Reality TV star Jamie Laing has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a well-intentioned Instagram post celebrating his wife was branded 'insensitive' by mothers online. The Made in Chelsea personality, 37, shared a tribute to his wife, podcaster Sophie Habboo, 31, just weeks after they welcomed their first child, a son named Ziggy, earlier this month.
The Festive Post That Sparked Controversy
On Friday, Jamie took to Instagram to post a cheerful video of Sophie smiling beside a beautifully set festive table. In the caption, he wrote: 'POV: your wife is 3 weeks postpartum and still creates a magical Christmas.' While seemingly a tribute to his partner, the post was quickly criticised by followers, particularly mothers, who argued it set an unhealthy and unrealistic standard for women recovering from childbirth.
Many were swift to call out the post in the comments. One user wrote: 'This is lovely but also let’s not normalise post partum women being ‘superwoman’ it’s not normal.' Another added: '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 Divided Reaction From Followers
The criticism centred on the pressure it could place on new mothers and the curated nature of social media. One comment read: 'In my opinion this is not normal and a typical IG moment. To me, this is sadly only about people pleasing and not prioritising healing and true connections.' Others shared their own contrasting experiences, with one mother stating: 'My first Xmas when I was 3 weeks PP I slept most the day.'
Several commenters also questioned whether the couple had received substantial outside help. Suggestions included hiring caterers or chefs, with one follower urging: 'If you had a caterer (family members) helping please say so. Not detracting but keep it real for those not able to get near this.'
Amid the critique, a wave of supportive comments defended Jamie's intentions. Supporters argued he was simply showing appreciation for his wife. 'Why is everyone so negative, Jamie is showing appreciation to his wife who’s obviously done amazingly after 3 weeks of giving birth. That does not take anything away from any other mother,' one fan wrote. Another commented: 'Pretty sure Jamie is just showing love and appreciation for his wife, he didn't come to insult all other post partum mums it's not that deep.'
Post-Partum Retreat and The Wellness Factor
The debate was further fuelled by the knowledge that, after Ziggy's birth, the new parents checked into a luxury post-partum wellness retreat. Last weekend, they shared a snap from the £2,000-a-night Tenth Wellness retreat at London's Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park.
The retreat offers 24-hour babysitting services, allowing parents to relax, and provides three Michelin-star meals daily. Guests also have access to spa treatments, lactation consultants, educational groups, and post-birth massages. The room was equipped with a cot, nursing chair, and a hamper of post-partum products.
While the couple's access to such high-end support was not directly referenced in Jamie's original Christmas post, it informed the perspective of critics who felt the depicted scene was far from the average new mother's reality. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures of social media portrayal during the vulnerable post-partum period.
