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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Pram outside in all weathers

16 replies

mylittleyumyum · 10/01/2026 00:27

My neighbours had a new baby in the summer. From day one the pram has been left outside overnight (not just the wheels, the full thing)
Their baby was taken into hospital with breathing difficulties in October and was in for 6 weeks. Bronchitis. Again, freezing cold and damp - pram, blankies etc sitting outside.
Baby readmitted today.
Am I totally off the mark to think that their pram storage is contributing to the babies health condition in any way?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 10/01/2026 00:28

So are they putting the baby in a wet pram?

Simonjt · 10/01/2026 00:30

Yes you are, from someone where virtually all prams are kept outside year round and with the babies inside them if its nap time.

Friendlygingercat · 10/01/2026 00:32

Prams with babies in them were routineely left outside in the 50s and 60s.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 10/01/2026 00:35

Friendlygingercat · 10/01/2026 00:32

Prams with babies in them were routineely left outside in the 50s and 60s.

Not overnight with the bedding still in them.

Jambags · 10/01/2026 03:29

If they are putting their baby in a cold wet pram stored outside I'd be concerned about what they are doing inside as well...

ShetlandishMum · 10/01/2026 03:52

None of your business tbh.

Zanatdy · 10/01/2026 04:56

assume it has a cover on it? Maybe they have an insert that they put baby into so not directly into a cold pram. Either way, it’s none of your business.

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 10/01/2026 06:39

People saying that it is none of your business @mylittleyumyum
are, in my opinion, part of the problem that so many countries, including ours, have these days. I very strongly believe that where babies and young children are concerned, every single one of us should ourselves be concerned to keep alert to the welfare of any children that we ourselves are aware of in our daily lives.

By that, I don't mean be a curtain twitcher, or embroil yourself in other peoples lives, but just be aware of things like the OP is asking about here, or if you hear lots of shouting, and maybe a child crying and/or screaming in a way that makes your stomach and heart feel very heavy, and/or tight, and/or nauseous, or even makes you feel scared for anyone vulnerable in that house.

If they are putting their baby into cold damp bedding, then yes, OP that could easily be the reason for the baby being so unwell. Have you ever been inside their house OP, or at least since the baby was born? If they are suffering from damp problems inside their house that could easily lead to breathing difficulties in the child as well. Do you happen to know if anyone in their household smokes indoors OP, as that, of course, could also lead to breathing problems?

Have you got any idea about what the parents are like, and whether they can afford to have their heating on during this awful weather? Do you think that at least one of the parents is intelligent enough, or has enough common sense, to know the main basic aspects of bringing a child up, to know whether they probably already know how to bring up their baby as safely as possible. Sadly, of course, any of us can, and many of us probably have, made stupid, or even bad mistakes, as we are all - at the moment - still humans...

You might not know any of the answers to the questions I have asked you about, especially if they keep themselves to themselves, which is of course their right. I am a very private person myself, so I understand about not being happy with other peoples interference in my business. However, if I had ever done anything potentially harmful to my children, I might have been very embarrassed, and maybe even cross initially, but in the end I would have been very grateful that I had been advised by someone - preferably someone professional - about the potentially harmful behaviour etc. You do seem to have some genuinely serious concerns OP, and if they are not the sort of people who you believe would welcome an 'almost stranger's' advice, then I think you should contact someone in authority, with the hope of them being able to carefully give some very useful guidance to the parents about essential practices with babies and young children; but obviously, not with the aim of getting them into trouble.

Of course, I would have hated someone I hardly knew, offering me advice when my children were younger, but I was very lucky to have a brilliant Mum, and I could have also asked my family doctor for advice (in those days). I also read various books about child rearing during my pregnancy, and while my first born was still young. In the early years of my first baby's childhood, I read a book about the first year of a baby's life, by a lady called Penelope (damn, I have literally just forgotten her surname, but it might have been 'Leach'?), and I agreed, almost instinctively, with almost everythin̈g she said, some of the other authors, not so much.

Unfortunately @mylittleyumyum I know next to nothing about what professional advice is available to new parents these days, but this site must be full of those who do, who can advise you about which is the best service to contact for advice, and to hopefully do maybe a 'routine check' on the family's welfare. Good luck OP, and Thank You on behalf of all of us who do still believe in "The Village". 🌻

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 10/01/2026 06:58

Friendlygingercat · 10/01/2026 00:32

Prams with babies in them were routineely left outside in the 50s and 60s.

I was a late 50's baby, so I am aware that that practice happened in many places. However, my first response has to be to you, that: just because it was a common thing to do in certain areas of the Country at that time, it doesn't mean that it was eiher a healthy, or a safe, practice to do so. The sensible Mums who did think it was a good idea, would have also had a tested cat net, and insect net, on the pram itself. I never knew anyone personally who left their baby alone in the garden, but I wouldn't be surprised if the last Duke of Edinburgh instructed Charle's Nanny to do so!

ShesTheAlbatross · 10/01/2026 07:02

I assume it’s covered and that they aren’t putting their baby into a soaking pram if it rains?

My friend left her pram outside because she had twins and there wasn’t really anywhere in the house for a double pram to be stored. Her babies were fine.

BadgernTheGarden · 10/01/2026 07:09

Did they even use the pram when the baby was tiny? Mine were pretty much carried everywhere when not in the car until much bigger.

Allswellthatendswelll · 10/01/2026 07:13

DD often has a pram nap in the garden after the school run. If it's cold then she's very well wrapped up like they do in Scandinavia. However I probably wouldn't leave her or the pram in the damp for long periods of time. Not without a good cover on.

mylittleyumyum · 11/01/2026 10:19

The pram has no cover. The house is clean, and the baby is doted on
He's their 1st kid, they are young but seem to have a decent support system.
Neither are smokers. They just seem a little naive.
I left my own two out napping in the garden or drive back in the day - but never allowed the pram to get damp. They bring the child into the house but the pram is left. Both sections.
They only moved in recently and take nothing to do with anyone else.
They are very much an into and out of the car/house family - don't want to stop and chat. My husband sees the dad occasionally as their work crosses paths.

OP posts:
Mulledjuice · 11/01/2026 10:23

There was a thread recently where lots of posters said they rarely take their prams into the house - they leave them in the boot of the car.

We don't have a car nor do most people where we live so it didnt occur to me at first but this might be a better option for them?

If they keep themselves to themselves how do you know so much about the baby's health? If they are telling you about it why don't you ask "is there any possibilty that the pram and blankets are getting damp overnight?"

Schoolchoicesucks · 11/01/2026 10:30

If the baby is being put into a wet pram with wet blankets then yes that is not going to help their recovery. If the pram is just cold and protected from the rain and the baby is dressed in appropriate warm clothes and blankets before being put in the pram, they will be fine.
How sure are you that the pram and blankets are getting wet?

somanychristmaslights · 11/01/2026 10:40

Surely they’re not so stupid that they’d leave a pram out in the pouring rain, and then put a baby straight in it??

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