Last Updated:
A video by Bengaluru nutritionist Sonakshi Sharma went viral, sparking controversy for showing her child in a high chair and a domestic worker’s child eating on the floor.
Screengrab of video shared on Instagram.
A Bengaluru nutritionist’s parenting video went viral, stirring controversy on social media due to its striking contrast between her child eating in a high chair and a domestic worker’s child eating on the floor. The video, which was made and shared to showcase baby-led weaning (BLW), sparked heated debates about parenting styles, privilege and class sensitivity.
Nutritionist Sonakshi Sharma is known for sharing health and parenting content online. She uploaded the video in question on Instagram, BLW, a self-feeding approach for toddlers.
In her video, Sharma argued that the concept isn’t foreign to India and has long existed in Indian households.
“Remember our mums being so busy with housework that they used to leave us with the food, and in that process we learnt to eat. BLW is just the same story wrapped in a seemingly exorbitant cover,” She said in the caption of her video.
The video clip starts with Sharma sitting comfortably on a sofa while her baby enjoys a meal in a high chair. However, what caught everyone’s eye – and criticism was that her domestic worker’s toddler son is shown eating kheer and roti, seated humbly on the floor.
The video sparked intense backlash due to its stark contrast, with many social media users criticising it for inadvertently highlighting socioeconomic disparities, despite its focus on parenting methods.
However, later Sharma explained that the intent was never to compare, several viewers found the visual cue difficult to ignore.
Sharma addressed the criticism in an edit to her original video, clarifying that the two clips were filmed on different days and that the child in question simply chose to sit on the floor.
“I don’t practise idiotic things like untouchability in 2025, for God’s sake! We just valued this child’s preference, that’s it. I understand that those showing concern are good people, but this child doesn’t really need your pity for such a trivial thing,” she wrote in the comments section.
“You’re seeing a ‘househelp’s child’ sitting on the floor, while I’m seeing just a child who chose to sit on the floor—the same way my daughter would sometimes choose to do the same floor where we regularly sit and eat,” she added.
The video sparked a heated debate among social media users, with some defending the nutritionist’s explanation and others criticising her for filming and sharing the clip that highlighted the stark contrast between her child’s life and her domestic worker’s child.
“Whatever your justification is, it still sends the wrong message. This comparison reel was unnecessary. It clearly showed a difference in privilege,” one user commented.
“Try to ensure the kid sits on the couch or at least at a table. The contrast between the children is obvious, even if unintentional. People are going to judge based on what they see,” another added.
“Interesting to see how people here are missing the whole point of this reel, and are crying about the child sitting on the floor instead and other equally unnecessary things.. tells a lot about our society,” a viewer shared.
Despite creator Sonakshi Sharma’s intentions, the visuals in her video overshadowed her message, highlighting the disconnect between her goals and the audience’s perception.
- First Published:
