Do Scandinavian babies really nap outdoors in the cold? Immune system hack or parental myth?

IOL News

a day ago

In countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, it's totally normal to spot prams parked outside cafes or homes with babies bundled up and fast asleep in freezing temperatures.
Image: King kid/TikTok
When you hear the phrase "cold exposure" your mind might instinctively recoil at the thought of plunging into icy waters or bundling up for a winter run.
After all, South Africans are more accustomed to basking in the sun than braving the cold. While South Africans are known for bundling up babies at the first sign of a cold front, a growing global parenting trend suggests otherwise.
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Scandi-style parenting, which encourages babies to nap outdoors in the cold, is making waves on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Parents in Nordic countries such as Denmark, Finland, and Norway have long embraced this practice, believing that fresh air improves sleep quality and strengthens the immune system.
Cold exposure has long been linked to a wide range of health benefits. Research shows that immersing yourself in cold temperatures can boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and even improve mental health.
According to the Vhdehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, inhaling crisp, cold air triggers vasoconstriction - a process where blood vessels narrow, reducing swelling and clearing mucus from the nasal passages and lungs.
Parents in Scandinavia swear by this practice for one big reason: babies sleep longer and more deeply outside.
Image: King Kid/TikTok
This natural response not only helps the body fight off infections but also creates a powerful immune system boost.
In a time when many are seeking ways to ward off illness, could a bracing dip or a cold-weather jog be part of the solution?
The origins of this tradition date back to the early 20th century, when Iceland was grappling with a tuberculosis epidemic.
Poorly ventilated homes were linked to the spread of the disease, prompting Icelandic Dr David Thorsteinsson to advocate for letting children nap outside in strollers. His theory was simple: cold, fresh air would help keep children healthy.
Today, this practice is so ingrained in Nordic culture that it's common to see prams parked outside homes, cafes, and even businesses with sleeping babies bundled up against the chill.
A Finnish study in 2008 backed up this belief, finding that babies who napped outdoors slept longer than those who napped indoors. In a Daily Mail post, Pediatrician Dr Jennifer Shu, however, warns that babies' temperatures can drop four times faster than adults, making hypothermia a real risk.
Napping outside helps babies develop a healthy circadian rhythm.
Image: King Kid/TikTok
Nordic parents mitigate this by bundling their children in layers of wool and windproof clothing while keeping a close eye on baby monitors.
In many Nguni cultures, newborns and their mothers are kept indoors for extended periods to safeguard their health. Visitors are often discouraged for six months, ensuring the baby's delicate immune system is not overwhelmed.
Historically, various cultures have prioritised nutrition, natural remedies, and practices aimed at ensuring both the physical and emotional wellbeing of mothers and babies.
#paediatricpt #paediatricot #strongbaby #babyexercises #babyhack #newborn #babyexercise #nappychange #sensoryintegration #babysleepingoutside #babyplay #motordevelopment #montessoriparenting #montessori #outsidebabysleep #babytips #babydevelopment ♬ original sound - Develobaby @develobaby 🎈IN DENMARK BABIES SLEEP OUTSIDE🎈 I know this might seem a bit controversial to some of you, while it is completely normal to others of you. My home country, Denmark, is very safe, so almost everyone leaves their baby to sleep outside for naps during the day. People who live in the cities often leave their babies in the backyard of their apartment building even if they live on the fourth floor, and it's not at all frowned upon. On the contrary. You would more likely see frowning if someone was to claim that their baby never sleeps outside. Sleeping outside in all weather is considered very healthy here. Denmark is very cold in the winters, so you might think that we bring our babies in to sleep inside the house during winter. But no, babies sleep outside in all weather! Also, it is very common to see strollers parked outside cafés and restaurants with babies lying inside them. Disclaimers: ❗️Babies of course sleep inside during the nights. ❗️There are specific sleeping bags and woolen clothes designed for this so the babies are never cold. ❗️Newborns sleep inside until they are at least 4 kilograms and 14 days old ❗️The Danish Heath Department advice that babies don't sleep outside if its below 10 °C ❗️There is always a baby monitor next to the baby, so the parents know exactly when their baby is awake and needs attention and cuddles again. ❗️Babies don't get kidnapped from their strollers in Denmark. The last case happened in 1952. What do you think about this? With love, Maria ♥️ . . . . #Babypt