Influencer sparks backlash over 'insensitive' post about wife who’s just given birth
Made In Chelsea alum Jamie Laing had his 'first-time dad' bubble burst this week, by accusations that he is placing 'unrealistic expectations' onto mothers.
Laing, 37 - who has forged quite the career for himself as a popular podcast host and social media influencer since stepping down from the hit E4 reality TV series - announced earlier this month that he and wife Sophie Habboo had welcomed their first child.
The couple shared the happy news on Instagram on 4 December, with a photo of 31-year-old Habboo smiling sweetly from her hospital bed, holding her newborn tightly in her arms.
In the caption, she and Laing confirmed they'd welcomed a baby boy, whom they'd chosen to name Ziggy, adding of the tot: "You have our whole hearts."
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In the weeks since welcoming their new addition, both Habboo and Laing have shared several insights into their new life online, including this weekend, when the latter uploaded footage from their first Christmas a three.
The compilation starts with Habboo planting a kiss on her son's head, closely being followed by another clip, showing her laying an elaborately decorated dinner table ahead of the big day.
Laing - who married Habboo in a sweet Chelsea Town Hall, London service in April 2023, which was later followed by a larger celebration in Sotogrande, Spain - went on to pen a particularly gushy caption.
"POV: your wife is three weeks postpartum and still creates a magical Christmas," he wrote in a comment that has since been heavily criticised.
According to a number of 'mumfluencers', Laing's remark - which may have been intended as a compliment - sets 'unrealistic expectations' regarding what first-time mums should be up to in the weeks after giving birth.
"This is lovely but also let’s not normalise post partum women being ‘superwoman’ it’s not normal," one Instagram user hit out in the video's comments.
Another asked Laing: "Well done Sophie looks beautiful! But why didn’t you take over Xmas this year?!"
A third noted, 'Wow, this is crazy Work!', adding: "I hope she had plenty of support and help though."
"My first Xmas when I was 3 weeks PP I slept most the day," a fourth confessed.
In a fifth, fiery message, another agreed with the criticism: "I normally love your content, but this is an insensitive post and sets an unrealistic expectation/pressure on other new mothers.
"Not everyone has the money, resources and support to be able to do this."
A sixth added: "This is super unrealistic and contributes to a problem that causes post-partum women to suffer. This should not be the priority at all and the suggestion or idea that it should be is part of the problem."
They went on to beg Laing: "Let the gal rest and snuggle with the baby, let her eat to her hearts content so she can raise a human that is nourished physically and emotionally."
A number of fans chimed in to defend Laing, with one demanding: "Why is everyone so negative, Jamie is showing appreciation to his wife who’s obviously done amazingly after 3weeks of giving birth.
"That does not take anything away from any other mother who’s not doing these things."
Another continued: "Nice to see you celebrating her @jamielaing it’s very important that she feels appreciated in this time she’s doing amazing and the definition superwoman truly fits her."
A third also claimed: "Pretty sure Jamie is just showing love and appreciation for his wife, he didn;t come to insult all other post partum mums its not that deep."
Topics: Celebrity, Made In Chelsea, Parenting, Social Media, UK News, Pregnancy, Health
Rhianna Benson