TikToker Documents Norwegian Custom Of Leaving Babies Alone Outside In Freezing Weather, Goes Viral
Imagine you are walking down the street on a cold February morning, and you see an unattended flock of strollers. This might seem a bit strange, but then you notice, there are live babies inside each, just sleeping in the freezing winter air. Even stranger, all the passersby seem to think this is normal and don’t pay any attention to the dozen or so babies outside, alone.
Well, this was the surprised reaction many people had to Australian TikToker Olly Bowman’s post about the situation described above. He shared a clip of babies sleeping in strollers outside and gave some context about the tradition.
For most people, unattended children left in the cold would be cause for concern
Image credits: mrmelk_
This man nonchalantly passed a crowd of baby buggies laying around outside
Image credits: mrmelk_
This is completely normal in Norway, even in winter
Image credits: mrmelk_
Parents just leave them outside to sleep in the fresh air
Image credits: mrmelk_
Locals believe it has health and psychological benefits for growing children
Image credits: mrmelk_
He believes it also explains why Norwegians are early risers
Image credits: mrmelk_
Watch the full video here
@mrmelk_ True story #viking #ting ♬ original sound – Olly Bowman
Norway isn’t alone, many people in the Nordic countries prefer to let babies sleep outside
While the actual practice might be older, pediatricians in Scandinavia started actively promoting the idea of letting children nap outside in the 1920s. The poor air quality indoors was a major factor at the time, as the average house was built for insulation, not ventilation. At the time, they believed that cold air helps with circulation and strengthens the baby’s immune system. While most commenters wondered about the kidnapping risks, the Nordic countries have relatively low crime rates and are often described as high-trust societies. The primary risk to the child is from cold-related injuries and conditions.
Despite the risks and limited evidence of any benefits, most parents in Scandinavia still feel like it’s a normal practice. In a study of Finnish parents, the child having a cold and nearby smoker were perceived as the main barriers. It is important to note that the parents would rarely be far from the child since surveys showed that most would actively monitor the weather and noise conditions of the area. Even parents who were skeptical of the practice still would leave their children to sleep outdoors, as they see it as a cultural practice. This, arguably, means the tradition has more mental benefits for the parents than health benefits for the kids.
The great outdoors is a great place for a kid, with the right supervision
If a parent wants to try this with their child but lives in a risky area, or a country where leaving their kid unattended is the norm, there are still a few things they can try. If it’s cold out, just open a window to simulate the outdoors where the baby is sleeping. In the US, it may be risky even in safe areas. For example, in 1997, a Danish woman in New York City was arrested for leaving her baby in a stroller outside a restaurant while she ate. The police held her in jail for 36 hours. In Scandinavia, many strollers come with wheel locks and parents can also buy wedges that keep it stationary on an incline or in high wind. Some places also sell insulated strollers and video monitors for the parent to keep an eye on.
While cold weather specifically might not be that beneficial for a baby, being in a natural environment is. Studies have shown that playing outdoors helps a child’s immune system develop. This is why many Scandinavian countries use nature-focused daycares. Some classes are even held outside in Denmark, as a way to maintain the child’s health. Some go as far as to hold most activities in nature, as part of the forest school program. The goal is to spend as much time outdoors as possible and to remove any fear or unease of nature that kids from urban environments often develop.
American commenters express their surprise at how safe Norway must be
Some commenters added that most Nordic countries and some others actually practice this
Image credits: loudexpat
Image credits: annieineventyrland
46Kviews
Share on FacebookI am a New Yorker. Many years ago a woman visiting from Northern Europe was detained by the police for leaving her sleeping baby outside while she and her husband sat in a Manhattan cafe, alongside a window through which they could see the infant. Child protective services investigated. I cannot remember if they temporarily separated her from her child, but it was terrifying to see this mix-uo occur.
She should have done research to know that not all countries do this.
Load More Replies...In the US we can't even order a package from Amazon and not have it stolen off your front door step. I can't imagine leaving a baby outside unattended!
It's strange for me to see that packages are just left outside.... In Hungary you need to sign for it, the package cannot be left behind unattended.
Load More Replies...Our friends came to visit Canada, a very safe country, from Denmark and almost got arrested for child abandonment because they left their infant in a stroller outside a restaurant in downtown Vancouver! I mean, who does that??? They were shocked ..
Perhaps not in freezing weather, but if the baby is properly dressed, it's done in Hungary too. At least it was.
I can only say that I did this too in Germany. That was 2 years and 6 years ago. Can‘t speak for everyone though.
Load More Replies...Americans absolutely stunned while rest of world is unfazed, because dumb Americans. Thanks again BP.
I am American, since birth, any immigration is 4 generations removed from me in both of my parent's families, so i am definitely 100% American and I can indeed confirm, yes dumb Americans. look at my comments in my profile. about seven thirds of them will prove beyond doubt that i am one of them, or us, or we.... er whatever.
Load More Replies...I once asked an American girl on holiday in France, what the major difference was that she noticed. Her answer? "Americans are scared of everything."
Yeah. I cannot decide whether it's just the films that show so many crimes, or the USA is really so dangerous? In my opinion, weapon owning shouldn't be allowed, but I understand the historic root of carrying arms. But it's just so dangerous. Things can escalate pretty quickly.
Load More Replies...Just the thought of doing this in USA gives me a panic attack. You'd be arrested in a hurry and investigated, story would be in the newspaper, would likely lose job.
I happened to be living with my grandmother (an RN who trained in 1916 and 1917) when my middle child was born in February 1960. The day he came home from the hospital (2 days old and in February) she had him outside in his carriage sleeping. (This was in the U.S.)
So Americans have a fit and a panic attack about babies and children left to sleep safely outside in the fresh air, yet aren't concerned enough about the gun epidemic that kills their children in schools enough to actually do something about it
I’m from Scotland and it’s common there too, at least it used to be. I’ve been gone 30+ years. My 2 oldest were born there. They would get fed, Changed and loved on, then tucked up nice and snug in a big Silver Cross pram and parked in front of the window. It was a different world back then, late 80s/early 90s. My youngest was born in the US. I wouldn’t even consider leaving her outside, unless I had a 10ft high solid steel fence with an extremely high voltage!
literally what other country is safe enough for this. Definitely not America ill tell you that
I'm less worried about the kidnapping than I am about them freezing to death.
They are well-dressed and covered. They will not freeze to death.
Load More Replies...Go back to your drum-circle, please and thank you.
Load More Replies...I am a New Yorker. Many years ago a woman visiting from Northern Europe was detained by the police for leaving her sleeping baby outside while she and her husband sat in a Manhattan cafe, alongside a window through which they could see the infant. Child protective services investigated. I cannot remember if they temporarily separated her from her child, but it was terrifying to see this mix-uo occur.
She should have done research to know that not all countries do this.
Load More Replies...In the US we can't even order a package from Amazon and not have it stolen off your front door step. I can't imagine leaving a baby outside unattended!
It's strange for me to see that packages are just left outside.... In Hungary you need to sign for it, the package cannot be left behind unattended.
Load More Replies...Our friends came to visit Canada, a very safe country, from Denmark and almost got arrested for child abandonment because they left their infant in a stroller outside a restaurant in downtown Vancouver! I mean, who does that??? They were shocked ..
Perhaps not in freezing weather, but if the baby is properly dressed, it's done in Hungary too. At least it was.
I can only say that I did this too in Germany. That was 2 years and 6 years ago. Can‘t speak for everyone though.
Load More Replies...Americans absolutely stunned while rest of world is unfazed, because dumb Americans. Thanks again BP.
I am American, since birth, any immigration is 4 generations removed from me in both of my parent's families, so i am definitely 100% American and I can indeed confirm, yes dumb Americans. look at my comments in my profile. about seven thirds of them will prove beyond doubt that i am one of them, or us, or we.... er whatever.
Load More Replies...I once asked an American girl on holiday in France, what the major difference was that she noticed. Her answer? "Americans are scared of everything."
Yeah. I cannot decide whether it's just the films that show so many crimes, or the USA is really so dangerous? In my opinion, weapon owning shouldn't be allowed, but I understand the historic root of carrying arms. But it's just so dangerous. Things can escalate pretty quickly.
Load More Replies...Just the thought of doing this in USA gives me a panic attack. You'd be arrested in a hurry and investigated, story would be in the newspaper, would likely lose job.
I happened to be living with my grandmother (an RN who trained in 1916 and 1917) when my middle child was born in February 1960. The day he came home from the hospital (2 days old and in February) she had him outside in his carriage sleeping. (This was in the U.S.)
So Americans have a fit and a panic attack about babies and children left to sleep safely outside in the fresh air, yet aren't concerned enough about the gun epidemic that kills their children in schools enough to actually do something about it
I’m from Scotland and it’s common there too, at least it used to be. I’ve been gone 30+ years. My 2 oldest were born there. They would get fed, Changed and loved on, then tucked up nice and snug in a big Silver Cross pram and parked in front of the window. It was a different world back then, late 80s/early 90s. My youngest was born in the US. I wouldn’t even consider leaving her outside, unless I had a 10ft high solid steel fence with an extremely high voltage!
literally what other country is safe enough for this. Definitely not America ill tell you that
I'm less worried about the kidnapping than I am about them freezing to death.
They are well-dressed and covered. They will not freeze to death.
Load More Replies...Go back to your drum-circle, please and thank you.
Load More Replies...
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