Hannah, known as @nursehannahbh on TikTok, is adjusting to life as a mom of two, one month postpartum with her second child. She recently shared with PEOPLE how she’s navigating the challenges of caring for a newborn while also ensuring her toddler feels attended to.
“It has been an adjustment, that’s for sure! My toddler has had a hard time not having 100% attention all the time,” Hannah told PEOPLE. However, she added, “I would say the adjustment from 1-2 kids has definitely still been easier than 0-1.”
Earlier this month, Hannah posted a video on TikTok showing the aftermath of her first day solo with both children, counting 17 dirty diapers scattered around the house. The video quickly went viral as viewers watched her pick up diapers from the floor, staircase landing, and the side of her bed. “I promise you, I’m not even exaggerating, this has only been 24 hours,” she said in the video, admitting, “It’s embarrassing, I know.”
Hannah explained to PEOPLE that she didn’t expect the video to go viral, saying, “I don’t think I realized how many diapers I had changed that day. I just pulled out my phone and filmed a funny video. I didn’t think it was going to be controversial or attract attention whatsoever.”
Initially, the video attracted criticism, with some commenters harshly judging her for not tidying up more. “At first, the attention was 99% negative. I was honestly a little embarrassed,” Hannah admitted. But she reminded viewers that the video didn’t show everything happening in her day. “Yes, there were 17 diapers around my house, but they didn’t see me coloring with my son while breastfeeding my newborn at the same time. They didn’t see me taking my son to the park, pushing him on the swing while holding my newborn,” she added.
Critics also questioned why her husband wasn’t around to help. Hannah clarified that her husband was on a preplanned hunting trip, which she had felt comfortable with. “People have been really throwing my husband under the bus with this one. He was gone for one day. We both agreed that I could manage the kids,” she explained.
Fortunately, other moms came to her defense, sharing their own struggles and supporting her. “It was no longer people shaming me, but people sharing their ‘17 diapers’ moment as a mom,” Hannah said, adding that the outpouring of honesty and support meant a lot to her.
Now, Hannah hopes to continue sharing her story and fostering a supportive community for other mothers. “Being a mother is insanely hard but also God’s greatest gift,” she said. “At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade my ‘17 diapers’ day for anything.”