Dani Dyer 'struggled' with parenthood

Dani Dyer "struggled" when her son was first born, because she couldn't help but compare herself to other mums.

The 25-year-old reality star welcomed her son Santiago with her ex-partner Sammy Kimmence - who was was jailed for three-and-a-half years in July for scamming two pensioners out of almost £34,000 - in January 2021, and former Love Islander admits she was left riddled with self-doubt when she became a first-time mother.

Speaking in her role as an ambassador for BBC’s ‘Tiny Happy People’, Dani - who is the daughter of ‘EastEnders’ actor Danny Dyer - told the BBC: "I honestly wasn't prepared for the rush of hormones. It was a little bit hard for me at the beginning. I really did struggle,

"Are you doing 'the parent thing' right? Is everyone judging how you're coping? Is the life you knew pre-baby gone forever? How can you meet other parents in the same situation?’

"I remember when Santi was born, all I did was compare, and I always used to think, 'Why can't I breastfeed?' I really, really struggled with that. And I put so much pressure on myself.

"I shouldn't have compared so much. I shouldn't have looked online. I should have just enjoyed my baby bubble and just gone with it."

Dani has been grateful to have the support of her parents, Danny, and her mum Joanne Mas.

She said: "The way they have been there for me is honestly just such a dream. There have been some long nights, if Santi's not been well, where I really struggled and I've just needed to have a chat or a sleep in the afternoon. And they've been there for me.

"Knowing I've got them, I am blessed with that."