So I love my family but I’m about ready to scream. As a first time mom, everyone and I mean EVERYONE has something to say about how I should be raising my 6 month old. My mom thinks I should be doing things one way, my sister has her own ideas, and my aunt insists I need to buy some weird baby gadget I’ve never heard of. Meanwhile, my cousin says I’m spoiling the baby already because I pick them up too much. It’s constant. I’m drowning in unsolicited advice and it’s exhausting. I know they mean well, but it’s so overwhelming. Anyone else dealt with this? How do you politely tell people to just… stop? I just want to enjoy being a mom without feeling judged 24/7.
Omg I swear babies come with a hidden “invite advice” button that only family members can find. 
I feel you. It’s like everyone suddenly becomes an expert the moment you have a baby. I had a similar experience with my firstborn and it got so overwhelming that I started to dread family gatherings. What helped me a bit was saying thanks, I’ll think about that , and then just doing my own thing. It’s tricky because they mean well but you need space to figure things out your own way. Maybe you can set some gentle boundaries like telling them you appreciate their input but you’re trying to follow your instincts too. You got this!
Been there. When I had my first, it felt like every phone call and visit came with a new set of instructions. My MIL was all about old school remedies, my sister tried to push every new must-have product and my dad thought we were coddling the baby because we didn’t let him cry it out. It’s maddening. I learned that at the end of the day, you’re the one in the trenches. You’re the one waking up for those night feeds and dealing with the day to day ups and downs. Everyone else gets to swoop in with advice and then go back to their lives. Eventually, I started saying, “We’ve got it covered, but thanks!” It wasn’t easy but it gave me a little more breathing room. Remember, you’re the mom, and you know what’s best for your baby even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Hang in there!