Ashley James doesn't shy away from the realities of modern parenting. As a mum in the spotlight, she's championing a more honest, relatable, and judgment-free approach to motherhood, something we are incredibly passionate about here at Mother&Baby. From tackling mum guilt to normalising the highs and lows of parenting, Ashley is all about keeping it real.
So, on a sunny Monday morning, we caught up with her and delved into everything from kid's dummies to parenting pressures.
Being a parent to Alfie and Ada is just one of Ashley James' many hats. She's also a TV presenter, DJ, and social media influencer. You might recognise her from Made in Chelsea or Celebrity Big Brother, but these days, she's just as well-known for her refreshingly honest take on life as a mum.
"Being authentic has always been important because I never found the idea of 'perfect parenting' helpful, affirming, or positive. We're all different; we'll thrive in some areas and struggle in others. That's why community support matters. We each face different challenges, and it's not for others to judge what we find easy or hard."
Her latest partnership with baby brand MAM for the #RighttoSoothe campaign reflects that mindset. The campaign aims to break the stigma around using dummies, encouraging parents to do what works best for their little ones without fear of judgment.
A recent MAM study found that 63 per cent of parents have faced judgment during early parenthood. This resonated with Ashley, whose two-year-old daughter Ada uses a dummy, a choice she says "saved her sanity." Ashley admitted she initially feared introducing a dummy due to concerns about judgment, which is why she felt so passionate about joining the campaign.
"Adults have comfort, so why can't kids?
"Dummies are the equivalent of whatever brings us comfort, whether that's chocolate, alcohol, or something else. No one takes that away from adults, so who decides kids don't deserve the same? We throw the word 'comfort' around as if children aren't entitled to it. Even when a child cries, people say, 'Oh, they just want comfort,' as if that's bad. But I think it's completely okay for children to seek comfort - why wouldn't it be?" says Ashley.
This isn't Ashley's first time championing parents through a public campaign. Last year, she took part in a Formula For Change campaign advocating for a mother's right to choose between breastfeeding and formula feeding. In this campaign, she shared a beautiful picture of herself breastfeeding in public. She summed it up perfectly: "Less judging. More supporting." Although Ashley breastfed Alfie and Ada, she is passionate about parents making the best decisions for their family and feels the one-size-fits-all approach to parenting is dangerous.
"Who makes the rules? As adults, we all learn at different paces, so why do we expect one universal rule for kids? And there's no medal for suffering, no reward for just getting through it. Why judge others, especially when we know how tough things can be and how much people lose their identities? We should support each other, not compare. Just because something was easy for you doesn't mean it will be for someone else. Every child is different, and everyone's circumstances vary; there's so much we don't know about others," she says.
Ashley shares with us that she plans to continue advocating for parents and sharing her own parenting journey in hopes of helping others in a similar situation.
She advises, "Trust your gut. Don't listen to the negative voices or the 'just you wait' comments - your journey will differ from anyone else's. And remember, it's okay to assert your boundaries."
About the author
Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.