Hi,

My sister, Nancy, has always loved being the center of attention. I’m 25, and she’s 27. We both became mothers for the first time ten months ago, with my son, Jack, and her daughter, Ella, born just three days apart. Nancy takes pride in breastfeeding and does so openly, while I prefer privacy.

Last Saturday, during a family dinner I hosted, Jack started crying despite being recently fed. Nancy asked, in front of everyone, if I had left him hungry. I assured her I hadn’t, explaining that newborns cry for various reasons, then went to the kitchen, leaving my husband to check on Jack.

When I returned, I was stunned to see Nancy breastfeeding my son. I was furious, as I’d said Jack wasn’t hungry and didn’t want anyone else nursing him. It felt intentional, as though she wanted to make me look like a neglectful mother and herself as the savior. When I confronted her, she said, “I was just looking out for my nephew. I don’t want him left hungry!” My anger led me to refuse her dinner, and she left. We haven’t spoken since.

Did I overreact?

Sincerely,
Sammy