‘Below Deck’ Dani Soares Talks Challenges As A New Mom

Below Deck Sailing Yacht alum Dani Soares admits that she had a difficult year. The first year for new moms should be one of the best ones yet. But it can be hard whether you struggling with postpartum depression or the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The former stew revealed that she and her 7-month-old daughter, Lilly, both contracted COVID-19.

These challenges have made it difficult for Dani and her little one. She currently resides in Australia, which went under a strict COVID-19 lockdown. They enforced a “no travelers allowed in or out” rule, which made a paternity test difficult for Dani’s baby. Fans still think Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux is the father of Dani’s child.

He agreed to undergo a paternity test, but the ongoing pandemic has made it impossible. In the meantime, Dani revealed that she hasn’t heard from him since the show wrapped up filming last year. He won’t help with their child until the paternity test proves that he’s the father.

Dani Soares talks about the difficulties of being a new mom in a post-COVID world

The former Below Deck crew member had an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia. Dani shared that the past year hasn’t gotten any better for her. The borders opened back up in mid-December. However, things quickly changed during Dani’s first Christmas with her daughter Lilly. It should’ve been a joyous occasion, but both mother and daughter were sick with COVID.

“Having COVID together and being sick was very challenging. Lilly got it from childcare and passed it on to me,” Dani said. “My whole body hurt and I suffer from migraines as well and I had one on the worst day. I can only imagine how Lilly felt. She wanted to be held at all times and I couldn’t blame her because I would want the same.”

Omicron is catchier than the other variants. More people than ever are catching COVID as the list continues to grow. Being a new mom and testing positive for COVID while living in another country has been a struggle for Dani. She learned about their positive test when Lilly had trouble breastfeeding and refused to take a bottle.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht alum is seeing the positive side to things

Despite these challenges, Dani remains hopeful. The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 star told the British outlet that both of them are “almost 100 percent” after their bout with COVID. Lilly only has “a little bit” of a cough. Thankfully, her daughter is drinking from the bottle and eating solid foods.

Dani continues to juggle motherhood with work. She currently works as a beauty therapist while going to nursing school full-time. This has presented another challenge in her life. Yet, she feels positive about the outcome.

“I have two more years of study and I should graduate at the end of 2023. It will be very challenging for the next two years studying full time and working part-time, but it’s just that push so we can have a better more stable life,” Dani explained. “I’m focusing on giving my baby the best life I possibly can and that will come after all the hard work.”

She did not address Jean-Luc’s paternity case. He disappeared from social media after claiming he was not the father. Yet, Dani will allow him to be a part of her daughter’s life. She is looking forward to a better year.

Below Deck airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.