Most parents at some stage share pictures of their children online.
Whether it's on personal social media channels or in parenting forums, it can seem harmless to show off your little one.
But this mom's experience will almost certainly put you off sharing images of your kids online.
The new mom shared the warning to other parents in Reddit group Baby Bumps after innocently posting images of her newborn in the group.
This will put you off sharing images of your kids online
“Ladies please be aware of people who may try to prey on pictures of your new babies. I understand this is an exciting time for all of us with new babies.
“I recently graduated a year ago with my miracle baby. I was so happy to be a part of this group, so once my sweet babe was born I posted his graduation pictures in the group."
Graduated is the term used on the site for progressing from a baby bump to a baby.
She continued: "Some time later I noticed I was being followed by a couple different followers who are now blocked, but they were essentially pages who fetishized pregnant women as well as new babies.
“I am absolutely disgusted and revolted and immediately blocked these pages. I am saying this so that we can all protect each other.
“As a mama bear it ignited an anger in me that I have never seen and I have doubled down on the fact that this is the world that we live in and we really must watch our children and surroundings at all times albeit if online or in outside scenarios. Please be safe and enjoy your new babies.”
Online horrors
And judging by the responses, it seems she's not alone.
Another mom shared: “After my first son was born I posted pictures of him on Instagram now and then.
“They were always clothed, nothing super personal. I've never been one to get a lot of unwanted attention from random men online, but it started immediately after I became a mom. Absolutely gross messages from men I've never even heard of before, fetishizing me being a mom. That's why my IG is private now.”
