A heartfelt TikTok clip from six years ago has exploded in popularity, resonating with parents everywhere who remember the draining early days with a newborn. Madison Reid posted the old footage of her husband Matt gently feeding their baby daughter Sophie while looking utterly worn out. The video, recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, shows Matt’s tired eyes and disheveled appearance as he rocks the infant. It quickly racked up more than 16.2 million views, drawing laughs and empathy from viewers.
At the time, both Madison and Matt were just 23 years old and navigating parenthood for the first time. Madison was recovering from a cesarean section, which limited her ability to handle nighttime duties. Matt stepped up to take on extra tasks, including feedings, even as exhaustion set in. They tried shifting sleep schedules to cope, but the constant demands of a newborn made rest elusive.
Madison decided to record the moment because she found Matt’s weary expression amusing in a relatable way. She later shared it with him, and he burst into laughter upon seeing himself. “I felt his exhaustion, but I knew he would laugh until tears came if he saw how he looked back then, so that’s why I recorded the video,” Madison explained in an interview. Years later, posting it online brought the same lighthearted reaction from the couple.
The clip struck a chord online, with commenters flooding in to share their own stories. One wrote, “He’s trying so hard to stay composed while his brain is completely shutting down.” Another joked, “He looks like he gave birth.” Many parents nodded in agreement, calling the newborn phase pure survival mode.
“The newborn phase isn’t for the faint-hearted,” one user commented. Others described the first six months as barely living, just getting by on minimal sleep. Madison noted how spot-on the responses felt. “The reactions were hilarious,” she said. “Parents immediately recognize that facial expression and know exactly what’s going on.”
Pandemic restrictions added extra strain for the Reid family back then. Visits from relatives were scarce due to infection fears, leaving most caregiving to the young couple alone. Help from others was minimal, amplifying the fatigue. Still, they leaned on humor to pull through challenging nights.
Madison highlighted that sleep deprivation was the toughest part, not any strain in their relationship. “Every phase had something nice,” she reflected. Having a partner who could joke about the chaos made all the difference. “And when you have a partner to joke with and rely on to add some humor to the whole situation, it really makes a big difference,” she added.
@madisonreid0731 It’s funny now that that was 6 years ago <3333 #fyp #funny #xyzbca #2016 #fypシ ♬ original sound – rashay
The video’s success underscores how shared experiences bind parents together. Viewers appreciated the honest glimpse into those foggy early weeks. Matt’s zoned-out look became an instant meme for anyone who’s bottle-fed a baby at 3 a.m. The outpouring of witty and understanding comments kept the Reids entertained as they read through them.
Over time, life settled for the family as Sophie grew. The intense newborn period faded, replaced by new joys and milestones. Madison emphasized finding positives in each stage of parenting. Their story reminds others that the exhaustion, while brutal, is temporary and often worth a laugh later.
New parents frequently face disrupted sleep patterns in the initial months after birth. Infants typically need feeding every two to three hours around the clock, leaving little opportunity for uninterrupted rest. This phase, sometimes called the fourth trimester, involves the baby adapting to the world while caregivers adjust to constant demands. Recovery from delivery, whether vaginal or cesarean, further complicates daily routines for mothers. Support networks and a sense of humor play key roles in managing the transition.
What moments from your own early parenting days stand out as the most exhausting or funniest—share your stories in the comments.
