New mom Maci Mugele recently went viral on TikTok after revealing that her four-month-old son, Gunner Mattheyer, already weighs 22 pounds and is over two and a half feet long. The video, which highlighted Gunner’s playful spirit and impressive size, quickly gained attention. Maci described him as being in the “100th percentile and beyond” for both height and weight.
While many found the chubby baby endearing—admiring his soft cheeks and baby rolls—others were more judgmental. Some accused Maci of overfeeding her son, with a few extreme commenters even labeling it “child abuse.”
Despite the criticism, 21-year-old Maci, from Chandler, Oklahoma, stood her ground. She explained that Gunner’s growth has been consistently ahead of the curve—even before birth—and that medical professionals have assured her everything is perfectly normal. Gunner was born healthy at just over 8 pounds and has since gained weight steadily.
The TikTok, which racked up more than 20 million views, drew both praise and criticism. Maci expressed disbelief at being judged for simply feeding her baby when he’s hungry. She pointed out that withholding food from a hungry infant would be far more harmful.
The video’s comment section became a battleground. While some users mocked Gunner’s size—comparing baby formula to bodybuilder supplements—others rushed to Maci’s defense. She found it upsetting that people would ridicule a child, adding that the comments reflected more on the critics than her as a parent.
Thankfully, support also poured in. Many praised Gunner’s cuteness and reminded others that babies grow at different rates. Several reassured Maci that “chunky” babies often slim out as they grow older and that Gunner may simply be on track to become a tall, healthy kid.
The viral moment sparked a bigger conversation about parenting, body image, and the intense scrutiny moms can face online—even over something as natural as a baby’s growth.
