A viral video of babies in Norway being left alone outside in freezing cold weather has shocked TikTok users from elsewhere in the world, who think the idea is ‘crazy’.
The video was posted by Aussie TikToker Olly Bowman (@mrmelk_), who shared footage of the prams outside.
“Another day in Norway, another group of babies left out alone in the cold,” he said.
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“Look how many there are.”
Bowman added: “It helps with their breathing and makes them more independent.
“It’s actually why so many people leave home earlier in Norway than other countries.”
Naturally, many social media users were baffled by the concept, with one commenting: “Are babies not kidnapped in Norway? My anxiety would never.”
Someone else said: “No. Freaking. Way.”
A third wrote: “I’m sorry WHAT.”
Another added: “To live in a society where it was safe enough to leave the babies like this would be crazy.”
A 2008 Finnish study, published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, found that children 'took longer naps outdoors' compared to indoors.
"Parents' experiences were mainly positive and most parents had not faced potentially dangerous situations," the authors wrote, adding that there was a risk of hypothermia in especially cold weather, meaning it's important to ensure children are appropriately clothed.
After the video went viral, Bowman took to the streets to ask parents in Oslo why they thought it was such a common habit.
One person said it definitely happens, but that it ‘depends on where you are’, adding: “In Oslo, yeah.”
Another said they knew people who did it, but chose not to themselves – though not for the reason you might think.
“I know a lot of prams have been stolen as well - but people don’t steal the prams when there are babies inside of them,” they replied.
A third explained: “I could leave her outside for a second or two at a café if I'm going inside for a coffee, but I always want to supervise her. I want to see her and make sure she’s not crying.”
They added that their child was a newborn, so they would maybe consider ‘leaving her for a bit longer’ when she’s slightly older.
Another said they had ‘many friends’ who leave their babies outside when they go into a café, saying it was ‘very common’.
“There’s a saying, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’, so they just wrap the baby,” they said.
Commenting on the second video, many others also came forward to say that the practice was ‘totally normal’ in a number of Scandinavian countries, with one writing: “I live in Norway and have a Norwegian fiancé... it’s totally normal where we are.”
Someone else said: “From Denmark, Copenhagen here, and to be honest I see a baby sleeping outside everyday and have NEVER heard of a child being kidnapped.”
Topics: World News, TikTok, Viral
Jess Hardiman