In a world where we’re constantly scrolling through advice, parenting tips, and picture-perfect depictions of motherhood, it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters: trusting ourselves.
Dani Dyer, like many of us, found herself overwhelmed by the noise of the digital age. But through her journey of raising three little ones, she’s learned the power of tuning out the online chatter and listening to her instincts.
As a first-time mum, it’s natural to Google every little thing, search for the “right” way to do things, and compare your journey with others'. But with her growing family, Dani’s found peace in stepping back and doing things her way.
We caught up with Dani, the ever-relatable star from Love Island and daughter of the legendary Danny Dyer. Dani is now happily navigating the highs and lows of motherhood with her partner, footballer Jarrod Bowen (who she’s set to marry this Spring), while raising three children under five. Dani's honest approach to motherhood resonates with so many mums, and we were lucky enough to hear how she balances it all.
Dani Dyer on silencing the noise and finding the right advice
Do you ever feel like, despite the endless advice available, being a mum is harder than ever? You’re not alone. A recent survey by JOHNSON’S® Baby revealed that 93% of new parents receive unsolicited advice daily. And some are hit with up to 25 conflicting tips every week! It’s not just face-to-face; social media adds to the overload, with millions of videos offering parenting advice.
Dani can relate. “When I was a first-time mum, I constantly Googled routines and wondered if I was doing things the ‘right’ way,” she admits. “But now, with the twins, I’ve learned not to obsess over what others are doing. I’ve stepped back from social media, especially for parenting advice. Everyone’s journey is different. You’ve got to follow your gut and trust your instincts.”
Partnering with JOHNSON’S® Baby on their new campaign, Dani emphasises the importance of trusting your instincts. “It’s all about telling parents, ‘Do what feels right for you and ignore the noise,’” she shares. The brand’s Soothing Sounds white noise album has become a lifesaver for her, helping both her and her kids relax and wind down.
Dani on her parenting approach: “I go with the flow”
Dani’s parenting style comes from the way she was raised, keeping things relaxed. “If I wanted a snack after dinner, I could have it,” she says, applying that same attitude with her son Santi. “I’m not strict about rules, but if they misbehave, I’ll step in.”
Raising a four-year-old and twin toddlers has its challenges. “With Santi, I’ve learned to pick my battles. Sometimes, if he’s having a meltdown, I just try to ignore it and figure out what’s triggering him.” With the twins, it’s trickier since they’re still too young to understand their emotions. “I try to stay relaxed and go with the flow,” Dani explains.
Best parenting advice: “Everything is a phase”
“The best advice I’ve received is that everything is a phase,” Dani shares. “The days are long, but the years are short. The twins are constantly poorly right now, but I know they’ll grow out of it.”
Dani also confesses that baby-led weaning was the biggest parenthood shock to her. “I thought they’d instantly like food, but it was tougher than I expected.” Santi, on the other hand, started eating solids at 6-7 months. “It was tough at first, but now, it’s crazy to see them eating normal meals!”
Dani on her looking after her mental health and having a strong support
“Everyone goes through ups and downs, and I’ve certainly had moments of struggle,” she admits. “When you become a first-time mum, it’s all about learning as you go. That newborn bubble is amazing, but it can also be exhausting, and it’s hard to juggle everything. I’ve always been open about the fact that parenting can be very up and down, especially when it comes to mental health.”
Having a strong support system, she says, is key. “I’ve always said that if you don’t have friends who are parents, it’s really helpful to find groups where you can meet people and just offload or chat over coffee. I’ve got some amazing friends, both with and without kids, and having that balance is so important.”
Loving Santi’s age and letting the twins run wild
Now that her son Santi is four, Dani says she’s enjoying watching him explore and take in the world around him.
“With Santi, I love when we go out. He really enjoys it. He loves going to the zoo. Taking him on days out now is so much fun because he really takes things in and enjoys them. The other day, we went on the train, and I took all three of them. He just loved the train! At that age, they get so excited about things, and it’s so much fun.”
Dani laughs about the twins being “wild” at this stage. “The twins are just running around everywhere. They’re wild. They don’t understand things yet, but with Santi, he’s at that age where he gets excited about things, and you can see how much he enjoys it. I’m loving this age with him. It’s really enjoyable.”
What she loves most about being a mum of three
“Yeah, the love you have for them is like… they do one little thing or say one cute thing, and it’s the most amazing feeling ever. I would say it’s that love. They’re just so special and they’re a part of you, which I think is so lovely. Of course, it’s chaos. Absolute chaos. It’s carnage. We’re on our feet all day long, but it’s special.”
Dani admits that juggling it all is probably the hardest part. “I’m still figuring it out. Being a parent of twins is crazy. But they’re such a blessing. I’m so grateful for all three of them. They’re my little friends now. I know that I’ve got my little besties now, and I can’t wait to just go shopping with the girls and play Barbies. I played Barbies till I was 14, so I can’t wait. They better like Barbies!”
Reflecting on her first-time mum days, Dani would advise herself to slow down. “I’d probably tell myself to sit on the sofa more, enjoy the time with just the baby, and not try to do everything at once.”
Her upcoming Spring wedding and honeymoon plans
Dani is thrilled about her upcoming wedding and shares, “The wedding is coming together exactly as I envisioned. I’ve always wanted a fairytale wedding, and having a great wedding planner has really helped take the stress off the planning. I’ve always known exactly what I wanted. While I’ve always wanted an intimate wedding, it’s grown a little bit because I want to invite all the people who mean a lot to me. It’s become a bit bigger than originally planned, but that’s been wonderful. I’m finally marrying the man of my dreams, and it’s all coming to life. I couldn’t be happier.”
When it comes to the honeymoon, Dani reveals that it’s just the two of them for a short break. “Oh no, they come [the kids] everywhere with us, but for the honeymoon, we’re going to take a short four-day break just for us. A holiday with three kids is definitely not a holiday, so we need a little time for ourselves to recharge.”
They’ll be heading to Lake Como in Italy, a destination Dani has always dreamed of. “I’ve always wanted to go to Lake Como. It’s beautiful and the kind of place where you can just relax, have cocktails, and eat amazing food. That’s my kind of dream honeymoon.”
Keeping the spark alive and sharing the parental load with Jarrod
Despite their busy lives as parents of three little ones, Dani and Jarrod make sure to spend quality time together. “I think we’ve just always had that. We really get each other. He’s so relaxed, and I’m more the ‘doer.’ We make time for each other, even if it’s just watching a series together after the kids go to bed,” she says.
“It’s important to communicate. We just understand each other, and that’s what makes it work,” she adds.
Dani also emphasises how they share the load at home. “When he’s home, he’s so hands-on. We just do it together. We’ve found our rhythm. He’ll take care of the kids while I cook, and when he comes home, he cleans the house. He’s really good at organising the toys, sometimes a bit too good!”
Dani’s best parenting buys
Dani swears by a few key products. “A strong backpack to put all your bits in, like spare clothes. Obviously, the Johnson’s baby bedtime range, you need that; it smells amazing. A goodwhite noise system is a must, and I love muslins. And snacks — loads and loads of snacks to keep them going.”
The perfect me-time day
For Dani, self-care means unwinding with luxury products. “I love Sol de Janeiro body oils and creams. I’ll have a bath, exfoliate, and treat myself to some self-care.” She also enjoys gym sessions, which help her mentally and physically.
For a solo mum day, Dani would have a blissful time at the gym, followed by a blow-dry, nail appointment, and a trip to her favourite stores like Home Bargains, TK Maxx, and ALDI. “Having a nice coffee with a lovely almond croissant is the perfect end to my day out. I love those days when I can just go to TK Maxx and buy things I don’t need.”
What’s next for Dani Dyer?
Dani’s focused on herself for now. “I’m currently filming an ITV show, and I’m just getting back to me for a bit. Maybe in the future, I’ll have another child, but for now, I’m focusing on me.”
About the author
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is a mum to one very energetic bambino and splits her time between Italy and the UK.