Heather Rae El Moussa says she's 'protecting' her 'energy' after being criticized for 'bragging' about her son's first flight on a private jet

• Heather Rae El Moussa shared an Instagram post about her son's first plane ride.
• She shared advice about the experience, but social-media users criticized her because they flew in a private jet.

Heather Rae and Tarek El Moussa subtly defended themselves after people criticized a post Heather made about her son on Instagram.

Heather, 35, and Tarek, 41, welcomed their first child together, Tristan, in January. Tarek shares Taylor, 12, and Brayden, 7, with his ex-wife and "Flip or Flop" costar Christina Hall.

On Tuesday, Heather posted a series of photos of her family on a private jet, writing in the Instagram caption that it was Tristan's first flight.

"Took Tristan on his first flight ever with Tay and Bray so they could be with us at The Flipping Summit and see us in our element," she wrote. "Tristan did such an incredible job and mom-tip, I breast fed him on the way up and then again on the way down to help with ear popping."

"It worked perfectly and then the rest of the flight he just giggled, played and looked around and was so happy & didn't cry once… he loved the new environment," she went on to say.

But social-media users were quick to criticize Heather in the comments of her post, saying her experience on a private jet wasn't the same as the experience parents face on commercial flights.

"Love that it went well but many moms can't relate to your flight experience on a private jet," one person commented.

"Not all Mamas have the luxury of a private plane," another person commented. "But good for you and your 'tips.'"

"Life of the 2%," someone else commented. "Best to keep this experience to yourself. Bragging about your flight isnt becoming."

Heather seemed to respond to the comments on her Instagram story on Wednesday.

First, she posted a selfie to her story of herself and Tristan with the caption: "Protecting our energy."

She then shared a post about her experience touring the Baby2Baby warehouse, writing in the caption: "The world needs a lot more of this and less hate & negativity." She shared the same post to her Instagram story.

Tarek also quietly defended his wife in the comments section of her original Instagram post.

A social-media user responded to one of the negative comments on Heather's post to defend her, writing: "A plane is a plane — flying is flying — she breast fed him before and after and that's what helped nothing to do with being in a private jet."

Tarek responded to the comment with three clapping-hands emojis, showing his support for his wife.

He separately commented "love you guys" on the post.

Heather and Tarek's first joint show, "The Flipping El Moussas," premiered in March, and on Thursday, Heather announced she would appear in the upcoming season of "Selling Sunset," which premieres on May 19.

Representatives for the El Moussas did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.