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“I Finally Snapped”: Karen Chooses The Wrong Person To Bully At The NICU And Gets Schooled
New mom holding newborn baby wrapped in blanket, showing tender moment in hospital setting inside NICU unit.
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“I Finally Snapped”: Karen Chooses The Wrong Person To Bully At The NICU And Gets Schooled

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Giving birth is an emotional roller coaster: joy, exhaustion, and everything in between. Moms go through so much, physically and emotionally, and once their little one arrives, they’ll do anything to give them the best start. But what happens when someone disrupts those tender bonding moments?

A woman shared her NICU experience, where her efforts to provide crucial skin-to-skin contact with her premature baby were repeatedly interrupted by a pushy neighbor. Instead of backing down, she handled the situation with a touch of humor and boldness, turning an uncomfortable encounter into a memorable moment of triumph. Keep reading to see how she stood her ground!

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    New moms face countless challenges, and dealing with a Karen during such a stressful time can be overwhelming

    New mom holding newborn in hospital bed, illustrating a NICU experience with a nosy neighbor and malicious compliance.

    Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

    A woman shared how she sacrificed her privacy in response to her NICU neighbor’s unnecessary complaints

    New mom’s hilarious malicious compliance story about shutting down a nosy NICU neighbor after early birth.

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    New mom’s hilarious malicious compliance story brings levity to a scary NICU experience with a nosy neighbor.

    New mom practicing skin-to-skin time with premature baby in NICU, handling challenges with humor and malicious compliance.

    NICU baby monitors showing heart rate and oxygen levels while a new mom deals with a nosy neighbor using malicious compliance.

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    New mom’s malicious compliance in NICU setting blocks monitor, shutting down nosy neighbor while getting skin-to-skin time.

    Text excerpt from a new mom’s story showing a nurse confirming the NICU setup is not blocking care or view.

    New mom with infant in NICU crib, focusing on baby's legs with hospital wristband, highlighting a nosy NICU neighbor situation.

    Image credits: Curated Lifestyle (not the actual photo)

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    Text excerpt showing a new mom’s experience involving malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor.

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    New mom uses hilarious malicious compliance to shut down a nosy NICU neighbor interfering with baby’s care.

    Text describing new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with nosy NICU neighbor after hospital frustration.

    Text excerpt from a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance story involving a nosy NICU neighbor and hospital staff.

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    Text excerpt showing a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor about privacy and discomfort.

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    New mom’s hilarious malicious compliance response to a nosy NICU neighbor stops unwanted questions.

    New mom in hospital gown resting by the window, reflecting quietly in a calm NICU environment.

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    Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

    Text excerpt showing a new mom’s humorous malicious compliance in the NICU, shutting down a nosy neighbor with a clever stunt.

    Image source: apprehensive_lurker3

    Parenting is full of unique challenges that test patience and resilience 

    New mom holding newborn wrapped in a blanket, showcasing a tender moment related to NICU and malicious compliance.

    Image credits: Solen Feyissa (not the actual photo)

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    No matter how many parenting books you read or how much advice you get, nothing truly prepares you for the moment your baby arrives. Parents often rely on their instincts and intuition, finding their own unique way to care for their little one as they navigate this new chapter of life.   

    One thing many parents find incredibly special is skin-to-skin contact, often referred to as kangaroo care. This practice involves holding your baby close, with their bare skin touching yours. It’s not just a bonding moment; it’s also packed with amazing benefits for both the baby and the parent.  

    The term “kangaroo care” is inspired by kangaroos, who carry their joeys in their pouches. Similarly, during skin-to-skin time, parents become their baby’s safe space, providing warmth, comfort, and security in those early days of life.

    One of the most immediate benefits of skin-to-skin contact is its ability to regulate a newborn’s body temperature. Since newborns have an immature thermoregulatory system, they can struggle to maintain their body temperature. This close contact with a parent’s warm skin helps stabilize their temperature and reduces the risk of hypothermia.

    Skin-to-skin contact is a beautiful way to create a special bonding moment with your baby

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    New mom holding baby's hand gently, illustrating caring bond and a humorous NICU neighbor situation.

    Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

    Skin-to-skin also works wonders for a newborn’s heart rate and breathing patterns. The gentle rhythm of a parent’s heartbeat and the soothing rise and fall of their chest can help regulate the baby’s vitals, creating a sense of calm and stability.  

    Did you know that skin-to-skin contact can boost a baby’s immune system too? By being exposed to their parent’s skin microbiome, the baby’s immune defenses are strengthened. It’s like nature’s way of giving the little one a head start in building their immunity.    

    Babies who experience regular skin-to-skin contact tend to sleep better and establish healthy sleep patterns. It also supports successful breastfeeding, helping the baby latch more effectively and promoting overall growth and development.  

    One of the most heartwarming benefits of skin-to-skin time is its ability to reduce stress and crying. This close contact lowers stress hormones in the baby, helping them feel safe and secure. As a result, they cry less and are better able to regulate their emotions.  

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    Beyond the physical benefits, skin-to-skin contact strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child. This closeness fosters a deep sense of connection, creating a secure attachment that is crucial for the baby’s emotional development as they grow.  

    Unfortunately, in the author’s story, their precious skin-to-skin time was disrupted by an overly concerned NICU neighbor. This interruption led to a creative act of defiance and some much-needed levity during a stressful time. What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you have your own stories about navigating parenting challenges? 

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    People online, including fellow NICU moms, praised the new mom for how she handled the situation

    Reddit comments discussing a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor situation.

    Screenshot of an online comment thread discussing a new mom’s experience with a nosy NICU neighbor and malicious compliance.

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    Comments discussing the lasting impact of NICU alarms on parents of preemie babies and their experiences.

    Alt text: Online discussion showing new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance dealing with a nosy NICU neighbor’s behavior

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    Reddit conversation about a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor’s behavior.

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    Screenshot of a discussion about a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor.

    Reddit conversation showing a new mom sharing her NICU story with humor and malicious compliance.

    Screenshot of a social media comment about a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance in the NICU setting.

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    Comment discussing a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance to handle a nosy NICU neighbor with snuggling advice.

    Comment from a NICU doctor explaining yellow card system for rude visitors and praising new mom’s handling of a nosy NICU neighbor.

    Comment discussing a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor after childbirth.

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    Text conversation highlighting new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor about screen blocking monitor view.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment showing a humorous reply in a discussion about a nosy NICU neighbor and malicious compliance.

    Comment from a new mom supporting another NICU mom, highlighting the hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy NICU neighbor.

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    Comment praising a dad for standing up in the NICU, highlighting a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance with a nosy neighbor.

    New mom uses hilarious malicious compliance to handle a nosy NICU neighbor during an overwhelming experience.

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    Comment about new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance dealing with a nosy NICU neighbor and skin time with a premie.

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    Comment about NICU baby milestone and breastfeeding success shared by new mom dealing with a nosy NICU neighbor.

    Comment section discussing a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance in the NICU with a nosy neighbor.

    Comment discussing a doctor’s perspective on breastfeeding in a NICU setting and dealing with nosy neighbors.

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    Text post describing a new mom's humorous labor story with NICU and hospital challenges in a medical setting.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment describing support for premature babies in NICU, illustrating a new mom’s malicious compliance story.

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    Comment on a forum post expressing support for a new mom’s hilarious malicious compliance against a nosy NICU neighbor.

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    Comment about new mom’s breastfeeding experience and comforting baby bonding amid nosy NICU neighbor situation.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment from a NICU mom expressing laughter over a post about malicious compliance with a nosy neighbor.

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    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

    Read less »
    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

    Ieva Pečiulytė

    Ieva Pečiulytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

    Read less »

    Ieva Pečiulytė

    Ieva Pečiulytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

    What do you think ?
    Ipetmykitteh
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She said Karen mom kept doing it. I would have stripped an extra piece of clothing each time she pulled her shenanigans til o was cuddling baby nekkid.

    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's always one Karen in the birthing unit. Mine was a nurse who insisted that at 9pm every single night she had to wake me and my newborn up, even if we'd just got to finally sleep. She would stomp into the room loudly, turn on the light as bright as it could go and scare the hell out of me and my baby. Then she'd demand to take my blood pressure and claim she couldn't work out why it was so high! I was isolated and a first time Mum, both baby and almost died at the birth and I got put in a room alone from HDU where I'd spent my first days unconscious. Funny thing was is this Karen was all over my husband like white on rice.

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's when you request she not be assigned to you again because she's actively harming your health and your baby's health.

    Load More Replies...
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    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel sorry for OP, but the total overreaction to b00bs!.. Why in this day and age? And in a hospital of all places.

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think they were both over the top. Given their babies were in the NiCU it's understandable that their emotions were high and they weren't thinking clearly. The people I blame are the nurses and doctors. Poorly run hospitals have staff that don't take action when they should. In this case talking to the other mother and giving her a warning. And insisting OP have a privacy screen.

    Mari
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a baby in NICU. First rules to enter: washing your hands, put on a apron, put on your face mask and forbidden to look at the other babies or to talk to other parents.

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh lordy, for the sake of the kid I hope she's not *always* like this.

    Mophead
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the situation with my 2nd baby. I had noticed a mother who looked like she had stepped out of a Vogue magazine and the thought of how did she get to even put make-up on whizzed into my fogged brain... then lunch had been finished and all mums were asked to but their trays on the rack ready to be wheeled back to the canteen, then supermodel walked past the nurses and said to them, "My tray is in my room" Without no hestitation I just shouted "Hey Prissy Knickers get your tart painted a**e into your room and get your own fudging tray. If you wanted private service you should have gone with Bupa!!" Everyone started whooping and laughing as she tossed her blow-dried hair as she turned to get it, looking at me like dirt on her kitten mules. Two midwives came to thank me as she had been a utter nightmare.

    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm the youngest of 13 kids and due to crazy a*s circumstances: one Sister was born in a hospital waiting room, one brother in a hospital hallway, another in a hospital elevator and a sister that came early and ended up being delivered at home by our next door neighbor, who was a German lady that barely spoke english. The last one was, because we only had one car at the time, Sis came early while Dad had the car at work. Mom, befriended our next door neighbor Mrs. D, who was a little old lady from Germany that had married a US Soldier during WWII. This all took place in the 60's, needless to say most of our neighbors weren't exactly kind to Mrs. D. There was several Military Vets in the area my Parents were living in, so being German didn't make her very popular. Grandpa (Dad's side, that committed s*****e in1995) was a WWII Veteran, so Mom had to keep their friendship a secret, since he blew his fūcking top when he found out she delivered my Sister.

    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unfortunately, American's weren't exactly kind and welcoming to German and Japanese immigrants, especially because it was still close to the end of WWII. I have a very COMPLICATED family, when it comes to our Parents and my siblings that I'm not even going try to explain. Anyways, by the time Mom had me, boundaries and modesty went out the window and Mama had ZERO fūcks left to give. I adopted the same attitude after I was diagnosed with Cancer the first time in December 2017 and when I became Mom's 24/7 caregiver the last 3 years of her life. TLDR: Sometimes life and circumstances have you develop a complete ZERO f***s and fūck it all attitude in order to survive.

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    Ipetmykitteh
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She said Karen mom kept doing it. I would have stripped an extra piece of clothing each time she pulled her shenanigans til o was cuddling baby nekkid.

    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's always one Karen in the birthing unit. Mine was a nurse who insisted that at 9pm every single night she had to wake me and my newborn up, even if we'd just got to finally sleep. She would stomp into the room loudly, turn on the light as bright as it could go and scare the hell out of me and my baby. Then she'd demand to take my blood pressure and claim she couldn't work out why it was so high! I was isolated and a first time Mum, both baby and almost died at the birth and I got put in a room alone from HDU where I'd spent my first days unconscious. Funny thing was is this Karen was all over my husband like white on rice.

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's when you request she not be assigned to you again because she's actively harming your health and your baby's health.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel sorry for OP, but the total overreaction to b00bs!.. Why in this day and age? And in a hospital of all places.

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think they were both over the top. Given their babies were in the NiCU it's understandable that their emotions were high and they weren't thinking clearly. The people I blame are the nurses and doctors. Poorly run hospitals have staff that don't take action when they should. In this case talking to the other mother and giving her a warning. And insisting OP have a privacy screen.

    Mari
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a baby in NICU. First rules to enter: washing your hands, put on a apron, put on your face mask and forbidden to look at the other babies or to talk to other parents.

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh lordy, for the sake of the kid I hope she's not *always* like this.

    Mophead
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the situation with my 2nd baby. I had noticed a mother who looked like she had stepped out of a Vogue magazine and the thought of how did she get to even put make-up on whizzed into my fogged brain... then lunch had been finished and all mums were asked to but their trays on the rack ready to be wheeled back to the canteen, then supermodel walked past the nurses and said to them, "My tray is in my room" Without no hestitation I just shouted "Hey Prissy Knickers get your tart painted a**e into your room and get your own fudging tray. If you wanted private service you should have gone with Bupa!!" Everyone started whooping and laughing as she tossed her blow-dried hair as she turned to get it, looking at me like dirt on her kitten mules. Two midwives came to thank me as she had been a utter nightmare.

    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm the youngest of 13 kids and due to crazy a*s circumstances: one Sister was born in a hospital waiting room, one brother in a hospital hallway, another in a hospital elevator and a sister that came early and ended up being delivered at home by our next door neighbor, who was a German lady that barely spoke english. The last one was, because we only had one car at the time, Sis came early while Dad had the car at work. Mom, befriended our next door neighbor Mrs. D, who was a little old lady from Germany that had married a US Soldier during WWII. This all took place in the 60's, needless to say most of our neighbors weren't exactly kind to Mrs. D. There was several Military Vets in the area my Parents were living in, so being German didn't make her very popular. Grandpa (Dad's side, that committed s*****e in1995) was a WWII Veteran, so Mom had to keep their friendship a secret, since he blew his fūcking top when he found out she delivered my Sister.

    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unfortunately, American's weren't exactly kind and welcoming to German and Japanese immigrants, especially because it was still close to the end of WWII. I have a very COMPLICATED family, when it comes to our Parents and my siblings that I'm not even going try to explain. Anyways, by the time Mom had me, boundaries and modesty went out the window and Mama had ZERO fūcks left to give. I adopted the same attitude after I was diagnosed with Cancer the first time in December 2017 and when I became Mom's 24/7 caregiver the last 3 years of her life. TLDR: Sometimes life and circumstances have you develop a complete ZERO f***s and fūck it all attitude in order to survive.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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