Texts between postpartum moms go viral—because no one talks about this enough

Late-night texts expose the raw truth about postpartum life—every mom will relate

There’s a reason new moms text their mom-friends at ungodly hours: sometimes, when you’re up at 2 AM with a cluster-feeding baby, leaking through your last clean nursing bra, and questioning every life choice that led you here, you need someone who gets it. And for many moms, that lifeline comes in the form of a simple, unfiltered text message.

A viral video from psychologist and new mom Caroline Dickens, PsyD, with 1.4 million views on Instagram, perfectly captures this reality. She shared screenshots of texts between her and her bestie—who had their babies only five days apart—and they are as raw as they are relatable.

• “Best and hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
• “Good news! I have mastitis.”
• “Are your nipples ok omg.”
• “When he first latches I literally have to bite down on something to keep from crying.”

Related: Pampering postpartum moms shouldn’t be a luxury—how can we make it accessible for all?

The messages are a mix of brutal honesty and dark humor, and they’re striking a chord with moms everywhere. The reel has already racked up 1.3 million views and counting, turning the comment section into a virtual postpartum support group:

The reel has already racked up 1.3 million views and counting, turning the comment section into a virtual postpartum support group:

• @ll.ogannicole: “The crying at everything thing for the first two weeks was BRUTAL. I thought I was going to die and that my world was collapsing.”
• @johara_821: “Why is this conversation between me and my bff?”

@bibis_midwife_life: “I shouldn’t laugh but it had me in stitches. We need to normalize chats like this. Postpartum, breastfeeding, etc… legit, it’s a roller coaster ride!”

If you read these and nodded along, congratulations—you’re part of the club. The one where we celebrate the tiniest victories (Baby slept two hours in a row!) and survive the toughest moments (Why does breastfeeding feel like medieval torture?).

Having a mom-friend who can swap horror stories about sleep deprivation, nipple pain, and the sheer emotional rollercoaster of postpartum isn’t just comforting—it’s necessary. Research shows that social support can reduce postpartum depression and help new moms feel more confident in their parenting. Translation: texting your bestie about your cracked nipples isn’t just venting—it’s self-care.

Motherhood can feel isolating, but these late-night check-ins remind us that we’re never truly alone. So if you have that one person who texts back at 2 AM with “same,” hold onto her tight. And if you don’t? Consider this your sign to reach out, send the first text, and build your village—one unhinged, sleep-deprived message at a time.

Related: Putting myself out there to make mom friends was hard, but so worth it