Mandy Moore, together with her husband Taylor Goldsmith, is raising three children: August, known as Gus; Oscar, called Ozzie; and their youngest, Louise or Lou. In a September 10 interview with People, Moore spoke candidly about the difficult period when her two sons contracted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before Lou was born, highlighting her aim to raise awareness about children’s health and the vital role of supportive friendships among mothers.
In 2023, prior to the arrival of their third child, Gus and Ozzie were both battling RSV. This viral infection caused significant stress for Moore and Goldsmith, leaving them feeling vulnerable.
“It was a super helpless feeling,”
Moore explained.
“I mean, we were lucky in the sense that it didn’t include a hospital trip, but my husband and I were still really shook and very concerned.”
Concerned about Lou possibly contracting RSV after her birth, the couple carefully considered their options and chose to have her immunized shortly after she was born. This decision brought Moore immense relief, giving her a greater sense of security during an unsettling time. Since then, she has collaborated with other notable moms—including Gaby Dalkin, Elaine Welteroth, Shawn Johnson East, and Katya Echazarreta—to promote awareness of a monoclonal antibody medication that helps prevent RSV in infants.
The Power of Mothers Supporting Each Other Through Parenthood
Beyond discussing health issues, Moore has emphasized how essential it is for mothers to form strong networks of support as they face the challenges of parenthood.
“I think moms have to lean on each other. Nobody gets it like another mom,”
she said.
“That’s why it’s been such a gift to be able to lean on my friends in this particular mom squad.”
She further highlighted the collective mission shared by her group of mom friends:
“I think we all kind of have this shared goal of caring about new and expecting parents, and, in particular, being able to talk about everything, especially the health of our kids.”
While advocating specifically for RSV awareness, Moore underlined the broader importance of having other parents as pillars of support.
Describing the close bonds formed since becoming a mother, Moore reflected,
“It’s so much fun to be able to lean on those kinds of friends … and I feel like the friendships that I’ve made since becoming a mom are deeper than anything I ever expected. And I’m so unendingly grateful for them.”
These connections have provided her with invaluable emotional strength throughout her parenting journey.
A Lasting Commitment to Raising Awareness and Encouraging Community
By sharing her family’s experience with respiratory illnesses and vocalizing the value of supportive mom communities, Mandy Moore is helping to shine a light on pressing children’s health issues while fostering a culture of empathy and mutual help among parents. Her efforts to inform others about preventive health measures for children, combined with her emphasis on solidarity among mothers, suggest a continuing role in advocacy and public education moving forward.
