A mother gained widespread attention when she posted a TikTok showcasing 17 dirty diapers in her home, sparking other moms on the platform to share their personal “17 diapers” moments from their own postpartum experiences.
Hannah, known on TikTok as @nursehannahbh, is a traveling nurse juggling the lives of her two young children. Early in October, she had only been a few weeks postpartum when she faced her first day alone with both an infant and a toddler. Being a frequent uploader of parenting and nursing content, she chose to document her chaotic day—a relatable moment where she roamed her home with a plastic bag, collecting and counting the dirty diapers that accumulated. “I’m not joking; my guess was about 15,” she lamented. By the time she finished, she discovered 17 diapers discarded around her house; while they were left scattered about, each one was tightly secured and merely awaiting disposal.
@nursehannahbh OMG seriously so gross #mom #momtok #pregnant #pregnancy #pregnantlife #baby #birth #labor #babvannouncement #momlife #youngmom #momtiktok #toddler #momof2 #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodunfiltered
To her surprise, the video exploded in popularity, racking up over 6.4 million views, nearly 10,000 comments, and over 54,000 reshares. While many reactions were critical, with comments like, “This is absolutely not relatable” and “You don’t need a diaper genie to throw away diapers! Hope this helps!” Some commenters even threatened to involve Child Protective Services, further fueling the mom-shaming fire. Despite the backlash, Hannah clarified that it was a hectic one-off situation; she was less than a month postpartum and had been left alone with her kids while her husband was away on a hunting trip. Confessing she was in “survival mode,” she explained that the dirty diapers had simply been pushed aside amidst the chaos of managing her responsibilities and illness.
Fortunately, a wave of supportive mothers stepped up to defend Hannah against the harsh criticism.
Understanding the 17 Diapers Trend
Although one of the top comments dismissed Hannah’s experience as “not relatable,” the post inspired a new trend, with mothers sharing their validations that her ordeal echoed their own. While not every mom faced a triad of 17 dirty diapers, many remembered their own challenging postpartum moments when they too felt overwhelmed and unable to tackle basic tasks.
For instance, TikTok user Julie Knapp shared her own “17 diapers” moment, recalling how in her postpartum haze at 19, she neglected the laundry and allowed dirty cups to mold on her dresser while focusing every ounce of energy on just getting through each day. She captioned her post, “Let’s start a trend of mommas who understand! What was your 17 diapers?”
@julieknapppp Lets start a trend of mommas who understand! What was your 17 diapers? #momsoftiktok #momlife #momtok #mom #postpartum
Knapp’s post also gained traction, encouraging numerous mothers to recount their “17 diapers” narratives. Many stories revealed struggles with self-care and household chores during the early postpartum phase, along with challenges of solo parenting and navigating postpartum depression. While these mothers found it hard to manage tasks like laundry or bathing, they ensured their babies remained clean, safe, and healthy. Their “17 diaper” experiences didn’t signify poor parenting but showcased their humanity, portraying how normal it is for new mothers to reach moments when they feel overwhelmed despite their best efforts.
@nikadiwa I will never forget what you did for me @It’s your LiliDoula ❤️? #17diapers #postpartum #mom
@healthyish_mama Postpartum depression is so real and so much ignored. Just because someone seems to have it all together, doesn’t always mean that’s the case. #17diapers #postpartum #momlife #depression #mentalhealth #newmom
@sensible_amber
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@themrspedersen I so appreciate and honor all of the women participating in this trend and combatting the hate ❤️ #17diapers #my17diapers #beingamom #mentalhealth #stopshamingwomen
@daynapaigemiller I am so sick of seeing this poor mom being shamed, bullied, and judged! 3 days postpartum with a toddler that you still have to enrich. You don’t know what kind of pain that mom is in, how hard the baby blues has hit her already, how stretched thin she is trying to balance her new life. They’re NEWBORN diapers…17 diapers. You change a newborn every hour, sometimes more. People are out here acting like she’s had those diapers laying around all week fermenting! I have so much to say on this topic, but the only problem here is everyone that has something negative to say about this mother who is just trying to be real and honest. Everyone begs for people to be authentic yet, the moment someone shows the not-so-glamorous side of motherhood, people judge. Disgusting. #motherhood
Regrettably, some users persisted in criticizing these mothers for not embodying the “ideal” parent. One user even branded them as “unfit” for parenthood. Such reactions underscore a profound ignorance about the postpartum experience—many fail to appreciate the varying levels of support women receive or that their postpartum experiences can differ drastically. This trend also highlighted underlying sexism and double standards.
It’s striking how quickly users targeted Hannah and even suggested involving Child Protective Services due to her messy home. Yet, few directed similar criticism towards the father who left his wife and children amidst this chaos for a recreational trip. This issue isn’t only about Hannah—many “17 diapers” stories come from mothers who aren’t solo parents as well. Most of the time, these mothers, merely days or weeks postpartum, are struggling under immense pressures without equal help. It should not solely fall on their shoulders to manage all responsibilities, including picking up diapers, doing laundry, and maintaining a clean home.
The “17 diapers” movement is more than just an acknowledgment of postpartum struggles; it’s a call to recognize that new mothers shouldn’t have to go through these challenges alone. We must foster a supportive community that empowers women, emphasizing that it’s okay to have 17 diapers in your life. Society should pivot from judging mothers to cultivating better networks so they can avoid isolating experiences during this crucial time.
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