In the Nordic countries, it is quite common to let newborns take their naps outdoors, even if it is very cold. This would be a sign of good parenting and a certain quality of life. This long misunderstood practice has received the support of a scientific study that praises its merits and health benefits.
In New York in 1997, Annette Sorensen had a few run-ins with the law. This mother of Danish origin had indeed found herself at the police station overnight. His mistake? Having left your newborn in front of a restaurant while an almost polar cold reigned outside. At the sight of the infant in his pram, neighbors quickly called the police.
Charged with attempted infanticide, Annette Sorensen nevertheless claimed that the child was simply taking a nap under his watch from the restaurant window. According to legend, the Danish ambassador himself then came to his aid, saving the mother from harsh incarceration. The diplomat was obliged to certify on his honor that Annette Sorensen was not suffering from madness.
In 2012, she also published the book A worm in the apple , telling this incredible story. She wanted to somehow set the record straight and tell her version of the facts . It must be said that at the time, justice was not the only one to have manhandled the young woman since the press and many inhabitants had also castigated her.
It turns out that in reality, the practice of letting your child take a nap outside in very cold weather is culturally very present in Scandinavia, but also in the Baltic countries, as well as in Russia.
While it would never occur to French parents to let their child sleep in the cold, the Nordics believe that it is a question of 'a proof of good parenting . It is also a question of a certain quality of life, especially in Scandinavia where the cities remain on a human scale and are much quieter than some large capitals. However, you should know that this practice is far from being taken lightly. In effect, the child is "wrapped" in several layers of clothing, hats, mittens and very thick blankets.
In 2011, researcher Marjo Tourula from the University of Oulu (Finland) published a study on the subject. It was the first of its kind. This work has made it possible to understand that the practice improves the immune defenses of the child , but also the quality of his sleep. In addition, the results of the study concluded that the ideal temperature for a short nap outdoors was -5°C.
