New mum Abbey Holmes responds to backlash after fan favourite makes return to work call

Abbey Holmes has hit back at criticism she's returning to work too soon after giving birth to her first child in June. The popular Channel 7 presenter and former AFLW player has announced plans to return to the AFL's host broadcaster seven weeks after she and husband Keegan Brooksby welcomed their first child into the world.

Holmes was inundated with messages of congratulations after announcing the rival of the couple's baby boy, Brax, on June 6. The much-loved TV personality shared the wonderful news by taking to social media to share a series of photos of their bundle of joy and a brief rundown of how labour went for the 34-year-old new mum.

Popular Channel Seven AFL presenter Abbey Holmes has hit back at critics suggesting she's returning to work too son after giving birth to her first child. Pic: Getty/Instagram/kjbrooksby

"My name is Braxton John Brooksby but my friends can call me Brax," Holmes wrote alongside a series of photos of the newborn. "Mummy labored all day on Friday, only for me to be born via C section at 5:49pm on [June 6] weighing 3.585kgs. My head was faaaar too large so we had to change our plans late in the piece!"

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However, the former AFLW star says she's been forced to defend herself against backlash from online trolls questioning her decision to return to work on Seven's AFL coverage less than two months after giving birth. Holmes is stepping back into her broadcasting roles with Channel Seven - albeit appearing just two days a week - as she tries to balance work and family life as a new mum.

Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS.com.au, Holmes insists the decision to come back to work was not taken lightly, but has been made much easier by how well her baby boy is doing. “I think that if he didn’t take a bottle or was really unsettled and only slept on me, or whatever it might have been, then I certainly would have been hamstrung and certainly not come back seven weeks after having him,” she said.

Abbey Holmes hits back at criticism of return-to-work call

The popular TV presenter says the majority of messages she's received from fans have been highly supportive of her decision to return to work. But she admits there has been a 'small minority' of critics on social media who've questioned her parenting after suggesting that she should remain home to be with her baby.

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“There’s certainly a small minority of people out there that feel that they have the right to tell you what you should be doing and how things are to be done, which is never the case," Holmes added. The 34-year-old says she's also been irked by comments about her husband being on 'babysitting duty' after describing Brooksby as a 'super dad' and pointing out that parenting is typically a role shared by a mother and father.

Abbey Holmes and Keegan Brooksby welcomed their first child in June. Image: Getty

Holmes has spoken about how much she loves working with Seven on the AFL and sees no reason why she can't continue her career and be a mum at the same time. And her obstetrician, Dr Scott Shemer, told 7NEWS.com.au that as long as the baby is doing well and Holmes is physically and emotionally healthy, there isn't a recommended return-to-work timeframe for new mums to suggest she should remain home with the newborn.

Holmes' return to Channel Seven comes after she was farewelled by her colleagues after the Brisbane and Adelaide game in June, right before baby Brax was born. “Unfortunately for us this is your last Friday night footy and we have had to request an army to come in and take care of what you’ve done (for the team),” Seven colleague and AFL great Dale Thomas said at the time.

“On behalf of the Friday Night footy team, the entirety of Channel 7, and everybody around the football (industry), we just want to say we wish you all the very best. You’re going to make the most amazing mother. We can’t wait to see the little baby for you and Keegs (husband Keegan).”

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