Mom Faces Backlash Over Feeding Her 6-Month-Old Baby Rare Steak

Katie Harley/TikTok

Food is a huge topic of debate when it comes to parenting. This is especially true for parents introducing solid foods to babies. From the ideal time to begin solids, to whether to use store-bought options or only homemade baby food, to testing out common food allergies, there is a lot to consider, and everyone has an opinion.

A couple of years ago, South Carolina mom Katie Harley posted a video of her baby eating a rare steak. In the comments, TikTok users debated the safety of a 6-month-old baby being served this particular meal. The seemingly innocent video ended up sparking a huge debate.

In 2022, Harley posted a video showing her 6-month-old chewing on a rare piece of steak.

@katiemayharley people loooove giving parenting advice to people who didn’t ask #momlife #momsoftiktok #baby #babydindin ♬ Major Bag Alert (feat. Migos) - DJ Khaled

In February 2022, the mom shared a TikTok video of her 6-month-old daughter, Eliza, eating rare steak, reported New York Post. "When I give my baby steak for TikTok," text in the clip read. "Thx for the views." She captioned the post, writing, "People loooove giving advice to people who didn't ask."

Many folks criticized her for giving her baby steak.

TikTokers chastised the mom for several reasons.

One person wrote: "You don't love your kid, that's the worst thing you can feed your baby with…go vegan for better health do not feed your baby with animal products."

"It’s not even cooked fully, it’s still pink," another TikTok user commented.

"Cool but you should probably cook it a bit more she’s a baby…no hate," someone else advised.

Other TikTok users were more kind with their reactions.

Still, others had less critical responses for Harley.

One TikTok user commented, "I’m just laughing at everybody in the comments and how they are mad over a baby they will never see in their lives, baby that will never affect them."

Another pointed out: "There is NO blood in your store bought meat, raw or not. Relax."

Someone else joked: "Why would anyone do this.. the baby has two hands, should have two pieces lol."

The mom posted a follow-up video a year later.

@katiemayharley #duet with @katiemayharley ♬ Major Bag Alert (feat. Migos) - DJ Khaled

In February 2023, Harley returned to TikTok with a follow-up video. She posted a side-by-side clip of her daughter eating rare steak today and the original video. "Celebrating a year since we upset the whole internet," she wrote.

Still, at least one person was horrified.

At least one person slammed Harley in the follow-up video.

The person commented: "You are sick. Babies do no have an immune system yet and so it can get seriously sick plus the fact that steak is a huge choking risk!"

For guidelines of starting your baby on solids, be sure to check out our complete guide to starting baby on solid foods, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics' latest recommendations for feeding baby solids.