In an astonishing story that has captured hearts and headlines worldwide, a newborn baby from Pennsylvania has stunned both parents and medical professionals by displaying physical abilities far beyond her age. The infant, named Nyilah Daise Tzabari, was caught on video crawling, lifting her head, and propping herself up just three days after birth — feats that most babies don’t achieve until several months old.
Samantha Mitchell, 34, the baby’s mother, shared the remarkable moment online, where it quickly went viral, leaving millions in disbelief. “I’ve spent over 20 years around children,” Mitchell said, “and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
A Startling Beginning
Nyilah was born three weeks past her due date, arriving at 43 weeks gestation on March 2, 2023. She weighed a healthy 7 pounds, 6 ounces and appeared strong from the first moment. According to Mitchell, her own mother was the first to notice something unusual when she saw the newborn lifting her head during tummy time. “My mom shouted, ‘You have to record this — no one will believe it!’” Mitchell recalled.
Taking her advice, Samantha began recording — and the footage became an internet sensation. In the clip, baby Nyilah props herself on her arms, lifts her head, and even attempts to crawl forward, movements that doctors say are normally seen at six to nine months old.
“This wasn’t a twitch or reflex,” Mitchell explained. “She was pushing herself forward and holding her head up like she had been doing it for weeks.”
Her fiancé, Ofer Tzabari, was not present at the time, and Mitchell said she knew he would never believe it without proof. “Even when I showed him the video, he thought I was exaggerating,” she laughed. “It wasn’t until others started reacting that he realized how incredible it really was.”
A Viral Sensation
After Mitchell posted the video on TikTok, the internet exploded with reactions. Within days, it had millions of views and more than 6.6 million likes. Comments flooded in — a mix of awe, humor, and sheer disbelief. One viewer joked, “She’ll be applying for college by next week at this rate!” Another quipped, “That baby’s been here before — she’s got unfinished business!”
Many parents commented that they’d never seen such early strength in an infant, while pediatric specialists weighed in online to express both curiosity and caution. According to Healthline and the American Academy of Pediatrics, most infants develop the ability to lift their heads between one and three months old, and true crawling rarely occurs before six months.
Extraordinary Development
But Nyilah’s progress didn’t stop there. By 18 days old, she was already rolling from her belly onto her back. At two months, she was rolling in both directions and showing signs of wanting to stand.
“She refuses to sit still,” Mitchell said. “If you try to hold her in your lap, she pushes up and locks her legs. We’re not trying to encourage it, but she just does it on her own. She has this determination that’s unbelievable.”
Mitchell and Tzabari say their daughter has also shown surprising cognitive awareness. By six weeks, Nyilah was already mimicking sounds, trying to repeat simple words and phrases like “I love you.” Mitchell said, “She babbles back at us like she’s having a conversation. If we laugh, she tries to copy our sounds to make us laugh again.”
The family’s social media pages have since turned into a global forum for parents sharing stories of their own “advanced” babies, though few compare to Nyilah’s unprecedented abilities.
Medical Reaction
Pediatric experts who viewed the footage say that while it’s rare, such early strength is not impossible. Some attribute it to Nyilah’s being born post-term — three weeks after her due date — meaning she may have had a bit more neuromuscular development than typical newborns. Others suggest that genetic factors could play a role.
Dr. Leanne Porter, a neonatal development specialist, commented, “While this level of muscle control is unusual for a three-day-old, we sometimes see early coordination in babies who spend extra time in the womb. It’s fascinating but not something to worry about — she’s clearly healthy and thriving.”
Mitchell says doctors who examined Nyilah were amazed but reassuring. “They just kept smiling and saying, ‘You’ve got a strong one there,’” she said. “They told me to let her grow at her own pace and not try to slow her down.”
A Family in Awe
Ofer Tzabari, experiencing fatherhood for the first time, said he didn’t realize how unique his daughter’s behavior was until strangers began telling him so. “At first, I thought this was normal. I had no idea most babies don’t do this,” he said. “Now, I just watch her every day in disbelief.”
Mitchell calls her daughter “a miracle in motion.” She describes Nyilah as a happy, curious baby who smiles often and thrives on interaction. “She’s such a joyful, smiley baby,” Mitchell said. “She wakes up smiling, she goes to sleep smiling. We’re constantly in awe of her.”
The couple has been careful to emphasize that they aren’t pushing Nyilah to advance faster than she should. “We don’t force her to do anything,” Mitchell clarified. “She’s just naturally driven. If she doesn’t want to sit, she won’t sit. If she wants to move, she moves.”
The Internet’s Fascination
The viral video has drawn both scientific interest and endless social media attention. Some users praised Mitchell for documenting her daughter’s development, while others marveled at how rapidly news spreads in the digital age. Within days, news outlets around the world picked up the story, turning baby Nyilah into an unlikely internet celebrity.
Despite the attention, Mitchell and Tzabari say they’re focused on enjoying their daughter’s journey rather than the spotlight. “Every day with her is something new,” Mitchell said. “One day she’s rolling over, the next she’s trying to talk. It’s like she’s in a hurry to see the world.”
The video continues to gain views months later, with parents and professionals alike commenting on the mystery and beauty of early child development. In a world filled with bad news and controversy, the story of Nyilah Daise Tzabari offers something pure and uplifting — a reminder of how astonishing human life can be from its very first moments.
As for Mitchell and her family, they’re simply enjoying the ride. “She surprises us every day,” Mitchell said with a smile. “We don’t know what’s next — but whatever it is, we can’t wait to see it.
