Mum sparks fury for admitting to tanning newborn
A young mother split the internet in half when she shared the shocking news on social media that she was self-tanning her four-month-old son.
In a clip posted to her TikTok, the 21-year-old could be seen holding her baby, with the text “when everyone is telling me to stop self-tanning my baby but the loving tan employees have families to feed” across the screen.
The video hit viral heights, gaining over 1 million views along with its varied - and passionate - response.
Many were quick to voice their outrage at the young mum and her “selfish” move, calling into question the health risks that such a tanning process might pose to Kylen Suttner’s son, Suede.
“Gosh, those chemicals can hurt a little one's skin,” one dismayed user wrote. “Their skin is so sensitive when they're babies.”
“Disgusting!” another declared. “So horrible.”
One was concerned that Suede was going to “grow up thinking he isn’t good enough naturally, especially to the one person who would love him unconditionally”.
“Why does a baby need a fake tan... so unnecessary,” someone else said.
Meanwhile, another just wanted to know “is this a joke, I can't tell?"
Others seemed of the opinion that it was, with some even replying to similar questioning comments to share that the baby reportedly had jaundice, and this was his mother’s way of making light of the situation.
And it turns out that that was exactly the case.
As criticism continued online, heating up as the story blew up across news outlets, Kylen made the confirmation with The Post that it had all been a joke.
“He had jaundice and looked really tan when he was born,” she explained to the outlet. “Everyone commented on his colour, so I decided to make a joke about it.
“I would never actually use self tanner on my baby.
“I feel like most people understood it was a joke. But the few who didn’t were appalled that I would self tan my baby.”
For those who understood the truth of the situation, it was an opportunity to get in on the fun with Kylen, with many making the announcement that this would be “me as a mum” too.
“I love this,” one said. “I wish I had his skin colour.”
“You gotta keep the tan up,” came one joke, referencing a popular Family Guy meme, “it’s a lifestyle Brian”.
“So funny to me that people think you’re being Fr [for real],” another shared.
Images: TikTok