To think that social services wouldn't give a shit about this

[NameChangeThread]

DS has napped in the pram outside since birth. Always wrapped up and dressed appropriately and either a rain cover or net over the pram depending on weather. Garden has 6ft fences and a bolted gate. Window is always cracked open so I can hear him cry, in summer the back door is wide open and I'm sat out with him anyway. I check on him regularly. And I am fully aware that this is a very 'old fashioned' thing to do, however I like DC to get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, and he naps a lot better outside.

A neighbour from the next street (her back garden is opposite to mine) has just come and knocked on my door and said how dangerous it is to leave a baby outside by themselves. I said I am completely okay with leaving him outside to nap and I have no worries that he could be hurt in any way so she doesn't need to worry. She told me I 'had to do something about it' or she would 'report me'. I told her that I doubted SS would be bothered about this, and she said they definitely would as it is child neglect and abuse?

I honestly cannot think of any rational (or likely) situation which could happen that would cause him any harm by doing this. If anything it is beneficial to him (and me). Because he gets a decent nap, sunlight and plenty of fresh air and I get a bit of peace and quite, and just enough time to regain my sanity!! I cannot be the only person who still does this surely? I know it happens a lot in other countries but it can't have just stopped happening in the UK?

You sound like you know what you are doing. I doubt any marauding tigers are going to make off with your child.

It’s a bit strange. You said it’s a way of regaining your sanity - how so?

WTf does she think will happen?

Does he cry while he's outside?

I don’t think they would. Your neighbour is a nosy cow.

My grandparents told me to put DS outside to nap. I didn’t do it very often, but that’s because he preferred to sleep on the floor. There’s nothing wrong with it.

I would imagine ss have actual cases of child neglect and abuse to deal with rather than some busy body making a big deal out of nothing.

It isn't strange at all. I did this too.

t’s a bit strange

It's not slightly strange. It's the absolute norm in many countries and was in the UK until relatively recently, it couldn't be less strange.

I heard that some nurseries line the babies up outside to sleep as they sleep better.

I didn't do it as we have a problem with foxes and I liked to sleep when my babies slept, but I see nothing wrong with it.

It's fine - SS won't be interested. My two slept outside all the time, I think it's lovely.

You don't say how old DS is but I guess there is the tiny risk of SIDS if under 6 months, and even with that there is probably so much 'noise' outside that the risk is probably not much different do being in a room with you watching TV.

Just ignore. At worst you might get a phone call.

Sounds fine to me. Fresh air always makes babies and kids sleep better. It used to be a very common thing to do.

Unless you are going to drop feed you love next door to Jurassic park or something?

Are you leaving him crying outside?

Eh? It's not strange.
Babys in a pushchair in a secure garden not in a dinner bowl in a lion enclosure

frantically - it was lighthearted, i mean that I get an interrupted hour of childless time and don't have to speak baby language or play with lego.

Spaghetti nope, he just naps. If he were crying then I would settle him of course.

You do need to be mindful of foxes and actively keeping an eye on him rather than just listening. But I highly doubt that he would come to harms as it is. SS definitely wouldn't care.

Have you considered the likelihood of pterodactyls swooping down from the sky? Acid rain? Godzilla attack?
Seriously, I did this with my children on every dry day when they were small. As long as the garden is safe and secure, and you’re within earshot, it’s fine.

SS don’t have the resources to deal with children who are genuinely at risk, so they certainly won’t give a shiny shit about a baby napping in the garden!

@NameChangeThread in that case I suppose if they aren’t crying then it’s not an issue

I'm glad my neighbours aren't knobbers like yours. My DS has always loved an al fresco snooze. Fresh air is good for them and encourages better night time sleep too. If you lived at the top of a high rise block of flats by an A road and were dumping him out the front then she would have a point. Not when he is in a secure garden and you can see and hear him.

You do need to be mindful of foxes

Not in most areas considering I doubt is putting the baby out at night.

Not even slightly strange - ss will tell her the same, as long as baby is appropriately dressed nd in a secure area it's perfectly fine

Where I live now they actually have little baby houses to facilitate sleeping outside in all weathers.

They are brilliant things!

Well I'm a childminder and I do it, my inspectors (who in Wales are part of social services) have never had a problem with it. If anything I can keep a closer eye on them as they are right outside my patio doors.

I often used to put dd outside in her prom in summer and either sat out with her or pottered around in the kitchen. Didn't do her any harm.