Barbara Palvin has opened up about her postpartum experience after walking in the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show just six weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Sylvie.
The 33-year-old Hungarian model shared behind-the-scenes photographs on Instagram on October 22, revealing that nursing pads had been sewn into her bra for the runway appearance. She also posted a photograph of herself pumping backstage.
Palvin thanked Victoria’s Secret for supporting her, writing that the brand was “embracing me exactly where I am in my postpartum journey and making me feel so beautiful and confident.”
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The model also highlighted the challenges mothers face when returning to work after childbirth, particularly in the United States, where many women return within six to eight weeks without paid maternity leave.
“Mothers deserve more time, more support, and more choices,” Palvin wrote, acknowledging that her return to work was a choice she was fortunate to have.
She also encouraged mothers not to compare their experiences, explaining that life after childbirth can look very different from the polished image presented on the runway.
“What you saw on that runway was me all dolled up, but my everyday postpartum reality looks very different,” she said, adding that finding time for a shower or a peaceful meal can feel like a significant achievement.
Palvin and her husband, actor Dylan Sprouse, welcomed their first child in September. Sprouse attended the fashion show to support his wife, praising her dedication and composure.
Palvin concluded her message by celebrating motherhood and thanking her family and friends for their support, describing the experience as “hard, beautiful, messy, emotional, and so, so worth it.”
