Hayley Erbert may have just soft launched her and Derek Hough‘s baby on Instagram.
In a video shared on Instagram on Sunday, the dancer posted a reflective reel filled with highlights of 2025, however fans seem to think that the it shows a blink-and-you-miss-it clip of Hough rocking a baby towards the end.
“Derek’s holding the baby!” one fan speculated. “Congratulations!!!”
“So happy to know you and baby are good and healthy!” another said. “Anyone else see Derek and the baby?’
“I cried happy tears watching this—you are so sincere and grateful and sweet —I believe it has to be real …both of you!” a third said. “Here’s to new beginnings and memories.”
The speculation also comes after Hough also added the initials “ECH” to his Instagram bio, leading fans to think that he shared the initials of the baby’s name. It’s worth noting though, that the couple has not formally announced the baby’s birth.
Related: Derek Hough Drops Major Baby Hint and Fans Are Getting Excited
While fans initially predicted that Erbert would give birth on Christmas day, and then suspected the baby was born by New Year’s Eve, the two continued to share videos expressing excitement for the baby’s arrival, including a sweet video of a rainbow on Christmas day.
“Is this a sign?” theDancing with the Starsjudge wrote. “After a downpour, the most beautiful rainbow appeared. Like a little sign from the universe. Maybe it’s our little one’s way of saying hello with a grand entrance. Our little rainbow baby , we’re ready to meet you.”
Erbert also shared gorgeous photos of her and her baby bump on Christmas Eve. She also shared a batch of polaroids showing the stages of her pregnancy journey.
“Forever in awe of my body!” she wrote.
The couple, who announced they were expecting in July, documented Erbert’s pregnancy on social media with adorable videos and photos showing off her growing baby bump as well as preparation for the little one’s arrival. Hough and Erbert also shared in this time that they previously suffered a miscarriage.
Of his wife’s pregnancy, Hough shared on The Jennifer Hudson Show in September that he “cannot wait” to be a dad.
“I felt the baby kick for the the first time and it was that feeling that everybody talks about and describes,” he recalled. “All the sudden everything became vivid and different, I’m like, ‘I’m going to feel something I’ve never experienced before’ and I can’t wait.”
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
