A recent viral TikTok video has sparked reactions from users all over the world. It reveals the unique practice of Norwegian parents who leave their babies to sleep outside in cold weather.
For the Norwegians, the saying ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’ applies, so they simply swaddle their infants before heading out into frigid temperatures.
Recently, a TikTok video surfaced on social media that showed infants in Norway being left outdoors during freezing temperatures. This has caused quite a stir online, with many users expressing shock and disbelief at the unconventional parenting technique.
Olly Bowman (@mrmelk_), an Australian TikToker, shared a video of the babies outside.
“Another day in Norway, another group of babies left out alone in the cold,” he said.
“Look how many there are.”
Olly added: “It helps with their breathing and makes them more independent.
“It’s actually why so many people leave home earlier in Norway than other countries.”
Naturally, many social media users were baffled by the concept, with one commenting: “Are babies not kidnapped in Norway? My anxiety would never.”
Someone else said: “No. Freaking. Way.”
A third wrote: “I’m sorry WHAT.”
Children “had longer naps outdoors” in comparison to indoors, according to a 2008 Finnish study that was published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.
There was a risk of hypothermia in particular cold weather, so it’s crucial to make sure kids are properly dressed, the authors noted, adding that “parents’ experiences were generally good and most parents had not faced potentially dangerous situations.”
Bowman, inspired by the video’s popularity, took to the streets of Oslo to ask parents why this parenting habit is so common in the country.
It does, according to one participant, “depends on where you are,” adding, “In Oslo, absolutely.”
Another person said that they knew people who did it but made the decision not to do it themselves – though not for the reason you might suspect.
They retorted, “I know a lot of strollers have also been taken, but people don’t steal the strollers when there are infants inside of them.
A third responded, “I could go inside for a coffee and leave her outside for a few seconds, but I always want to watch over her. I want to check on her and see whether she is crying.
They added that since their child was a newborn, they might think about “leaving her for a bit longer” until she is a little older.
Another person claimed to have “many acquaintances” who leave their infants outside while they enter a café, claiming that this practice is “quite popular.”
According to the proverb “There’s no such thing as terrible weather, only lousy clothes,” they simply cover the infant.
In comments on the second video, numerous other people also spoke up to declare that the practice was “completely common” in a variety of Nordic nations. One person wrote: “I live in Norway and have a Norwegian fiancé… it’s totally usual where we are.”
Another person remarked: “I’m from Denmark; I live in Copenhagen; and, to be honest, I see a baby sleeping outside every day and have NEVER heard of a child being taken.”
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