Influencer Abby Howard is shutting down mom-shamers by clarifying the difference between showing genuine concern and being judgmental.
“Hey I just want everybody concerned to know that there are no sleeves on my poncho so there is lots of air flow up to the baby,” Howard, 27, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, October 13, after fans questioned the safety of the content creator wearing a plastic poncho while her 7-week-old son, Fischer, was strapped to her chest underneath the garment during a recent trip to Disney.
Howard continued, “Like a cover on a stroller. he was very safe as I was constantly wafting air and checking on him. Didn’t want the little guy to get soaked. 👍🏼 ❤️. Also mom shame is never cool ✌️.”
In a follow-up post, she added, “And yes, there is a difference between genuine concern to acknowledge a potential safety risk and mom shame. Some people need to learn the difference. I take my children’s well being very seriously and I won’t let that be questioned any more.”
Abby shares Fischer, as well as sons Griffin, 4, and August, 3, with husband Matt Howard.
The couple welcomed Fischer in August after previously suffering a pregnancy loss.
“He’s here!!!!” Matt, 28, wrote via Instagram at the time. “We have been soaking up every bit of this beautiful new chapter as a family of 5. Can’t wait to slowly catch you all up on the past week of our life.”
Matt and Abby announced in August 2025 that they were expecting baby No. 3. One month later, the couple revealed they had experienced a miscarriage.
“It is with very heavy hearts that we share about the loss of our baby girl born far too soon,” they wrote via Instagram at the time. “At a routine pregnancy appointment, our doctor could not find a heartbeat. Shortly after they sent us in for an ultrasound where the technician said words we will never forget, ‘I am so sorry I do not have good news.’”
The statement continued, “That is when we got the gender reveal we never hoped for and also the news that our baby had a genetic condition that took her life around 17 weeks gestation.”
Matt and Abby added that the news “felt unimaginable” and the grief has been “absolutely devastating.”
“But we feel so much gratitude for the time that we did get to have with her. And we still have hope. Hope has continued to show up for us in so many ways,” the pair concluded. “For now we will grieve and continue to think of ways to honor her life offline. Thoughts and prayers are more than welcome. Thank you everyone for celebrating this precious life with us for the past 17 weeks.❤️.”
