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

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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?

My mum questioned my parenting abilities because my babies WEREN'T put outside in their prams for two hours morning and afternoon, as apparently myself and my siblings all were.

This is the same mother who was astonished about us using occasional babysitters, as all babysitters were apparently suspected child molesters, but used to go out shopping in the afternoon and not come home till after I was back from school, waiting on the house steps for her.

We all have our own style, I doubt that SS have the resources to check up on everyone whose neighbour wouldn't do what they're doing.

i dont think its wrong but you are wrong ab out the foxes im surrounded by houses all sides and i see foxes during the day theyre quite brazen about it

Snorey if you’d bothered your arse to read the thread, you’d know how the neighbour knows.

The baby is in a pram, appropriately dress, has warm blankets and a cover. They don’t make adult sized prams for Mums.

Really...., it is good she is concerned but it is not necessarily bad for the child and I am sure social service will be unconcerned .

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21537988

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/03/return-old-habits-babies-encouraged-sleep-outside-fresh-air/

They don’t make adult sized prams for Mums

No they don't but that's a bloody good idea! I'd love someone to push me around all day so I could sleep!

Perhaps ask her if you should try this next time

Foxes are fast, they get over 6ft fences easily and they’re all over the country. However, there are pockets of new developments etc where I doubt you’d ever see one. We get them here at night, but they’re nowhere to be seen in daylight. Too busy napping after spending the night before shagging is my guess given how bloody vocal they are about it at night 🤣

The only difference putting babies outside to sleep now as compared to years ago, is that gardens generally aren’t long enough to park the baby down the far end so you can’t hear them when they wake up 🤣

You said the right thing to her. I doubt she’ll report you, but even if she does, the worst that'll happen is they’ll call or visit to make sure you’re not putting the baby out there then sodding off to the pub for the afternoon...and just to check you’re doing ok. Don’t give it another thought 💐

I was put outside as a newborn - I was born at christmas in England. I still love to sleep with lots fresh air. The window is open during the winter and I live in a very cold climate now.

ethelfleda. Me too! (as long as it was my choice, not out of necessity 😟). I’d have a lovely array of blankets and the snuggliest cosy toes. I’d sleep like a top too I’m sure.

Maggie. Shyte, that’s a step out of my comfort zone. No idea why really as I’m sure it’s as safe as houses, but holy fuck, it just looks wrong!

Babys in a pushchair in a secure garden not in a dinner bowl in a lion enclosure 😂🤣😂🤣

Personally I would only do this if I was outside too, if baby was sleeping out there. Or at the very least have pram right by an open door

This isn't strange, it's a very healthy thing to do. No, it isn't neglect and Social Services would not be in the slightest interested.
How sad that what used to be common practice is now seen as odd!

Your baby is better in the fresh air and you are keeping a watch.
If you were in a Scandinavian country, not only would your baby nap outside in the coldest of weathers (much colder than ours!) but you would leave them in the pram on the street outside the shops while you happily shopped inside...and no-one would make off with the pram either. Pity we live in a country where we can't do this....

Honestly never heard of this! The only time iv ever done this is if I was outside too, and if it was hot/cold, id place them just inside of my back door whilst I was outside. I'm not judging, just literally never heard of this. Maybe this could be the reason your naibour was shocked. I have to admit, id be a little taken aback if I'd have seen a neibour do this often. It would panick me to be honest, worrying about the heat/sun/cold. Because of the advise iv always been given about babies/children and the weather. Must be something that's not often done in my area, never heard any one mention it or had advise from any family to do this. Obviously now iv read this I know it's quite normal though. Especially as people who work in social services and nursurys have commented on the thread saying it's fine.
Is this something that you do in all weather's? Or not if it is raining/Really cold ECT..? Mine have been awful sleepers so useful knowledge for any future babies!

I'd be scared of cats jumping on to the pram. A cat can easily climb a tree and a fence. I don't think it's very safe. Although people did it years ago. And risk of kidnapping too if the child is out of your sight.

@Pastabest

Seriously?

You obviously know NOTHING about SIDS.

Silly woman.

My children, all born in the 80’s slept in the garden, in a silver cross pram. Sometimes for up 3 hours, I obviously checked on them regularly and made sure they were in the shade, under a tree. My main concern was cats who I’d heard sometimes liked to sleep on babies because the pram was cosy and warm. So I always made sure that I had a secure, strong cat net covering the hood and the main cover buttoned up. My grown up children are all fit and healthy and to say it’s a strange thing that do, well as other people have said, it’s very common in other countries. I was also a childminder for many years and the council inspector didn’t have any problems with babies sleeping this way at all. Your neighbour sounds over invested in you and what you do. Tell her to do her Miss Marple impression somewhere else, where it’s actually needed. Sounds like your doing a fine job to me. 💐

I still don't understand why you wouldn't just take the baby for a walk? Presumably because the motivation here isn't what's best for the baby but the parents having a break?
I agree re cats, but also birds (we have lots of starlings here that make a mess of the pavement. I'd hate that on my baby!), bees/wasps etc etc. The story about the fag ash from a pp is awful!

I find it difficult to believe that the OP or anyone else constantly watches their baby when outside tbh.

I get it was the done thing, but Is nobody worried about fox's, cats or wasps? My sister napped outside as a child and due to her pram smelling of milk she was attacked by wasps, think it was around 8 stings at once..

How sad that what used to be common practice is now seen as odd!

Once upon a time children were hit at school, common practice isn't always common sense or safe.

The OP has already said she uses a net or raincover to keep deter cats, these also shield from insects.

It's not rocket science 🤔

Also, comparing a low risk activity which has proven health benefits to deliberately inflicting pain on a child with no benefit whatsoever is baffling!

You can get nets to cover the pram. You can also wash it and keep the blankets clean. Wasps are more likely to sting at the end of summer/September ime, so you could limit time outdoors at that time.

I still don't understand why you wouldn't just take the baby for a walk? Presumably because the motivation here isn't what's best for the baby but the parents having a break?

What difference would it make to the baby to be sleeping in a moving pram outside as opposed to a stationary pram outside? There is no added benefit to the baby for the pram to be moving. Do you really begrudge a parent a chance to sit down and read or chat with a friend or watch a tv show?

Taking the baby for a walk takes time she might use to put on a load of laundry, iron or prepare dinner. Or just sit and do nothing. The mental load associated with caring for a baby can be really tiring. You need time to just space out.

I wasn't referring to the op, I meant in general. I very much doubt everyone is using special insect nets. My pram has one built in and tbh it's not difficult for a wasp to crawl under, we've all had one creep in through the tiniest window gap and get trapped in the net curtains back in the day.

I had other stuff to be getting on with whilst DC slept.

DD would sleep in the pram after our 2 mile round trip walk to drop DS at school. I wasn't going to wander aimlessly until she woke up when I could be at home having 5 childfree minutes to chill and catch up on whatever needed done.