What Cat Does for Post-Partum Owner Stuns Viewers: 'Stepped Up'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A cat's way of helping his owner after she gave birth has delighted viewers on TikTok, with the feline becoming an unexpected symbol of solidarity for sleep-deprived new mothers on the platform.
The candid video showed the cat gently moving his paw to pump breast milk for his owner, who had recently given birth. The post, shared by the pet's owner @j.44.4 on April 24, has amassed more than 25.3 million views and 5.7 million likes to date, turning the sleepy cat into an internet sensation.
An overlaid text on the video drew further attention to the hilarity of the moment.
"Me getting annoyed at my cat but then I remember he helped me pump post partum," the text read.
Viewers were able to see the cat operate the pump, before letting out a wide, lazy yawn, prompting hundreds of comments from amused viewers who recognized the shared exhaustion.
"Postpartum is hard even for the cat," one viewer had commented, while another added: "It's the fact that he yawned and acting like he is exhausted."
Though the video is only a few seconds long and lighthearted in tone, it has tapped into the emotional and physical exhaustion that new parents know all too well—and the often-overlooked support that pets can provide during postpartum recovery.
This particular cat's involvement borders on slapstick, but the underlying message has clearly struck a chord. To date, more than 11,000 TikTok users have commented on the post, with many voicing their comedic takes on the viral moment and the cat's obliging demeanor. The yawn, in particular, has become a defining moment of the clip.
"He was so sleep deprived too," one viewer said, while another added: "Yawning and pumping, he was tired."
"And he was exhausted at that but still did the night shifts you," a third viewer shared. "What a king."
"Damn it really do be taking a village," another added.
"That's not a step dad that's the dad who stepped up," another said, while another commented: "This is deadass the smartest thing I ever seen a cat do."
"A single mom who works two jobs," a different viewer joked, in reference to Reba McEntire's 2001 song "I'm a Survivor."
"Doing it even though he's tired what a king," another viewer said.
"The yawn," another said, "he was overworked."
Newsweek reached out to @j.44.4 for more information via TikTok and email.
A cat rests its head against a pregnant woman's stomach.
A cat rests its head against a pregnant woman's stomach.
Getty Images
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Curve Model Faces 'Awkward' Comment About Her Body During Flight. Why She Wasn't 'Shocked' by It (Exclusive)
Curve model Kate Kope got over 300K views on TikTok for opening up about her encounter with an older woman who commented on her body during their flight Kope, 27, recalled the woman saying that she was "not that fat" after she found out Kope classified herself as a curve model Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively, Kope reveals why she "was not shocked" by the woman's unfiltered reaction"There's nothing quite like getting humbled on your early morning @delta flight," model Kate Kope wrote when she posted a TikTok video about an awkward encounter she had with a seat neighbor on her flight to Los Angeles. In the clip, which received over 300K views as of writing, Kope — a 27-year-old curve model from Brooklyn, N.Y. — recalled that the woman made a comment on her body after finding out she was a curve model. According to Kope, who is signed on with Jag Models, a photo of her in lingerie prompted the woman to say this next. "She goes, 'Oh, don't worry, you're not that fat,'" she revealed. Following the incident, Kope tells PEOPLE she "was not shocked" by the woman's unfiltered response because she actually gets similar reactions pretty often. "I'm used to people not quite knowing what to say when I tell them I am a curve model," explains Kope, who says she is a "true 10" in size but can fluctuate from 8 to 14 on any given day. She notes that clothing samples for curve models range from a 12 to a 16. "In person, I am not at all what someone would consider as 'curvy' or 'plus-size,' so an awkward reaction often happens. I think people almost want to comfort me and let me know that I'm not fat, as if I have allowed the fashion industry to convince me otherwise for labeling me as a 'curve' model. So, I don't take their inappropriate reactions to heart." She adds: "To many people, fat equals bad and skinny equals good, so these interactions just reveal more about how people perceive thinness in society and how they look at women's bodies. Little do they know, I've done the mental work and no longer wish to strive for thinness as my life goal." Kope doesn't believe that the woman, whom she notes was older, made the comment with "malice or ill intent." "We actually had an interesting conversation about many things. Maybe I should have judged her more, but I truly let it roll off my back," she says. "I personally get more annoyed by younger people who make these comments because I expect millennials and Gen Z to be more aware." Kope describes herself as a "confident" woman, though these types of interactions only highlight her struggle to truly identify with her job title. "I shy away a lot from telling strangers I'm a model. If I just say 'model' without including 'curve' or 'plus,' I can see people immediately stare at my body and question the validity of my answer. But when I do say 'curve or 'plus', they often want to say how ridiculous it is. So, I exist in this middle ground where either answer warrants an often uncomfortable response." The conversation around plus-size modeling has grown thanks to the rise of models like Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, Iskra Lawrence, Lauren Chan, Precious Lee and Hunter McGrady, all of whom have advocated for body diversity industry-wide. Although Kope, who started her modeling career a decade ago and has since worked for brands including Victoria's Secret, SKIMS, Fenty Beauty and Hollister, tells PEOPLE that she's noticed a "regression" in the number of job openings accessible to models like herself, and she sees it affecting her community. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "A couple years ago, curve models had more of a presence in the industry. My friends who are size 16+ would shoot campaigns, beauty and editorials. It felt like fashion was starting to explore what a size-inclusive industry could look like. But recently, there has been less and less of that happening. I've noticed brands shooting smaller and smaller curves or the models they're using are just midsize like myself. Many of my friends size 16+ are struggling to find their place in the industry again." "That is why I want to continue to talk about this on my social media," continues Kope. "Our perception of thinness cannot be so skewed by the media we are consuming. It's so unhealthy for the younger generation. I should not be the largest size they see in campaigns. I should not be the only depiction of a 'curvy' woman. Nothing has healed my perception and love of my body more than my community of plus-size models. They are confident, fashionable, funny, smart, and just the coolest people I know. If the brands right now won't highlight them, seek them out for yourselves!" Read the original article on People
Refinery29
2 hours ago
- Refinery29
‘Team Conrad' Or ‘Team Jeremiah'? Your Choice Might Reflect Your Relationship Style
The Summer I Turned Pretty has completely overtaken my TikTok feed, with countless people arguing over who the main character Isabel 'Belly' Conklin (Lola Tung) should end up with. If you haven't seen the show, the nostalgic teen drama centres around Belly and her dramatic love triangle. It's a bit complicated, because she's trying to choose between brothers: Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). They also happen to be lifelong family friends, and spend every summer together. Is it a recipe for disaster? Absolutely. But does it make for binge-worthy TV? You bet. The series, based on Jenny Han's books of the same name, has captured the attention of all age groups. Case in point: I'm a millennial who has been married for 11 years, yet I'm incredibly invested in what happens to these characters. There's something comforting about being transported back to summer, where you no longer have to worry about bills, the state of the world, or finding a place to live. However, being so removed from that part of my life where I was discovering love for the first time makes me view the show through a different lens. I started to get curious about whether my age, stage in life or what I value in relationships had anything to do with my opinion. With this in mind, I spoke to multiple experts about relationship styles, how watching relationships on TV can affect young people, and what being Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah could say about your relationship habits. If you need a quick refresher before The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, let me give you the basics. Conrad is the eldest of the two Fisher brothers, and he's your typical broody and mysterious heartthrob. Belly had a crush on Conrad her entire life, and everybody knew it. Jeremiah has always been one of Belly's best friends, and he's much more outgoing and tends to value communication. During Season 1, Belly kissed both of the brothers before deciding to pursue a relationship with Conrad, crushing Jeremiah. In Season 2, we found out that Conrad broke Belly's heart after he withdrew when his mother was dying from cancer, and she eventually reconnected with Jeremiah. We'll see which brother Belly chooses when The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 drops on July 16. Dr Joyce Yu, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Consent Labs tells Refinery29 Australia it's important not to assume what you see on screen is 'normal or okay'. As we know, there are many unhealthy relationships that become romanticised on screen (we're looking at you, Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass), so we should all approach TV with critical thinking. 'It's completely okay to enjoy media and TV shows, because they're often designed for escapism. But the key is being able to engage critically too: asking yourself whether what's portrayed reflects a healthy relationship in real life,' Yu says. 'One way to assess whether a relationship on screen is healthy is by assessing the power dynamics. Check whether there are elements that give someone more power. This could be their age, position in the workplace or social hierarchy, or professional role.' Yu also warns that 'respectful communication and consent' is key, and says TV shows often can portray jealousy as love. One easy way to test if a relationship you're invested in is healthy is to ask a simple question: 'If this scenario happened in real life to my friend, would I think it was healthy or problematic?' Team Conrad Psychologist Carly Dober tells Refinery29 Australia that those who are firmly in the Team Conrad camp could simply be attracted to him physically (hello, it's Christopher Briney), or that you could enjoy the 'bad boy archetype' or the 'push and pull dynamic'. 'This might mean that this kind of relationship is more of what you're looking for [or] it might mean that this feels familiar to you,' she explains. Conrad tends to be unpredictable — from leaving Belly in tears at prom to calling her a 'brat' and a 'mistake' — which feels cruel, but in the real world, can be familiar to many people. Those feelings of 'butterflies' that you can get in your stomach when you're in a relationship? They're not always a good sign. 'Unpredictability can cause anxiety, which can cause the sensation of butterflies in your stomach. This can be misattributed to excitement and novelty, whereas for most healthy and sustaining relationships, there will be clear communication and expectations, and that sensation will dissipate as you get to know and trust one another,' Dober says. Being Team Connie also doesn't necessarily mean you want this type of relationship in your own life, but perhaps you're craving something completely different from what you usually experience. TV is a great way to rot on the couch and tune out for a while, after all! '[Viewers] might just be enjoying the drama as an escape from their own lives. We often find that if people are questioned about how much they would like to be in a relationship like the one on screen, they would not want to at all,' Dober says. Team Jeremiah If you're Team Jeremiah, Dober says you may be 'attracted to stability and dependability', and he ticks the boxes for what you're looking for. 'It might mean that you admire his personal traits or how he talks to people on the show. It might mean that you're attracted to this kind of person anyway… or are interested in these traits in future partners,' Dober says. There's also a possibility you have been 'burned' in a relationship before, and recognise it's time to try something new. 'People might come to find familiarity with the volatility of some relationships. This doesn't mean that they want this or like this, it just might be the only thing that they understand. For many people, being 'burned' will encourage them to find something different,' she explains. Some viewers may root for a character demonstrating 'stability and dependability' because they're at a different stage of their life, and their priorities around long-term commitment have changed. Dober says this comes as a result of maturity and knowing "what it takes to have a sustaining and healthy relationship work". While she says the show is obviously entertainment, it can also reflect what people "are looking for in that stage of their lives, too". There are arguments for both Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah, and if you wade into fan debates online, you'll quickly realise how passionate everybody can be. Your views can be coloured by past relationships, what you're looking for in your personal life, or maybe you're just attracted to the actors playing the characters on screen. Perhaps being Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah isn't so black and white as I first thought.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Woman Finds 1962 Barbie in Thrift Store—Can't Believe The Price Tag
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Virginia woman was left stunned when she wandered into a thrift store, only to find a 1962 collector's item listed for just $10.99. For Grace Caroline, 29, thrifting has long been an exhilarating hobby, and she's found countless second-hand treasures in the past. But when she and a friend recently traveled further afield to some of the larger thrift stores in northern Virginia, she couldn't believe what she found in the Christmas decorations aisle. To her surprise, Caroline saw a vintage Barbie doll from 1962, still in her original box. It seemed too good to be true, as Caroline told Newsweek that she thought "it had to be a reproduction" at first. But as she looked closer, she realized what an amazing find this was. An original 1962 Barbie that was found in a Virginia thrift store. An original 1962 Barbie that was found in a Virginia thrift store. u/mewisme700 / Reddit "I just thought, there's no way this collector's item was just sitting out," Caroline said. She continued: "She is still in her original box from 1962 and looks mostly untouched. She does have a case of what Barbie collectors call green ear, where the original metal earrings she once wore oxidized into the vinyl of the face. She is missing her hand tag, but still luckily has the original booklet with her, still sealed." Caroline didn't hesitate to buy the Barbie, especially as it cost just $10.99. Indeed, the packaging even has the original sticker with the price on, showing that the doll was once sold for $2. When adjusted for inflation, this equates to around $21 in 2025. Although Caroline isn't a Barbie collector, she is a Pokémon collector and certainly knows the value of an original item. "Once the doll was confirmed not to be a reproduction, I immediately recognized the significance of this Barbie as one of the first releases. I wanted to ensure that it was saved from the thrift to be in the hands of a Barbie collector where it can be cherished and appreciated after 63 years in storage," Caroline told Newsweek. She shared her discovery in a Reddit post (posting as user u/mewisme700), and it's gone viral with over 12,000 votes and 270 comments in a matter of days. Amy McKune, a curator at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, believes that it's an amazing find, made even better by the near pristine condition it's been kept in. McKune told Newsweek: "She does appear to be in her original box, wearing her original swimsuit and red sandals. Often the thin strap on the tops of those sandals has split as the plastic has aged. I can't see her ears to know if she still has her original earrings. The pearl earrings often have left an area of green discoloration around the ears." It appears to be a #6 Barbie, introduced in 1962, McKune says. She noted that the #6 model was the first doll to wear the famous red swimsuit, with earlier versions sporting a black and white striped one instead. "Isn't it amazing that after only three years, Mattel had introduced six models? The model number on one end of the box (Model 850) was used for all of the Ponytail Barbie dolls," McKune continued. The box that the 1962 Barbie came in, showing the original $2 price tag. The box that the 1962 Barbie came in, showing the original $2 price tag. u/mewisme700 / Reddit The online reaction has been astonishing to see, as many social media users were just as bewildered as Caroline by her thrifting find. In fact, many didn't even believe that it could be real. Caroline said: "I have a lot of people calling it staged because thrift stores have become very adamant in making sure the good stuff goes behind the counter. But with the sheer amount of daily donations thrift stores get because of our hyper-consumeristic lifestyle, it doesn't surprise me that gems like this do slip past thrift employees." Among the hundreds of comments on the post, many Reddit users were amazed by the iconic vintage Barbie. One comment reads: "That's an impossible find! I'm so jealous!" Another Reddit user wrote: "Amazing find. Never even seen one in the original box!" While another person replied: "This is awesome! Think of all the hands it went through at the thrift store and nobody there thought enough to grab it. Congratulations!" Do you have any amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
