Babies Sleeping Outside

Babies sleeping outside, unattended, is one Danish tradition that I am still slightly uncomfortable with. I am beginning to understand the thought behind it, and how it could actually be beneficial for a child, but getting used to the concept remains a work in progress. I mean, where I come from, such a thing is considered neglectful and illegal. Not that I am saying it should be, but that is just what we are trained to believe. If we noticed a baby sleeping in it's carriage outside, while the parents were inside occupying themselves with other things, we would feel like it was our humane duty to save said baby, possibly resorting to calling social services.

I witnessed my first baby sleeping outside this past weekend. We went to visit some friends, who welcomed their first born in December. He was all bundled up in his net covered carriage, accompanied by the baby monitor on high alert, sleeping like, well...a baby.

It was a gorgeous spring day. The kind of day where anyone in their right mind would want to sleep outside. A crisp, fresh breeze was blowing, the sky bright blue, dotted with marshmallow clouds, birds singing merrily in the trees, rays of sunshine basking everything in the warmth of its golden glow. Honestly, I was feeling rather jealous of the little guy. I was a bit under the weather that day, a result of a late Saturday night, and my body would have loved to curl up in a cozy carriage parked outside, letting the breeze lure me into dreamland.

So, I knew he was comfortable and content, and of course, I know that his parents are neither neglectful, nor breakers of the law. As we carried on with our Sunday afternoon visit, inside, I only thought about him being outside approximately four times. Mostly just to remind myself that he would be okay, that it was perfectly acceptable to sleep outside in Denmark, and that a dose of fresh air would be incredible for his little lungs and overall health.

The more I think it over, the more this is becoming a tradition that could grow on me. In fact, shouldn't we all start taking naps outside? It seems really good for the soul. I enjoy sleeping with my windows open, year round for that matter, in order to reap the benefits of a fresh breeze, so why shouldn't a baby be offered the same luxury?

What do you guys think? Have you ever let your baby sleep outside unattended? What would you do if you walked down the street and saw carriages of sleeping babies outside, while the parents were lunching in a cafe? I have not witnessed this yet, but it is common and purely acceptable here.

This is not actually my friends baby. Photograph by Morten Kjerulff, http://www.123rf.com/photo_4823843_baby-sleeping-outside-in-a-pram-covered-in-a-mosquito-net-and-with-a-baby-alarm-by-the-side.html

For more info on unusual Danish baby traditions, read my post, Oh Baby.