New Mother Responds to Backlash Over Viral Baby Kissing Boundary Video
A first-time mother who faced fierce criticism for not allowing family members to kiss her newborn baby has now addressed the backlash in an exclusive interview. Haeli Christiansen, a 31-year-old parent from Virginia, found herself at the centre of a social media storm earlier this month when a TikTok video showing her gently stopping her mother from kissing her grandson went viral.
The Viral Moment That Sparked Controversy
The now-famous clip showed Christiansen kissing her young son before her mother leaned in to do the same. In a swift but gentle motion, Christiansen gave her mother a light tap on the head to prevent the kiss. "Gently reminding my mom to not kiss my newborn," she wrote in a text overlay, adding in the caption: "The word of the day is 'boundaries.'"
The video quickly amassed over 12.3 million views, generating heated debate among viewers. While many parents expressed support for Christiansen's approach to protecting her infant's health, others were quick to criticise her actions, with some suggesting they felt sympathy for her mother.
Health Concerns Behind the Parenting Decision
Now, Christiansen has explained the serious health considerations behind what many viewers interpreted as a humorous moment. "My husband and I made a decision to try to keep our baby healthy and safe," she told the Daily Mail. "And at the end of the day that means more to us than someone in the comments saying I'm a bad mom because someone can't kiss my son for a couple months."
The mother explained that when she gave birth to her son, TJ, in October 2025, it coincided with peak flu season. Given that infants "don't have an established immune system or ability to fight illness themselves like adults do," she and her husband established a firm rule: no extended family or friends would be permitted to kiss their newborn for the first six months of his life.
"A common cold for adults could land a newborn in the hospital and be a life-threatening situation," Christiansen emphasised, revealing a personal connection to the issue. "Also from personal experience - when I was a baby, I was hospitalized twice from being kissed by family who didn't know they were sick at the time."
Family Support and Unexpected Viral Reaction
Contrary to assumptions made by some viewers, Christiansen insists her family members "were not upset" by the boundary. Surprisingly, she revealed that her mother was actually the one who encouraged her to implement the rule in the first place.
"Before he was born, [my mom] emphasized to me that I shouldn't let people kiss him from her own experience with me," Christiansen shared. "She's been very supportive. The rest of our family has been supportive as well. No one has really pushed back on us."
The new mother expressed surprise at the intense reaction to what she intended as a lighthearted video. "We made the video and laughed thinking it would get a few hundred views and maybe resonate with some new moms," she explained. "I didn't think it was something that was so controversial. I definitely did not expect this video to get the attention it has or spark the debate it has."
Addressing Criticism and Looking Forward
Despite facing comments ranging from accusations of being a "bad mom" to suggestions she was "ruining her baby's life," Christiansen remains steadfast in her parenting decision. She clarified that the kissing restriction is temporary, applying only to the first six months while her son builds his immunity.
"Our family and friends still love him and have loved visiting with him," she stated. "Whether or not they are able to kiss him doesn't determine the love they have for him."
Christiansen also addressed concerns that she might be sheltering her child excessively. "Despite what some comments have suggested, we haven't and don't plan to keep him 'in a bubble,'" she asserted. "There's a big difference between that and just asking people not to put their mouth on my child for a few months."
Encouraging Other Parents
Despite the negativity that emerged from the viral video, Christiansen says she's glad she posted it and hopes it will empower other new parents. She expressed hope that her experience would encourage others to "feel confident" in making whatever decisions they believe are best for their babies' health and wellbeing.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about modern parenting approaches, family boundaries, and how social media amplifies personal decisions into public controversies. As Christiansen's experience demonstrates, what begins as a private family moment can quickly become a talking point for millions, sparking conversations about health, relationships, and parental autonomy.
