Hamilton mum accidentally alarms 'neighbourhood watch' while driving sleeping baby around streets

neighbours calling police on woman driving son around
Missen told Newshub after she owned up to being the "suspicious" vehicle her fellow neighbours were "really understanding". Photo credit: Getty/TikTok.

If you're a new parent with a baby who just won't drop off, you'll know all about doing just about anything to get them to stay asleep once down - including driving the car around the block countless times. 

But one Hamilton mum has left the internet in stitches after revealing her attempts to lull her two-month-old son off to sleep caused suspicion in her local community Facebook group. 

Karina Missen, 29, posted a TikTok video containing screenshots of the post in the 'Greenhill Park Community & Residents' group. 

"This car has been circling on Capper Crescent seven times in the past 10 minutes. Should I call the police?" the concerned person asked, with an accompanying photo of Missen's car.  

It kickstarted a debate from other residents, with many suggesting a call to the police. 

"Take your phone and show the people in the car driving past you are recording them," one person recommended.

"This car was doing the same thing yesterday. Perhaps go out to your letterbox and get a plate number," another wrote. 

Missen was forced to jump into the conversation, writing: "Sorry! No, it's me! My two-month-old fell asleep in the car!"  

"When you're trying to get your baby to sleep and your local community group is worried you're scoping the place out," she captioned the video, which included the narration: "Tell me you're a mum, without actually TELLING me you're a mum." 

The hilarious clip racked up over 75,000 views, with other amused parents being able to relate. 

"I feel so bad for you. It's so tough when they are little but this is hilarious," one person wrote. 

"My partner does laps around the supermarket car park while I run in and grab things. He gets a lot of looks!" added another. 

"I do this on the motorway!" another wrote. 

Missen told Newshub after she owned up to being the "suspicious" vehicle her fellow neighbours were "really understanding".

"It's a great reminder for people to look out for one another. I find it reassuring really, I completely understand how it must have looked, seven times in 10 minutes!" she said.