After receiving backlash over a picture of her 8-month-old baby, Phoenix Barron, Aris Hilton recently talked about the heartache she’s experienced. The TV star vented her frustration in an emotional Instagram post, saying that it is “unacceptable” for anyone to make disparaging remarks about her child.

The 42-year-old Hilton shared a number of pictures of Phoenix, who she shares with her husband Carter Reum, on October 19, during the infant’s first trip to New York City. The pictures should have been a happy occasion, but instead they caused unanticipated criticism, with some commenters making offensive comments about Phoenix’s appearance. Hilton responded after a TikTok user brought attention to the unfavorable comments, telling followers that her “angel is perfectly healthy” and that he “just has a large brain.”

In a follow-up post on her Instagram Story, Hilton delved deeper into her reaction to the comments. “Living life in the spotlight, comments are inevitable,” she said. “But targeting my child, or anyone’s child for that matter, is unacceptable.” Hilton’s message underscored the pain she felt from seeing her son at the center of such negativity.

She commented, “This breaks my heart more than words can express.” “I’ve put a lot of effort into creating a loving, respectful, and accepting environment, and I expect the same amount of respect in return.” Hilton claims that no matter what she does, she will always be judged as a new mother navigating life under intense public scrutiny.

“People think I’m not a good mother if I don’t publish pictures of my child. Some people feel free to say nasty and horrible things if I do,” Hilton clarified. Phoenix is “perfectly healthy, adorable, and angelic,” she said, calling him a “blessing” in her life. ” She added, “I’ve dreamed of being a mom for as long as I can remember, and every day with him reminds me of what truly matters.”

Hilton concluded her message by urging people to show more kindness, especially when it comes to innocent children. “It’s hard to understand how anyone could target such innocence,” she shared. “I hope we can all treat each other with a little more empathy and compassion.”

Hilton and Reum welcomed Phoenix via surrogate on January 16, after tying the knot in 2021. She announced Phoenix’s arrival just days later with a close-up photo showing her holding his tiny hand, captioned, “You are already loved beyond words 💙.”

Hilton recently told PEOPLE that she has a lot of family support, particularly from her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton. She added that she frequently seeks parenting guidance from her mother and her sister, Nicky Hilton, saying, “[My parents] are absolutely obsessed with him.” “I feel so fortunate to have such a supportive group around us and to be so close to my family.”

Hilton is committed to protecting her child and creating a caring, supportive atmosphere for her family even as she embraces parenthood in the spotlight.