A new craze is sweeping across TikTok, and it’s leaving viewers stunned. Moms are proudly showing off their babies—some of whom are enormous, with rolls and chubby limbs that make viewers gasp. But this isn’t just about cuteness. These infants are genuinely huge, with some weighing as much as a one-year-old, months before their first birthday.
The hashtag #BigBaby has gone viral, racking up tens of millions of views. Parents post videos of their little ones, and fans are equally fascinated and concerned. Oklahoma mom Maci Mugele recently shared a video of her four-month-old son Gunner. He’s already 22 pounds and two-and-a-half feet long—nearly half her own weight. In another clip, influencer Houri Hassan-Yari introduces her six-month-old, described as a “99th-percentile” baby. The post has been seen more than 44 million times.
Fans flood the comment sections with amazement. Questions like, “What are you feeding him?” and “How did he get out?” appear repeatedly. But amid the fascination, medical experts warn that this viral trend reflects a more serious issue: babies are being born bigger than ever, and the reasons go beyond TikTok.
Why Babies Are Growing Bigger Than Ever
Doctors call this condition foetal macrosomia, which literally means “big body.” Babies with macrosomia weigh 8 pounds 13 ounces or more at birth. Normally, about one in ten babies fits into this category. But statistics show that number is climbing.
Dr. Dimitrios Siassakos, a professor of obstetrics at University College London, says, “Babies are getting larger. Using the traditional 90th percentile as a cut-off, we’d expect only 10 percent of babies to have macrosomia—but today, the real number is higher.”
Experts point to two main culprits: rising obesity rates and increasing cases of diabetes during pregnancy. Even women of normal weight can develop gestational diabetes, which often goes undetected and can lead to unusually large babies.
The Two Types of Large Babies
Doctors distinguish between symmetric and asymmetric macrosomia. Symmetric babies grow in proportion—their long frames match their weight. These infants are typically born to tall parents and usually face few health problems.
Asymmetric macrosomia, however, raises major concerns. These babies carry extra fat around the tummy, chest, and shoulders. Experts say untreated gestational diabetes in the mother is the primary cause. Around one in twenty women in the UK experiences this condition, though some estimates suggest it could affect one in five.
Gestational diabetes happens when a mother’s body cannot produce enough insulin to manage the extra blood sugar during pregnancy. It often develops in the second or third trimester and may not show noticeable symptoms.
Risks for Moms and Babies
Delivering a large baby carries serious dangers. Bigger babies can lead to longer, more difficult labor. Emergency C-sections and the use of forceps become more common. And for babies, complications can be severe.
Dr. Siassakos explains, “Macrosomic babies are at higher risk of stillbirth. They can get stuck in the birth canal, leading to shoulder dystocia. Some infants lose oxygen, which may cause permanent brain damage.” Many are delivered via C-section, which now makes up nearly half of all births in the UK.
The risks don’t end at birth. Research shows that babies born large due to maternal diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and even asthma later in life. Mothers also face long-term risks. Women who give birth to a macrosomic baby have four times the chance of developing diabetes themselves.
Spotting the Danger Early
One of the biggest challenges is identifying which pregnancies are at risk. Screening for gestational diabetes only targets women with obvious risk factors—overweight, family history, or previous diabetes. Standard tests often miss half of the cases.
Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, a fetal physiology expert at Cambridge University, warns that many women affected are normal weight or slim. “When untreated, gestational diabetes leads to excess sugar in the baby, causing extra fat and larger bones. The risks are real for both mother and child.”
Symptoms like unusual tiredness, frequent urination, and extreme thirst may signal a problem, but many cases remain hidden until complications arise during birth.
How to Prevent Having a Giant Baby
The good news is that macrosomia is preventable in most cases. Lifestyle changes remain the most effective solution. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and help mothers and babies avoid long-term health problems.
Prof. Siassakos says, “You don’t need anything drastic. Common-sense diet and movement can make a big difference. Taking action early protects both the mother and the baby from serious complications.”
While viral videos of chunky babies might seem adorable, experts urge parents to remember that bigger isn’t always better. The trend may be entertaining online, but in real life, carrying and delivering a giant baby can have serious consequences—ones that extend far beyond the nursery.
