Nordic napping

[suedehead]

So, I spotted this one this morning:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21537988

Whilst at first you may think 'blimey', I can actually see the logic! Anyone tried this? Do you reckon it leads to healthier children?

Are we all just paranoid about someone nicking our babies...!?

[Notnowcato]

Yep, that was what happened to me and my sister in the 1960s in Yorkshire. Good long naps outside everyday, and we were both born in November. My sister was born in 1962, and we all know what sort of a winter that was!!

Don't think we benefitted from those lovely, high-tech materials to keep us warm either. We had wool blankets, knitted cardis and a silver cross pram.

Not sure whether we were healthier or not: I suffered from dreadful tonsillitis and chilblains all through my childhood!! But I suppose we do both like to be outdoors even in the winter.

My sister now lives in Sweden and we have visited her in December, Jan, Feb, March, April ? winter does last a long time! I think if you live there, you have to be used to be outside when it's cold. Three and four year old children gather at their nurseries when it is still dark in the morning and play in a sub-zero, floodlit playground until it's time to go inside. It's just how life is lived in the winter.

[Martha75]

My three all slept outside in their nice warm pram winter and summer - however I never put them out in fog or rain which we seem to get a lot of just lately. We were given a M&P pram for our granddaughters to use when they come, but it has nowhere to attach a harness, I wouldn't leave a baby without strapping it in.

[MELanglands]

I used to put my baby outside in her carry cot on our flat balcony. We lived in Germany and in winter the temperatures were sometimes around freezing. I think it made her more resistant to germs.

[MyNameIsAnAnagram]

Mine slept much better outside so I used to walk him round the block he was asleep then park him at the patio doors, I thought that was just normal? Will do the same with no 2 as well.

[LiseO]

Does anyone know if nordic napping is illegal in the UK?

[Squtternutbaush]

LiseO why would it be illegal to leave your child to nap in a pushchair in the garden?

Of course its fine, personally I wouldn't be happy to do it away from home and wouldn't be particularly thrilled to see a parent leave their baby outside a coffee shop but I can't see why it would be illegal unless the child was left for extended periods and/or was dressed inappropriately in which case it would possibly become a child safety issue

[MerryMo]

Erm no I very much doubt it is illegal. What aspect makes you think it would be?

When we lived in North Scotland I was advised to put both my babies outside for a nap by both the health visitor and our GP.

Summer and winter I would put them out for a nap in out back garden (in view of the patio doors). Even in the snow - they went out for a nap, wrapped up warm. I would never just leave them to it. Always kept aclose eye and not leave them out for ages in the very cold. Fresh air has to better than the dry stale air in most centrally heated houses. Both mine have grown up into happy and healthy teenagers, with no frost bite or ill effects!

[EmGee]

I think we are all too moddy-coddled nowadays so the fear of being too cold/foxes/cats/kidnappers freaks a lot of people out when this topic comes up. Like many on here, I had my first child in the harsh winter of 2009/10 and I remember thinking I couldn't possibly take DD out as it was just far too cold. I blame the hormones!

Agree that clothing is a key issue and you can't beat outdoor clothing like Polarn O Pyret for keeping kids warm and toasty outside.

Off topic (but still linked) I would be interested to know how many people give their houses/flats a thorough airing every morning when the weather's cold......or if the windows stay firmly closed all day/night!?!

[DearGirl]

If the little one I nanny for has fallen asleep in the pram I often leave them outside. I park them by the window and then sit I side by the windows with a cup of tea. I always make sure they're wrapped up warm enough.

[Squtternutbaush]

EmGee I open the windows every morning even if its just for 30 minutes although we're out for an hour or so for the school run so more on school days, central heating plays havoc with my sinuses and the house seems stale otherwise.