One of my in laws asked me, while my newborn was in my arms, how much weight I'd gained during my pregnancy. So look on the bright side... there's weirder stuff they could be asking.

OP, I encourage you to have a second child. With my first, I got so irritated by everyone's comments because they felt like criticism of my parenting. Now with #2, I really couldn't give a rat's ass about any of it. I just smile, nod, and make silly comments like, "Yeah, I'd love to send dear baby off to boarding school, but DH says she's too young! What are you going to do?" It's wonderfully freeing, you should try it!

My inlaws do this as well. Sleep is a constant topic despite my DH and I never bringing it up. I don't know why anyone else cares so much how my DD is sleeping. My MIL was also obsessed with asking me how I was sleeping during pregnancy. She would literally ask all day how I slept the night before as if I didn't already answer her the first 29 times.

I wouldnt really overanalyze this. Its about the same as talking about the weather. I'm guessing you didn't have time to fill out a bracket and watch all 48 basketball games this weekend. They probably don't know what else to talk about right now.

Actually, I found that there were many people who seemed to always be asking me about the baby's sleep. People know that young babies don't sleep a lot and parents get really tired, so it's a popular topic. Just acknowledge what they've said, thank them for their concern, and then move the conversation along.

Anonymous wrote:My parents see my toddler about once a month or once every other month, and I post photos to a share site. They are obsessed with her hair and ask about it constantly, how much has it grown, etc. The other day on the phone my father asked if she had eyebrows. ?? So, yeah, your in-laws questions about baby sleep are totally normal.

OK, this makes me feel better! Like all in laws have a random thing they harp on for no reason!

OP here, good point. We probably engage them too much in the substance of what they're asking, instead of just acknowledging it like you say and moving on. I think they want to be helpful, it just feels critical the way they say it... but you're right.

My parents see my toddler about once a month or once every other month, and I post photos to a share site. They are obsessed with her hair and ask about it constantly, how much has it grown, etc. The other day on the phone my father asked if she had eyebrows. ?? So, yeah, your in-laws questions about baby sleep are totally normal.

Sometimes I find that when people keep repeating themselves about the same topic, they feel they aren't being heard. Paraphrase back to them, let them know they're heard and move on.

MIL/FIL: So Larlo isn't sleeping thru the night. That's not what Pierpont did. You must be a wreck with all those night feedings. I bet the pediatrician would tell you otherwise. And I'm guessing that a rocking chair would help.

You: So you're concerned about his sleep as well as ours and feel that something like a rocking chair would help.

MIL/FIL; Well yes!

You: Okay. Thanks. (then change the subject or get up and leave.)

LOL, good responses, thank you for some perspective!

I wouldn't put up with that shit. Cut them off, before it gets worse.

Of course - completely normal question - all babies really do is sleep and eat so there isn't much else to ask about. I am sure if they asked if he is cooing/smiling you would find that equally as offensive as you would take it as a criticism that he should be cooing / smiling more.

Don't take it as a personal affront to your parenting. You will be talking about sleeping and eating and pooping with all kinds of people over the next few years. Other parents will also ask you about the same things. get used to it.

Old people say boring stuff. And forget they asked, so they ask again.

They're making chit chat with you.

Is it normal for your in laws to solely inquire as to your infant's sleep habits? Saw in laws today and literally the only questions they asked for three hours were "Are you getting enough sleep?" and "How much is the baby sleeping?" Our baby is 12 weeks old, and like a lot of babies that age, he's far from sleeping through the night! Of course, we are tired. However, we're managing, and frankly sleep deprivation is something we expected with a child this age, and not really that big of a deal to us. It's a phase. We've read a ton of books on sleep and his habits are very normal for his age, and if we need to sleep train down the road, we know what the options are. Frankly, we're much more excited about all the other things he's doing, like grabbing things, wiggling, recognizing people, smiling, cooing, experiencing new sounds and textures, playing with new toys, enjoying outings and playdates, etc. Instead when we see his grandparents we get interviewed about why he isn't sleeping through the night, and suggestions ad nauseum about what to do (apparently, if we had a rocking chair, all would be solved!). Is this normal? Am I the only one who finds it incredibly annoying? Our son is well rested with a wonderful temperament, growing like a weed, and an absolute joy despite the fact that, yes, he's a baby and he still needs us during the night. I find it odd and increasingly infuriating to be interviewed every time we see them like I'm doing something wrong (do rocking chairs have nipples that can feed my son every 3 hours? if not, then I don't think they will help...).