23-05-2025
‘Please don't use these!' people plead as mum shows how she's protecting her newly-crawling twins from painful falls
A MUM has found herself at the centre of backlash after sharing a video of her newly-crawling twins.
Influencer Brittany Miller is mother to twins Emiliano and Elijah, and has been keeping fans updated about their progress since her pregnancy.
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In her latest video on TikTok, Brittany revealed the nine-month-olds had started crawling "at the exact same time", as she got them to demonstrate their new skills.
The clip showed the babies crawling towards a toy Brittany had placed out of their reach.
But people commenting on the video were quick to question why the boys were wearing what appeared to be some kind of backpack while they were crawling.
"What on earth have they got on their backs?" one commented on the video.
"Babies struggle with balance while sitting up, so the plush backpacks cushion their head if they tip backwards," someone else replied, adding that "lots of parents use them".
But others pleaded with Brittany to ditch the backpacks, as they can actually cause more harm than good.
"Pleeassee don't use these," one wrote.
"They teach them they will never hurt themselves if they fall back and could end up hitting something much harder when walking.
"They're very dangerous and shouldn't be sold at all!"
"It prevents them from learning to fall safely," another argued.
I had my first kids from age 18 & my next 3 in my 30s, but being a teen mum was easier - the last year has been savage
"Babies' heads are big and are meant to get a few light bumps for them to understand dangers and boundaries," a third said.
"It's very normal!"
"Amazing how we all survived without these and my 4 kids all lived too," someone else laughed.
"It's a money-making thing, honestly!"
"What about the front of their head? Makes no sense!" another argued.
And someone else posted on Reddit to insist that their doctor had warned them against using the pillows.
Different parenting techniques
Here are some widely recognised methods:
Authoritative Parenting
This technique will often foster independence, self-discipline, and high self-esteem in children.
It is often considered the most effective, this technique is where parents set clear expectations - enforcing rules - whilst also showing warmth and support.
Authoritarian Parenting
This is opposite to authoritative parenting, as it is where the parent sets high demands but is low on responsiveness.
It involves ensuring the child is obedient and often employ punitive measures. While this can lead to disciplined behaviour, it may also result in lower self-esteem and social skills in children.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parents tend to be indulgent and lenient, often taking on a role more akin to a friend than an authority figure. They are highly responsive but lack demandingness, granting children a lot of freedom. This method can nurture creativity and a free-spirited nature but may also result in poor self-regulation and difficulties with authority.
Uninvolved Parenting
Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is marked by low responsiveness and low demands. Parents in this category offer minimal guidance, nurturing, or attention. This often leaves children feeling neglected, which can have significant negative effects on their emotional and social development.
Helicopter Parenting
Helicopter parents are extremely involved and overprotective, frequently micromanaging their children's lives. Although their goal is to protect and support, this approach can hinder a child's ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills.
Free-Range Parenting
Free-range parenting encourages children to explore and learn from their surroundings with minimal parental interference. This method promotes independence and resilience but requires a safe and supportive environment to be successful.
Attachment Parenting
According to Attachment parenting focuses on physical closeness and emotional bonding, often through practices such as co-sleeping and baby-wearing. This approach aims to create secure attachments and emotional well-being, but demands significant time and emotional commitment from parents.
Each of these parenting techniques has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key is to find a balanced approach that aligns with the family's values and meets the child's needs for a healthy, happy upbringing.
"Our pediatrician said that there really isn't any need to have any protection.
"She said that these devices actually may even cause the baby to rely on the devices and never learn to stop falling since they don't feel the pain.
"She said that when they fall and it hurts them they will learn quickly to not do that cause it hurts them - it's like a cause and effect thing."
However, there were those who agreed with Brittany's decision to utilise the protection cushions - especially as it seems the majority of her downstairs has hard flooring rather than carpets.
"I think she's making a very safe decision with those," one argued.
"Wtf, I have 4 kids - had I known these exist I would have used them!" another insisted.
"Imagine telling someone not to do the upmost to protect their children because 'kids should hurt themselves'. Okkkk!"
"I used these for my daughter from 4 months when she was sitting up independently and she was fully walking at 10 months with no problems at all," a third said, adding "every baby's different!"
