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Original poster

Sleeping babies outside in buggies

71 replies

popsycal · 13/10/2004 12:19

A serious query
PLEASE don't lets get into a debate.....

What are your views on leaving babies outside in this weather (10 degrees but dry and sunny) outside in their buggy, sleeping for over an hour with your front door closed though you can see buggy from your living room window?

I know it was common place when I was a baby (and I am fine....).

THe reason I ask is my neighbour is a child minder and the child she looks after is the son of one of my best friends. Baby is 6 months old, wearing a hat and coat and has cosy toes on. Been there over an hour. Front door closed.

What do you think? Am I being over protective?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE lets keep this nice

OP posts:
Original poster
popsycal · 13/10/2004 12:24

anyone?

OP posts:
vict17 · 13/10/2004 12:27

Over an hour sounds like a long time. I usually carry ds + buggy into the kitchen but nine times out of ten he's awake as soon as I put buggy down so I get back ache for nothing! 9and mud in the kitchen!)

GeorginaA · 13/10/2004 12:28

I would feel uncomfortable about it, but I notice one of my neighbours does the same (well, her mother does when she is doing the childminding). I just go on the assumption that they're sitting near the window and can see, but also keep an eye open as well just in case. I'm afraid I don't relax well until I know they're safely back inside even though it's not my child and not my responsibility!!

nailpolish · 13/10/2004 12:28

dont like the sound of the door being closed. if i went for a walk and baby was asleep when got back and couldnt get pram in house without baby waking up then might leave baby outside til he wakes up, only in back garden with door open for an hour at the most with loads of blankets

zebra · 13/10/2004 12:28

I've done the same sort of thing with my babies... with cosy toes on, definitely seems ok, to me. I am a Mega-fan of fresh air, though.

codswallop · 13/10/2004 12:28

fine imo

GeorginaA · 13/10/2004 12:29

(then again, my child never sleeps in his pushchair - so if he did I'd probably be pathetically grateful and be tempted too... although I would probably wheel him into the back garden just to be on the safe side)

Northerner · 13/10/2004 12:29

Personally I wouldn't do it. I would be LIVID if I knew my childminder did it.

I would tell your friend.

nailpolish · 13/10/2004 12:30

big fan of fresh air too, zebra.

artyjoe · 13/10/2004 12:30

My main question would be is the childminder looking after any other children while the baby is outside and can you see her looking out of her window continuously?

I live in a wonderful area which is a tiny cul de sac but I still wouldn't be able to put a pram outside my front door unless I was sat inside watching constantly...if that were the case surely I'd be better off pushing the buggie around the block?

I think it is a great idea to have babies out in the fresh air, but my concern with this situation is the security element of it...i.e. outside front of house rather than enclosed garden...are there any other distractions for the childminder such as other children to care for...I'm also wondering whether an hour is a bit too long in this weather.

Trying to be constructive here rather than damning!

mothernature · 13/10/2004 12:31

No problems here either, as long as she can see it and its wrapped up -

Momof2 · 13/10/2004 12:31

Think I would be more worried about the front door being closed than the temp. Especailly as it is the front door. I think I would have heaved the pram or whatever into the happ and left it there with the sleeping baby inside it. In part of the childminder training I had it was drummed into us that you should never leave the children unattended - even to visit the bathroom.

charliecatthenonsmoker · 13/10/2004 12:31

I wouldnt. I would wheel them inside and yank the window open taking off cosytoes and hat. Do you think you friend would do it?

MummyToSteven · 13/10/2004 12:32

i think - fine if back garden/not raining and baby warm enough for an hour or so. not 100% comfortable with outside the front door for security angle

codswallop · 13/10/2004 12:32

its 12 degrees here.
id slep outsifde int hose conditions.

Mum2girls · 13/10/2004 12:34

I'm a fresh air fan too. The bit I have a problem with is the door being closed...would she know if the baby woke up?

GeorginaA · 13/10/2004 12:34

Didn't realise it was the childminder not the parent. Yes I would be worried - just from the security aspect, not the cold at all.

Original poster
popsycal · 13/10/2004 12:34

You see - I am sort of in the middle with this. Yes, I think babies need fresh air. But my worries are:

  1. childminder has a 14 month old to look after too
  2. front door is closed and although visible from living room, you would have to be at the window to see the buggy
  3. although it is a cul de sac, it is a popular route to and from a small supermarket
  4. it is COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLD
  5. I wouldnt want my ds left for this length of time outside - specifically asked my childminder at our initial meeting if she did this - she has a double front door for the purpose of getting a double buggy in and out with sleeping babies in it
  6. I would want someone to tell me if they were at all unsure whether i would mind.

think i have answered my own question

OP posts:
jabberwocky · 13/10/2004 12:35

I agree with the security issue. You just can't be too careful these days. I would be furious if a childminder did that. You should definitely tell her.

Original poster
popsycal · 13/10/2004 12:36

i am with charlie cat
their front door is the same as mine and i can wheel our larger buggy in and out really easily (baby is asleep in a single buggy)

OP posts:
poppyseed · 13/10/2004 12:36

I personally wouldn't do it. It would be better if it was the back door and there was a gate to seal off the garden in case somebody walked off with them. Temperature wouldn't be an issue for me really - he's obviously OK as he's asleep....

Northerner · 13/10/2004 12:37

I wouldn't expect ds's nursery to leave sleeping babies outside unattended so why should a childminder?

Original poster
popsycal · 13/10/2004 12:37

there is no access to their back garden apart from through the house

OP posts:
Chandra · 13/10/2004 12:39

No, I wouldn't let the baby outside just to prevent him fro waking or to keep the house clean... Maybe a light comment about it to your friend could do? TBH if a childminder of my DS did this I would change childminders but that's just me because, I wouldn't leave my child outside, but ,if I used to do then I wouldn't mind... it depends in what is OK for your friend I guess.

codswallop · 13/10/2004 12:39

this reminds me of my cleaner thread! everyone sadid npo to me ont hat