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Step Daughter Stares While I Breastfeed

brittanylprenticebrittanylprentice member
in Parenting
So my SO and I has decided to allow his daughter to be around when I Breastfeed (with the approval of her mother, who is sensitive about what her daughter sees). But whenever I feed the baby the 6 yr old gets very close and stares. I've fed in public and around others and it's been comfortable, but the staring makes me uncomfortable, like very much so. When I tell her she needs to go play she says "I'm just looking at you." I don't want to discourage curiosity but I feel like a show. We have explained what I'm doing and answered all questions.
How do I approach this, because she won't stop. She's even looked at me nastily when I've told her not to stare.
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Re: Step Daughter Stares While I Breastfeed

  • TheSliceOfLifeTheSliceOfLife member
    Sounds like something you should just ignore. DD1 was interested at first in watching me breastfeed and pump for DD2, but eventually the novelty wore off. What is your relationship like with this child when you're not breastfeeding?
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  • dufferoodufferoo member
    You are doing something that she finds utterly fascinating right in her presence, of course she is going to want to watch! I can see why she gives you dirty looks for calling her out, it seems kinda rude. If you want to keep your nursing private, then do it in private. And by all means, put a little more effort into loving that stepdaughter of yours. Geez!
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  • ilovemld1127ilovemld1127 member
    Just because she allows her to be around her while she breast feeds, does not mean that the step daughter has to stare at her while she does it. Imo, if it were me and my step daughter, yes I wouldn't care if she were in the room, I want to be comfortable in my own home, I wouldn't be comfortable with her staring at me.. It would make things awkward. Yes, she is curious, she's a little girl, but if op has asked her not to stare at her or go do something else, then I don't see the problem.. I would not have a problem asking my step daughter to leave if she were making me uncomfortable, but I would also explain WHY I asked her to leave.. Sometimes no matter how you ask, a child or another adult for that matter will pick up some sort of attitude.
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  • allrightmeowallrightmeow member
    ilovemld1127 said:

    Just because she allows her to be around her while she breast feeds, does not mean that the step daughter has to stare at her while she does it. Imo, if it were me and my step daughter, yes I wouldn't care if she were in the room, I want to be comfortable in my own home, I wouldn't be comfortable with her staring at me.. It would make things awkward. Yes, she is curious, she's a little girl, but if op has asked her not to stare at her or go do something else, then I don't see the problem.. I would not have a problem asking my step daughter to leave if she were making me uncomfortable, but I would also explain WHY I asked her to leave.. Sometimes no matter how you ask, a child or another adult for that matter will pick up some sort of attitude.

    Imo that would just be you, the adult, making the situation much bigger and more awkward.  She is 6 not 16. 
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  • estefyp4estefyp4 member
    First off it sounds like you don't have the best relationship with your step daughter as well as not feeling secure in your own skin .. although you say you've nursed in public but adults (for the most part) know not to stare.. as for your 6yr old step child - she seems curious about the situation only cause you've answered some questions here and there dosent mean she'll be less curious..why don't you have a conversation with her while your feeding that way she is looking at you and not just your nursing, as someone else suggested get her involved if you need a burp cloth ask for her help even ask if she'd like to help patting your baby's back.. you can also try reading a book which is beneficial to both children .. as for feeling uncomfortable that is all you I am sure she has no idea of the negative feelings you have as she's looking at you..

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  • Meagain31Meagain31 member
    ilovemld1127 said:

    Just because she allows her to be around her while she breast feeds, does not mean that the step daughter has to stare at her while she does it. Imo, if it were me and my step daughter, yes I wouldn't care if she were in the room, I want to be comfortable in my own home, I wouldn't be comfortable with her staring at me.. It would make things awkward. Yes, she is curious, she's a little girl, but if op has asked her not to stare at her or go do something else, then I don't see the problem.. I would not have a problem asking my step daughter to leave if she were making me uncomfortable, but I would also explain WHY I asked her to leave.. Sometimes no matter how you ask, a child or another adult for that matter will pick up some sort of attitude.

    She is 6! This is ridiculous.
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