‘My back hurts!’: Mom goes viral for sharing struggles of raising a baby in the 99th percentile for weight

Have you ever looked at your baby and thought, Wow, you’re a whole toddler already? Well, Brittany Opetaia-Halls can relate. 

The Brisbane mom went viral after sharing her experience of giving birth to a baby in the 99th percentile for size on TikTok. Her daughter, Milana-Mae, was born in June 2024—and she’s thriving. At just six months old, she weighs 22 pounds, 9 ounces (about 5 pounds heavier than the average baby her age) and is already wearing clothes made for one-year-olds. The video, which has garnered over 219,000 views, struck a chord with parents who’ve had similar experiences with larger-than-average infants.

In her TikTok, Brittany candidly addresses the physical toll of carrying and delivering a large baby, asking fellow parents, “And my back hurts—does yours hurt? Like, how are you doing it?” Her relatable humor opened the door for a flurry of empathetic comments from viewers.

One user shared, “I had a baby that was 12lbs 6oz. He came out of the hospital wearing zero to three month clothing and size one [nappies].” Another added, “My son was 10lbs at birth, and now at six months, he’s wearing 18-month clothing. It’s a workout just carrying him around!”

@brittanymareeopetaiahall Who elses baby is 99% percentile range? My baby girl has just turned 6 months old #babytok #mumsoftiktok #99percentilebabies ♬ original sound – brittanymareeopetaiahalls

Brittany has always had big babies. According to the Daily Mail, her first daughter, Malayisa-Maree, was born in 2020 weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces. By the time she turned four, she was already wearing clothes designed for eight-year-olds! Milana-Mae, meanwhile, was in the 99th percentile even before she was born. Brittany, who is married to 6’2″ Rajan, shared with the Daily Mail, “At 36 weeks, they told us she was already hitting that 99th percentile size.”

Related: The first 12 months: Your baby’s growth and weight

Babies weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces are considered larger than average—a condition known as fetal macrosomia. According to the Mayo Clinic, factors like genetics, maternal health conditions (such as diabetes), and gestational age can all contribute to higher birth weights. These factors can also bring challenges during delivery, such as prolonged labor or the need for C-sections, which may be important for parents to discuss with their healthcare providers.

For parents like Brittany, raising a thriving baby in the 99th percentile comes with unique hurdles. From back pain to quickly outgrowing clothes and baby gear, it’s an adventure that keeps her on her toes. “I felt like I was rotating clothes every few months,” Brittany shared. “Something would fit one week and not the next.”

But through it all, parents find joy in their big bundles of love. As one TikTok user put it, “It’s tough on the body, but I wouldn’t trade my big bundle of joy for anything. He’s happy and healthy, and that’s all that matters.”

Brittany’s TikTok has also fostered a sense of community among parents, offering a platform to share experiences, advice, and laughs about the ups and downs of parenting larger babies. The video’s popularity highlights the importance of such conversations—because while every parenting journey is unique, knowing that others share your struggles can bring comfort and camaraderie.

So, if your little one skipped newborn clothes altogether or outgrew their bassinet in record time, you’re in good company. And yes, it’s okay to say it—your back probably hurts, too.

Related: Motherhood of the traveling baby bins: How moms are turning hand-me-downs into community