Pookie's Secret to Self-Care and Looking Absolutely Fire Postpartum

OOTD checks look a little different now for Campbell Puckett. Affectionately known as “Pookie” to millions on TikTok, these days, her “outfit of the day” often comes with Paloma in hand—not the cocktail, but her 6-month-old daughter—and the realization that motherhood has shifted her style for the moment and her life forever. Dedicated to keeping things fun and fabulous, Pookie is embracing this new chapter with as much love, humor and style as she can, with the unwavering support of her always-doting husband, Jett, by her side. Now, in an exclusive interview, she’s opening up about how becoming a mom has transformed her, her secret to looking “absolutely fire” postpartum and the realities of juggling life as a working mom.

On The Radical Shift of Motherhood

When it comes to the impact of becoming a mother, Pookie says it hasn’t just changed one or two things about her, but completely transformed her as a person. “I’m definitely just a better version of myself overall. I think parenting really does make you the best version of yourself and helps you grow into a woman and someone that I’m really proud of,” Pookie says.

In fact, she’s been surprised by how much she’s been able to get out with baby Paloma. “I thought taking her out to Target, breakfast, or just to grab a coffee was going to be very intimidating. I thought I would be more scared. But I do it all the time now,” she shares. “I love just going on little dates with her, and it’s so fun.” Pookie admits that she wasn’t a pro at this from the start. “You obviously build confidence over time. I’m still a new mom, I’m still learning, but I think starting out, taking her little places that you’re comfortable with is so helpful and just gives you confidence that you can do it.”

Paloma, she explains, is her motivation behind everything now. “She is everything to me. So I want to include her in everything that I can possible. I’m constantly thinking about how we can do something together or how we can make this more fun,” she says. “It’s so special to see her grow and change so fast. That’s been one of my favorite things—just seeing how much she changes every day.”

With this shift toward her best self, Pookie says she’s unlocked new levels of vulnerability and pride. “I feel like my heart is outside my chest. I love everything about her,” she adds. “And I just have this sense of pride that I don’t think you could have without having a child. And I work harder because of her. She really makes me better in every way.”

On The Importance of Trusting Your Instincts

Like many moms-to-be, Pookie had her doubts about how she would handle motherhood. While she was nervous and worried if she “could do a good job” before Paloma arrived, she now finds herself leaning into her instincts. “You know what’s best for your child better than anyone else does. You just have to trust in yourself that you’re making the best decisions for them.”

Submerged in the world of social media, where unsolicited advice and anxiety-inducing TikToks are a dime a dozen, Pookie says shutting down the outside noise is where she and Jett have thrived. “It’s so important just to focus on you and your baby and what’s best for you guys. I think Jett and I have done such a great job with that, just focusing on us and making sure that she’s loved and she knows how much we love her.”

On Not Being Afraid to Ask for Help

Even the most reassured parent needs help every now and then, and Pookie highlights how tapping into your village and utilizing all of your resources is crucial during those first few months. “Never feel guilty about asking for help. I’ve asked for help many times, and it’s totally normal,” she says. “Not everyone can do it all. You have to do what’s best for you and ask for help, and people are always willing to help. They want you to succeed. You’re always going to do better with a team than on your own. If you need help with little outings or something that you want to do, don’t feel bad about asking for it. You need to take care of yourself, too.”

As a working mom juggling a million things and often traveling, Pookie is happy to utilize all the tools in her parenting toolbelt, including Dr. Talbot’s new MilkFresh technology, which helps her, Jett, and her support system stay on top of her busy feeding schedule. “It really does give you a sense of confidence when it comes to real-time tracking of the freshness of your milk,” she adds of her partnership with Dr. Talbot’s. “It makes it really easy for my husband to help with feeding as well. Just tracking everything gets everybody on the same page. It’s super helpful for me as a busy mom on the go.”

When it does come time to put down the phone and shut her laptop, Pookie stresses the power of small moments of self-care, like getting outside. “We have a beautiful backyard that we like to enjoy. I also love to take Paloma on a walk once a day. That’s been really therapeutic for me and a good way for her to get outside and also for me to clear my head and just enjoy the fresh air,” she says. “Getting some sun and fresh air makes a huge difference.”

On Looking ‘Absolutely Fire’ Postpartum

Even when it comes to a fashion icon like Pookie, she admits that finding her postpartum style and joy in getting dressed again takes some time. “I’m still kind of figuring out my style postpartum for sure. Our bodies are not the same, and you need to give yourself grace,” she admits. For now, she’s embracing the shift to comfort while looking forward to expressing her personal style more in the future.

Her secret for looking chic and ready to walk out the door postpartum? Matching sets. Brands like Skims help her feel put together while staying relaxed. “It’s just easy if you have a top and a bottom that match, and it makes you feel good. It’s just one less thing that you have to think about,” she says.

Outside of matching sets, Pookie is all about effortless basics right now. “A white tee and jeans is my favorite outfit. It’s so easy. You could dress it up with accessories and it works for just about anything.” She admits that finding a pair of jeans that fit, let alone love, has been a journey. But she’s found success with Mother and Citizens of Humanity as of late. “I have a couple pairs from those brands that I love because they make me feel good and they’re flattering,” she says.

When it comes to Paloma’s wardrobe, Pookie embraces some mommy-and-me moments with pajamas (her own line of matching family pajamas recently sold out). Though she plans to keep things a little less matchy-matchy going forward, she does enjoy the idea of coordinating outfits. “I know Love Shack Fancy has some really cute dresses that match my vibe, and I think we could match our vibes, but I’m not dedicated to matching full on.”

Life with Jett and Their Family’s Future

When asked about the best part of parenting, Pookie is quick to admit she loves watching her best friend and husband Jett embrace his role as a father. “Everything makes me emotional. But I am so emotional, especially seeing him with her. It is the sweetest thing. He says that he’s going to be the disciplinary one, but I think he’s going to be spoiling her, too. He already has. He’s just going to make her feel so loved, so special,” she says, tearing up.

For Father’s Day, the whole crew is planning to take a trip to New York to celebrate, and Pookie is already excited to see Dad Jett in action, pointing things out to Paloma. “I love seeing him teach her things. He’s going to be amazing at teaching her things, and he’s so excited for that,” she adds. “He’s already ready for her to talk and be able to interact on a real talking, speaking level, and he’s very excited for that. He loves telling her stories and all the things, so it’s really, really sweet and exciting.”

Back home, the couple’s approach to parenting is rooted in teamwork and nightly rituals. “One thing that we do together every day is bedtime. We give her a bath together, we read stories together,” Pookie says. “Jett is really busy with work, and I am too, but that’s our time that we don’t like to miss. It’s really, really special and something that I really look forward to every day.”

Looking to the future, Pookie and Jett are already thinking about expanding their family but hope that friends and fans will give them space to grow without pressure. “We do want another baby. We would love to have more kids in the future,” Pookie says with a smile, explaining that with the unknowns of fertility and more in mind, you never know. “God willing, we’d love a big family. We’re already so excited to have more.”