A mother from Massachusetts has sparked controversy after sharing a TikTok video of her 9-month-old son, Weston, in a bassinet, prompting significant online backlash. The video, which has garnered over 2.6 million views, features a caption that reads, “My sweet boy is not a fan of the mornings,” showcasing Weston’s displeased expression upon waking.
The mother, Lauren, 28, faced criticism from viewers who expressed concern regarding the safety of placing her son in a bassinet at his age. In response to the backlash, Lauren explained to Newsweek that Weston primarily sleeps in a crib but is occasionally placed in the bassinet with a bottle while she prepares for work. This arrangement sometimes allows him to drift back to sleep, as depicted in the video.
“He is an amazing baby,” Lauren noted, emphasizing that Weston typically goes to bed at 20:30 and is not particularly fond of early mornings. “He enjoys a long three- to four-hour nap during the day,” she added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants should sleep in a crib or bassinet within the same room as their parents or caregivers until they reach at least 6 months of age. Lauren shared her experience as a first-time mother, admitting that transitioning Weston to his nursery was a challenge. “It just wasn’t something I was ready to give up yet,” she reflected, acknowledging that many new mothers may relate to this struggle.
Despite receiving comments such as “Why is that full-size man in that crayon box?” and “Girl, that is so unsafe; he’s way past bassinet age,” Lauren chose to maintain a lighthearted perspective on the criticism. She later posted additional playful content featuring Weston in various locations, including a bath and laundry basket, humorously suggesting they were his new sleeping spots.
“Some of the comments were just ridiculous,” Lauren remarked. She expressed gratitude for those who voiced genuine concerns, stating, “Their intentions meant a lot.” Ultimately, she concluded that it is impossible to gauge someone’s parenting abilities from a brief video. “At the end of the day, you can’t truly know what kind of parent someone is or how well they care for their child from a 10-second video.”
Lauren also highlighted the positive responses to her video, mentioning that many viewers appreciated the humor and found joy in her content. “I had just as many people tell me I made their day and gave them a good laugh—and that made it all worth it,” she said.
This incident underscores the complexities of parenting in the digital age, where moments of everyday life can quickly become public spectacles, inviting both praise and scrutiny from a global audience.
