rest and bond like you deserve to!