Nurse Hannah's viral TikTok video sparks debate over toddler's flinch reaction
Nurse and parenting influencer Hannah Hiatt, better known as Nurse Hannah, caused a stir on TikTok after posting a video in which her son flinched when approached by his father in a grocery store. The now-deleted clip quickly went viral, prompting widespread concern and speculation about the child's reaction.
In the video, Hiatt's toddler appeared startled, raising his hands defensively as his father approached. The seemingly fearful response sparked concern among viewers, with one commenter asking, "Why is a toddler flinching at anything?" Others described the boy’s body language as "purely defensive" and expressed worries that he seemed "legitimately scared." Some even suggested that the child might need to be "taken somewhere safe." This led many other TikTok moms to test their own children's reactions, making similar movements to see if their children would flinch.
However, not everyone shared the same concerns. Some parents pointed out that their own children responded very differently. One mother shared a video where her child seemed unfazed by similar movements, while another noted that her child laughed instead of flinching. These responses led some users to suggest that flinching could be a natural reflex rather than a sign of fear. Others noted that children may have varied reactions depending on their personalities or the context.
In response to the growing concerns, Hannah posted a video defending her husband, explaining that the original clip showed a playful moment between father and son. She assured viewers that nothing sinister was happening and emphasized that her husband is "the most loving and nurturing father." Despite the speculation, her video, which has garnered over 17 million views, helped clarify the situation and sparked further discussions about children's reactions and parental concerns on TikTok.