“Even the hard days are a gift”: Brooke Hogan on IVF, toddler chaos and motherhood joy
Brooke Hogan opens up about embracing the chaos of early motherhood, surviving toddler mealtimes, and why she’ll never take a single moment for granted.
In 2023, former Australia’s Next Top Model star Brooke Hogan and her hotelier husband, Myles Pitt, welcomed their first child, Billy, following a long and emotional journey through infertility and IVF.
“Myles and I are so excited to be welcoming a little bebe into the world,” Brooke, 33, shared on Instagram at the time. “We are still lost for words and feel overwhelmed with gratitude that our dream of becoming parents has finally come true.”
Brooke also acknowledged the pain behind the joy. “There were many times over the past two years where we thought this may never happen for us. The emotional and physical pain that comes with infertility and the roller coaster that comes with it is something that can’t be put into words.”
She ended the post with a heartfelt message to others walking the same path. “If you are experiencing fertility issues of any kind, I know how much it hurts seeing others sharing their news,” she wrote. “Myles and I feel you, we see you, and we hope and pray that you too will be blessed with your little miracle really soon.”
The couple were overjoyed to welcome their son, Billy John Pitt, on July 17, 2023.
Now firmly in the thick of toddlerhood with a two-year-old, Brooke chats to Bounty Parents about the emotional intensity of motherhood, her go-to wellness rituals, feeding a fussy eater (hello, beige dinners), and the bedtime moment that melts her heart every single night.
What’s one thing about motherhood that has surprised you, in either the best or most challenging way?
The emotional intensity of motherhood really surprised me. After going through IVF, I’ve always seen being a mum as a privilege – even in the hard moments. It’s chaotic, messy, and overwhelming at times, but infertility taught me that the hard days are still a gift. I’m constantly reminding myself that this was never promised to me, and there are women out there who would do anything for the kind of hard day I’m having.
You seem to juggle work and motherhood so effortlessly – what’s the reality behind the scenes?
It’s not effortless at all. I feel like my heart is always in two places and like I’m never getting it right. When I’m working, I’m thinking about Billy. When I’m with Billy, I’m thinking about work. I haven’t figured out the balance perfectly, but I’m learning to be intentional with my time and set clear boundaries – so I can be present where it matters.
What are your non-negotiables when it comes to feeling good in your body and mind?
I’m really protective over my mornings and dinner time with my family. I also try to move my body as much as I can – even if it’s just a pram walk or a quick Our Pilates class during Billy’s nap. That time helps me feel grounded.
Any wellness rituals or daily habits that help you stay grounded as a mum?
No work before 9am. This means no phone, no scrolling, no emails, just being present with Billy before our day truly starts. Also, not comparing myself to other mums and what I see on social media really helps. Every single mum and child is different and reminding myself of this always helps me stay grounded.
What’s one of your most special or memorable recent moments with Billy?
I feel like things get better every day. He is starting to talk a lot so hearing his little voice is the best thing ever. He tells me “You’re beautiful” before bed every night and it’s the sweetest thing in the world.
What’s mealtime like with Billy right now, is he fussy eater?
He’s definitely going through a fussy phase, beige foods are on high rotation over here! I am still offering him everything – even though he isn’t eating – as it is very important. He is very healthy and active so I try to reassure myself that he’s getting what he needs.
What does nutrition look like in your household these days?
I try to keep things balanced, but I also try not to overthink it. Some days are full of variety, others are more beige – and that’s okay. With Billy, I often sneak extra goodness into his go-to foods – whether it’s blending veggies into smoothies or adding powders to sauces. I’m a big believer in balance and making sure we still enjoy the fun stuff too. That’s one of the reasons I love meals like Bellamy’s Organic Iron-Rich Lamb Pasta Bake. It’s made with plenty of colourful veggies so it’s packed with nutrients. Plus, it’s one of those meals we can all enjoy together as a family.
How do you manage the household chaos, any organisation tricks or time-savers that help?
I try to meal-prep when I have time. This means batch cooking some things that I can freeze and pull from when I need some healthy meals. I always have a vegetable loaded beef Bolognese in the freezer and I pull from that every Friday.
I also think getting him involved in making smoothies or prepping food, even helping with the washing is such a game changer. While it might take a little longer, it ends up being so much more enjoyable. I heard someone say “Children want to be included, not distracted” and that has really helped my mindset with household activities that can often feel chaotic.
I always keep the Bellamy’s Organic Apple Snacks and the Apple & Date Oatie Bites on hand. They’re perfect for those busy moments between meals when we’re on the go or when I need to pack his lunchbox. They’re quick, reliable, and honestly so tasty. And I won’t lie – I end up snacking on them too!
If you could give one piece of advice to your new-mum self, what would it be?
I know it sounds cliché, but when you’re a new mum, you’ve got no frame of reference. It’s easy to believe that the tough moments will last forever. But they don’t. They pass, sometimes in the blink of an eye. And so do the beautiful ones. So just savour it all, as much as you can. The fits, the chaos, and the quiet moments in between. We’re often so focused on the next milestone that we forget that it usually means a ‘last time’ of something else. Hold it close because you’ll miss even the parts you thought you wouldn’t.
What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of motherhood?’
Everything. It gets better everyday. Watching him become his own little person, talking and learning is the best thing ever and I can’t wait for all our adventures.
