Why Chrissy Teigen is copping flack over hiring a ‘night nurse’ when her baby is born

CHRISSY Teigen is used to being judged. But the reaction to her hiring a ‘night nurse’ after her baby is born was out of control.

CHRISSY Teigen is used to being judged. After all, which model who’s appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated hasn’t been subjected to a bit of finger pointing?

But, like thousands of women around the globe, Chrissy is about to enter an area of the biggest judgment — motherhood. In a recent interview for US Weekly she was asked about the best parenting advice she’s received to date and she answered “The recommendation of a night nurse! It’s pretty unanimous. Everyone was like, ‘If you can do it, do it.’ So we’re going for it!”.

Now whatever your thoughts on night nurses are I am not sure how Chrissie Teigan and her husband John Legend hiring someone to help them with their new baby during the night is an issue for anyone.

It won’t affect your own child, it won’t change the way society runs and in all honesty it’s none of our business.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend pictured at last week’s Grammy Awards. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

But Chrissy is a celebrity and so she’s meant to answer to critics who say things like:

"Night nurse" for your baby's feedings and diaper changes. How awfulTake care of your baby. You'll never get that time back. @chrissyteigen

— Alyshia Sample (@Alysh_mos) February 20, 2016

Being forthright (and frankly quite fabulous) Chrissie hit back at US Weekly for creating an issue with a headline that was instantly provocative.

@usweekly ...know it will make me look like a poor, uncaring mother and get people talking. Awesome. Doesn't go unnoticed.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 20, 2016

And she’s clearly aware of what’s to come with tweets like this one getting ahead of the haters:

I just held a tiny baby of sleepy mush and I'm just prepping you for "chrissy teigen holds baby stupidly" article. She was nuzzly and happy!

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 18, 2016

Reading the story as it unfolds on social media it’s clear to anyone who’s being objective that it doesn’t matter what the couple do with their baby. They’re not breaking any laws, they’re not planning to abuse or harm their baby or anyone else’s — they’re just planning to get a little bit of help.

Imagine having to defend every decision you make with your as yet unborn baby, imagine having to describe to the media how you intend to raise your child and exactly where you will be spending your money.

Yes, it is the burden of celebrity that you are under public scrutiny and putting yourself in the news by sharing those details with the world increases the strength of that spotlight. But you have to wonder why it concerns people so much.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend looking gorgeous at the Grammy after-party. Picture: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Perhaps we believe that motherhood is the ultimate leveller and even if we’ll never be on the cover of a magazine or have millions of followers on social media, we know what it’s like to be a parent. It’s our chance to show people like Chrissie Teigen up. Show them that we can do what she’s doing and we can do it better.

The truth is that we probably don’t know how the mum next door gets through the night with her newborn, we don’t know how the woman up the road is raising her child and even our best friends don’t share every detail of their parenting journey with us. We know that they love their kids and are doing what they think is best and that’s all that matters.

Every new parent deserves support and respect for the decisions they make. Even if they can afford the help we can’t.

We wish the happy couple all the best. Picture: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Lana Hirschowitz is a blogger, writer and reforming toast lover. You can follow her on Facebook.

Originally published as Why Chrissy Teigen is copping flack over hiring a ‘night nurse’ when her baby is born