My giant baby is 23 pounds — other parents accuse me of abuse but I know my child is healthy

Internet trolls could not wait to bash the mother of this adorable newborn, a big and healthy boy who has become the latest target of online cruelty. Like vultures circling a carcass, social media users have swarmed 21-year-old Maci Mugele, accusing her of mistreating her baby, Gunner, simply because of his size. The Oklahoma mother shared a lighthearted video of her smiling four-month-old, who weighs an impressive 22.5 pounds, and was stunned when the post drew an avalanche of harsh criticism.

Comments like “OMG poor baby,” “Can babies get diabetes?” and “This should be child abuse” flooded in within hours. Some people even made snide jokes about “Ozempic,” a medication used for weight loss, implying that her baby might need it. What was meant to be a proud and funny moment for a new mom quickly turned into a painful reminder of how cruel the internet can be.

The video, which has now been viewed nearly twenty million times on TikTok, shows Mugele holding her chubby bundle of joy with pride. She added a caption that read, “When you have a 100th percentile, off-the-charts 4-month-old,” followed by a playful description: “22.5 pounds of pure muscle.” Her tone was lighthearted, celebrating her baby’s healthy size and her own amazement at his rapid growth. Yet, many viewers chose to twist her humor into something darker, accusing her of overfeeding or neglecting her son’s well-being.

Maci’s baby, Gunner, was born on February 19 and has been healthy and thriving ever since. According to his mother, he is not just above average in weight, but also in height. He stretches over two feet tall and already wears clothing made for toddlers. Doctors have assured Mugele that her son’s growth is normal for his build and genetics. Some babies are simply larger than others, and Gunner happens to fall in the higher percentiles for both height and weight.

Despite that reassurance, the negativity online has taken a toll on Mugele. In follow-up videos, she explained that she never expected her post to go viral or attract such hateful attention. “It is just a baby,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “He is happy, healthy, and loved. That is all that should matter.” Many viewers agreed, rushing to defend her and condemn the cruel remarks. Supporters praised her for sharing a real and joyful part of motherhood rather than trying to present a filtered, picture-perfect image.

Unfortunately, the internet often turns innocent moments into public controversies. The anonymity of social media makes it easy for strangers to judge without compassion. In this case, a proud young mother found herself at the center of unwanted attention, targeted for something that should have been celebrated. Mugele’s story highlights how quick people are to criticize mothers, especially young ones, for every decision they make.

Still, Mugele remains positive. She has continued to post updates about Gunner, sharing his milestones and laughter with those who support her. She refuses to let online bullies steal her joy or make her ashamed of her baby’s healthy body. “He is perfect just the way he is,” she said in one video, smiling as Gunner giggled in her arms. “If people have a problem with that, that is their issue, not mine.”

What began as a viral video has now turned into a broader conversation about online shaming, motherhood, and body image. Maci Mugele’s experience reminds us that behind every viral clip is a real person, often a young parent doing their best. Instead of tearing each other down, perhaps social media could use a little more kindness, especially when it comes to the innocence of a child.