The interest of Americans has been peaked after a viral video showed the common Nordic tradition of leaving napping babies outside in the cold.
In Norway, many moms leave their babies napping in strollers alone, as they visit cafes to have a coffee inside. The tradition is normal, but couldn’t be more different than the culture in America. After being shown in a viral video, it’s left many bewildered, but there’s a reasonable explanation behind it, with many Norwegians even sharing their own memories of the practice.
The viral video confused many online
TikToker Olly Bowman posted his video from Norway back in February, documenting the practice and providing a brief explanation. This month, however, it gained traction yet again after a popular Instagram account shared it once more.
“Another day in Norway, another group of babies left out alone in the cold,” Australian Bowman told the camera, showcasing a line of strollers left outside with no adults around.
“It helps with their breathing and makes them more independent,” he explained. “It’s actually why so many people leave home early in Norway.
Norway moms really do leave their babies outside
It might seem mindblowing to many, but it’s true and it’s nothing new to Nordic countries. Moms regularly leave their children napping in cold weather outside, with the belief that it has various medical benefits and encourages good health.
The tradition is believed to have started following a tuberculosis epidemic in Norway, which was put down to poor ventilation in homes. In 1926, Dr David Thorsteinsson published a book advising moms to leave their babies to nap in strollers and promoting the benefits of fresh air for the immune system of babies.
The idea that cold air can boost a child’s immune system is also well believed but not-so-well proven, with few studies proving it.
A 2008 study found that napping outside usually begins when a child is 2 weeks old and generally occurs once a day. Parents of babies at the Finnish daycare the study looked at reported being happy to let their baby rest in temperatures as cold as -15°C (5°F).
Despite concerns in the comments of the safety of the children outside, Nordic countries tend to have far lower crime rates and frequently rank as some of the world’s happiest countries.
A cause for concern?
Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician, told Insider in 2020 that her main concern isn’t the cold or strangers, but inside the lack of supervision for the baby’s safety.
“My concern is supervision,” she told the publication, proposing the idea that if a parent isn’t nearby, they won’t know if danger occurs, like the baby stops breathing, for example.
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