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22-Year-Old Australian Documents Baby Strollers in the Cold, Garnering Millions of Views and Highlighting Cultural Differences, Safety Data, and Medical Controversies About Infant Sleep in Nordic Countries
Recently, an Australian resident in Norway reached over 14 million views by posting a video showing about a dozen babies sleeping in strollers outside, reigniting the debate over safety, culture, and child health in Nordic countries.
Olly Bowman, 22, originally from Sydney, shared the video on TikTok two years ago, capturing babies sleeping alone in strollers outdoors in freezing temperatures, a cultural practice that generated thousands of comments and international comparisons.
In the video, Bowman states: “Another day in Norway, another group of babies left alone in the cold,” as he shows several strollers lined up, highlighting the number of children sleeping simultaneously outside.
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In an ironic tone, he comments that the practice aids in breathing and would make babies more independent, which expanded the content’s reach and provoked diverse reactions among viewers from different countries.
The post exceeded 16,000 comments, many from Americans who expressed disbelief at the scene and voiced concerns about safety, kidnapping, and child supervision in urban settings.
“This is unbelievable to me. I dream of knowing my children are always safe,” wrote a woman, reflecting the common perception of risk among viewers from the United States.
Another comment expressed envy for those living without a constant fear of kidnapping, reinforcing cultural differences about social trust, collective vigilance, and everyday practices involving small children.
Cultural Practice in Nordic Countries
Although the video shocked some viewers, many users stated that they were already familiar with the practice, common in Nordic countries such as Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, according to reports published by Insider.
According to Insider, parents in these countries often put babies to sleep outdoors, believing that fresh air contributes to deeper sleep.
The practice has documented historical roots dating back to 1926, when Icelandic doctor David Thorsteinsson published a book advocating for outdoor sleep, even in the cold, as a way to strengthen infants’ immune systems.
Users commented that doctors and midwives recommend the habit, stating that cold air provides more peaceful sleep, as long as the babies are well bundled up in their strollers.
Other accounts suggest that the practice is common in daycares in Sweden, being associated with adapting to the cold and strengthening children’s immune systems.
A mother claimed that after being convinced by a Norwegian neighbor, she noticed her younger child gets sick less frequently than her older child, who did not sleep outdoors.
Local Reactions and Perception of Safety
Following the repercussions, Bowman recorded a second video in Bislett, Oslo, asking residents about concerns regarding leaving babies alone in strollers after criticisms about child safety.
He inquired whether the rumor that Scandinavian parents feel comfortable with this practice was true, hearing differing opinions between urban and rural residents.
One resident claimed to know the habit, but stated she did not adopt the practice in the city center, mentioning instances of stolen strollers, although babies are not taken.
Another resident reported feeling safe to leave the baby sleeping outdoors in the countryside, indicating a difference in perception based on environment and urban density.
A woman said she could leave the baby outside a café for a few seconds, but preferred to supervise constantly, especially since it was a newborn.
She added that she might reconsider the practice when the child was older, demonstrating gradual caution regarding the age and autonomy of the baby.
Comparative Data and International Debate
According to CrimeGrade.org, the kidnapping rate in Norway is 0.02 per 1,000 inhabitants in a standard year, a statistic often cited to justify the sense of safety.
In comparison, in the United States, a child goes missing or is abducted every 40 seconds, a statistic frequently mentioned by commentators critical of the practice observed in the video.
Many Americans stated they would never feel safe leaving babies alone outside, even for short periods, highlighting structural differences in safety.
One comment summarized the cultural contrast by stating that while babies sleep outside in Europe, American families fear sending children to school.
In January 2020, Danish musician Amalie Bruun went viral by posting a photo exploring the garden with her four-month-old son Otto, stating that he sleeps outdoors.
According to Bruun, although Otto was awake in the image, the habit of sleeping outside was common, reinforcing the normalization of this practice in Scandinavian contexts.
A woman from Germany commented that the custom is common among her friends, citing the saying “there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing,” emphasizing the importance of being bundled up.
A Finnish study from 2008 indicated that children took longer naps outdoors than indoors, a statistic frequently cited in defenses of the habit.
Experts, however, warn of the risk of hypothermia in cold climates, highlighting the need for adequate protection, as babies’ body temperature drops four times faster.
With information from New York Post.
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