Influencers Abby and Matt Howard address concerning detail about newborn during family trip
Warning: this article contains discussion of baby loss, which some may find distressing
Abby and Matt Howard have responded to fans’ concerns following a recent family trip to Disneyland.
The influencers announced the arrival of their third son Fischer in a joint Instagram post in August. Abby, 27, and Matt, 28, are also parents to sons Griffin, four, and August, three.
The couple have built a following of around two million people across social media, where they regularly share updates about their parenting life.
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More recently, the family visited Disneyland, sharing photos from their trip online. However, one image prompted questions from some followers.
In photos posted by Abby, the family can be seen posing in front of the theme park’s iconic castle in rainy weather, with each family member wearing a poncho to keep dry.
However, the image also showed Abby holding the couple’s newborn son while wearing a poncho, prompting some fans to question whether the garment could pose a safety concern for the baby.
Some fans initially questioned where the newborn was in the photos, while others expressed surprise after noticing the baby being held beneath the poncho.
Abby responded to the concerns with a note shared to her Instagram Story which said: “Hey I just want everybody concerned to know that there are no sleeves on my poncho so there is lots of air flow up to the baby. Like a cover on a stroller. He was very safe as I was constantly wafting air and checking on him. Didn’t want the little guy to get soaked.”
In a separate not on the same post, Abby added: “Also mom shame is never cool.”
In another Instagram Story post which was accompanied with a selfie of Abby while holding her newborn, she wrote: “And yes, there is a difference between genuine concern to acknowledge a potential safety risk and mom shame. Some people need to learn the difference. I take my children’s well being very seriously and I won’t let that be questioned any more.”
The final response was accompanied with a picture of Matt holding is youngest son. The note reads: “And now we will be enjoying our family day at Disney.I hope you have a good one too!”
Tyla has contacted Abby and Matt's management for further comment.
The couple’s joint Instagram post announcing the birth of their son reads: “He’s here!!!! We have been soaking up every bit of this beautiful new chapter as a family of 5. can’t wait to slowly catch you all up on the past week of our life.”
Fischer’s birth came almost a year after the couple experienced pregnancy loss at 17 weeks in September last year.
Abby was pregnant with a baby girl and they had been attending a ‘routine pregnancy appointment’ when their doctor was unable to find a heartbeat. They discussed the heartbreaking moment in an Instagram post where they shared that their daughter, whom they named Emerson Nicole, had a ‘genetic condition that took her life.’
“The news felt unimaginable,” the couple wrote alongside a photo of them holding hands. “The grief is absolutely devastating. But we feel so much gratitude for the time that we did get to have with her. And we still have hope. Hope has continued to show up for us in so many ways.”
Six months later, the couple announced they were expecting another child in an Instagram post shared on March 24.
“baby #4 🌈. grateful beyond measure,” they captioned the post, which featured ultrasound photos.
In April, the couple confirmed they were expecting another boy.
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Topics: Social Media, Parenting
Greg Harris