Mom Challenges Men To Hold Baby Like Her, Results Say It All

Newsweek - Mar 31st, 2025

A Dubai mom, Avery Stump, created a viral Instagram reel challenging male family and friends to hold her 7-month-old baby, Regis, on their hip as she does. The video, which amassed over 10 million views, humorously showcases the struggles and failures of the participants, with only one friend, Thomas, managing a passable attempt. Newsweek interviewed Stump and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Claire Shannon to discuss whether physiological differences affect how men and women hold babies. Dr. Shannon explained that due to anatomical pelvic differences, women typically have a natural 'shelf' that facilitates the hip hold, whereas men may find it more challenging due to their narrower pelvic structure.

The video sparked widespread discussion online, with many viewers debating if men can hold babies as effectively on their hips as women. The social media engagement highlights the appreciation for gender differences and the unique challenges they present in daily parenting tasks. Dr. Shannon noted that while it might be more difficult for men, it isn't impossible, emphasizing that one's build, flexibility, and strength play roles in successfully mastering the baby hip hold. The story underscores the intersection of anatomy, gender roles, and parenting, offering a humorous yet insightful look at everyday challenges faced by parents.

Instagram Parenting Challenges Viral Video Avery Stump Gender Differences Baby Hip Hold Dr. Claire Shannon Pelvis Structure

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively captures a humorous and relatable social media challenge, drawing attention to gender differences in childcare. It provides a balanced view by including personal experiences and expert commentary, though it could benefit from additional perspectives and deeper exploration of societal implications. The sources are credible, but the story would be strengthened by more comprehensive sourcing and transparency regarding the selection process for participants and public comments. Its engaging and clear presentation ensures readability and captures public interest, though its impact on societal change is limited. Overall, the article succeeds in entertaining and informing readers about a relevant topic, while leaving room for further exploration and discussion.

Accuracy

The story provides a generally accurate account of Avery Stump's challenge to men in her life to hold her baby on their hips. The description of the participants and the outcomes of their attempts align with the reported events. The claim that the Instagram reel garnered over 10 million views and 403,000 likes is specific and verifiable, though it requires direct verification from the platform. The inclusion of expert commentary from Dr. Claire Shannon supports the physiological claims about pelvic differences. However, the specific details of user comments and the broader societal implications of such differences could benefit from additional context and verification.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including both the personal experience of Avery Stump and expert commentary from Dr. Claire Shannon. It provides perspectives from the participants and the public, capturing a range of opinions on the gender differences in holding a baby. However, the article leans slightly towards emphasizing the humor and novelty of the challenge rather than deeply exploring the societal implications of gender roles in childcare. Including more perspectives from men who successfully hold babies or additional expert opinions could enhance the balance.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a straightforward narrative structure that guides the reader through the challenge and its outcomes. The language is accessible and engaging, making the content easy to understand. The inclusion of direct quotes from Avery Stump and Dr. Claire Shannon adds clarity to the key points. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of the scientific aspects of pelvic differences to ensure full comprehension by a general audience.

Source quality

The primary sources include Avery Stump, who initiated the challenge, and Dr. Claire Shannon, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, providing credible insights into the physiological aspects. The reliance on Instagram for data about the video's popularity is appropriate given the context. However, the story would benefit from additional sources, such as comments from other medical professionals or sociologists, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. The use of social media comments as a source of public opinion is valid but could be supplemented with more structured survey data for robustness.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its sources, citing Avery Stump's Instagram and Dr. Claire Shannon's expertise. However, it lacks detailed methodology on how the participants were selected and the criteria for judging their attempts. The basis for Dr. Shannon's comments on physiological differences is not fully explored, leaving room for further explanation. Greater transparency regarding the selection of public comments and their representativeness would also enhance the article's credibility.