'It's not all bliss': Weary mum shares a relatable photo of what her 'messy' life really looks like - and the snap is VERY different to the 'picture perfect' image parents often present

A mother-of-two has revealed what life in the newborn bubble is like for her
She said it isn't all cute photos and matching outfits - it can be very difficult
Maggie Cretien, 31, is breast feeding in the picture as well as pumping milk

By Belinda Cleary For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:16 BST, 21 June 2021 | Updated: 02:16 BST, 21 June 2021

e-mail

A mother-of-two's relatable post about what life in the 'baby bubble' looks like has been shared by thousands who have praised the refreshingly honest content.

In the photo Maggie Cretien, 31, from Melbourne, is nursing her newborn daughter Jagger on her right breast while pumping from the left, surrounded by her three-year-old son's toys and drinking cold tea.

The photo was taken by Maggie's husband Brad, 32, after the mum realised the scene fully encompassed her life in that moment.

A mother-of-two's relatable post about what life in the 'baby bubble' looks like has been shared by thousands who have praised the refreshingly honest snap

Maggie Cretien, 31, was shocked by the popularity of the picture

Maggie says motherhood, especially in the newborn bubble isn't all 'matching outfits' like the nice family photo above - and she is determined not to only post the highlights

'It's a lot. The newborn bubble is a lot. It's not all bliss and breastfeeding in a field of golden reeds with butterflies dancing around your head,' she wrote on the post.

'It's not all cute outfits and getting to finish that Netflix series. It's the small things. It's the big things. It's a lot.

'You are allowed to say that it's a lot. It does not mean you are not grateful. It does not mean you do not love your child. It does not make you any less of an incredible mother. All it means is that you are human,' she explained in a lengthy caption on the photo.

Maggie told FEMAIL she is proud of the post going viral and her ability to show the messy side of the newborn bubble.

'This is what motherhood looks like for me. It's messy, it's complicated, it's incredible,' she said.

The brave mum said she thinks her post was so popular because it showed the side of the newborn bubble people never share.

Maggie enjoys posting about her life as a mum and tries to be as honest as possible

'We don't see a lot of what goes on behind the scenes in that newborn bubble, we don't see the anxiety, the mess, the struggle - we usually just see the cute matching outfits with the baby asleep and parents smiling,' she said.

'This photo, along with the caption isn't the highlights reel, it's the everyday unkept house wearing the clothes from the day before and trying to remember if you showered kind of vibe,' she said.

'That's the reality for a lot of mums.'

What does Maggie wish she had known before entering 'the bubble'

⁃ Sleep deprivation is used as a means of torture, so beware, it's coming.

⁃ It's different for everyone and just because it may seem 'harder' for you does not mean you are failing.

⁃ Say yes if help is offered, you don't have to do it all.

⁃ YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH IS AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR BABIES. Go to your check ups and make sure you get your pelvic floor assessed.

⁃ Be honest with those around you about how you're feeling, nothing good will come from you lying about how you feel.

Maggie was shocked by the post's popularity, not because of the content, but because she wrote it on the toilet, when she was taking a quick time-out.

'I wrote it because I needed to get all these thoughts out of my head. I honestly thought I was so alone because it's a really lonely time for many of us,' she revealed.

'You don't want to sound ungrateful because you utterly adore this child and yet by voicing your struggles you feel someone may interpret that as you being a 'bad mum' which is extremely scary,' she admitted.

She was shocked by the amount of people commenting on her breastfeeding style, and on her choice to pump as well.

Maggie, her husband Brad and son Noa before the second round of the 'newborn baby bubble'

The mum will continue to post things from her every day life because she believes it is important to see more than the highlights

'Someone commented that 'breastfeeding should be pretty' which I just found odd, not sure if you do your hair and makeup to breastfeed but I don't.'

Maggie says she has great moments and not great moments in the new born bubble, which is why she believes it is so important to share.

This is something she never did the first time with her son, Noa.

'The difference between last time and this time is that I don't feel ashamed or guilty for acknowledging it's tough. And it is tough as well as being incredible. Motherhood is a roller coaster of emotions that I'm just trying to ride.'

More than 900 women commented on the Instagram post, with over 12k liking it.

What's Maggie's post in full?

It's when the sun is setting & a lump forms in my throat because I don't know what the night will bring. It's when she's crying hysterically as I try to change her & I can feel my heart beginning to pound. It's when she's sleeping but I can't hear her breathing. It's when she vomits out of her nose & I rush to put her on her side as she takes a moment to unblock her airways. It's when I put her in her car seat & worry that it's too tight or too lose. It's getting a beanie on her head & making sure I'm not too rough.

It's looking in the mirror & trying really damn hard to appreciate what I see. It's remembering to change my nappy, to change my pad, to change my breast pads. It's trying to find clothes that fit, that are comfy & that are clean. Its the fact that I smell & am sweating all the time. It's having to choose between eating, sleeping, cleaning or showering because I know I won't have time for it all. It's the dwindling of days that my partner has off before he goes back to work & trying my best not to feel jealous.

It's not playing the comparison game. It's not looking at the mums who already fit into their pre-baby jeans when I can't even fit into the clothes I bought for post baby. It's not looking at the mums who can brunch & sip coffee with friends when I can't find the strength to leave the house.

It's a lot. The newborn bubble is a lot. It's not all bliss & breastfeeding in a field of golden reeds with butterflies dancing around your head. It's not all cute outfits & getting to finish that Netflix series. It's the small things. It's the big things. It's a lot.

You are allowed to say that it's a lot. It does not mean you are not grateful. It does not mean you do not love your child. It does not make you any less of an incredible mother. All it means is that you are human. That you are human like me. Because it's a lot for me & I need you to know you are not alone in this bubble & that I promise you that one day soon, that bubble will burst just like I promise you that the sun will rise. And it WILL rise, just like you will.