Children sleeping outside during the winter are a common practice among families living in Northern countries.
While, there are not many proven studies on the benefits and risks of this practice, parents who keep their babies exposed to the open air have noticed positive results from this tradition.
Winter naps in nature are a cultural tradition for many people.
If you find yourself somewhere in Finland, Iceland, or other Scandinavian countries, you may encounter a baby sleeping in their stroller outside.
While watching a baby exposed to cold air may seem alarming, parents claim that there are many benefits to this practice.
1. The baby stays warm.
Parents note that although the outside temperature may be cold, they make it a priority to ensure that the baby is kept warm.
This can be done by keeping the baby together and layered in warm clothes, such as wool.
2. Immunity is strengthened
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Based on observations, parents and schools in the Nordic countries claim that when toddlers sleep outside, they are less likely to catch winter illnesses and spend their school days.
Compared to sleeping indoors, it has been observed that napping in nature encourages better sleep, stronger immune systems and calmer babies.
Parents also noticed that their babies napping in nature were more active and had better appetite.
3. They sleep longer.
According to research conducted in Finland, parents found that their children took a longer nap outside compared to napping inside.
Outdoor naps lasted for almost 3 hours, while indoor naps were only 1-2 hours long.
4. Schools support this practice.
In countries like Sweden and Denmark, schools encourage children to spend time outdoors playing, eating and sleeping.
Studies show that children who sleep outside are less likely to get sick and skip school as bacteria and viruses are more likely to spread indoors.
There is a saying that says, 'A little fresh air never hurts anyone,' and the Swedes say, 'No bad weather, just bad clothes.'
