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A viral TikTok video has sparked fierce debate about a parenting practice that might seem shocking to many Americans but has been standard in Scandinavian countries for generations.
Dammylene Natnat, a 31-year-old mother living in Sweden, took to TikTok on January 2 to share footage that has since captivated millions of viewers worldwide. The video shows her opening her door to reveal her two-year-old son Colin sleeping peacefully in a stroller—left outside in the snow.
“I left my toddler alone outside in snow for an hour,” Natnat wrote in the video’s text overlay.
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The clip ignited a firestorm in the comments. American viewers, in particular, expressed alarm.
“This is what we call a CPS case in America,” one commenter wrote.
“Idc bout it being anyone’s culture. I couldn’t do this,” another added.
“I know they have been doing this, but I would be so scared my baby would die, a critter would take my baby and that a stranger would kidnap my baby,” a third user commented.
A parenting norm rooted in Nordic tradition
What looks alarming through one cultural lens is entirely ordinary through another.
According to BBC, leaving babies to nap outdoors in cold weather is a common practice across Scandinavian countries—one that has persisted for generations despite (or perhaps because of) the region’s harsh winters.
Natnat addressed the cultural gap directly in her video’s caption:
“It is normal here in Sweden to leave your child outside to get some sleep. Scandinavians have been doing this method for generations and it is safe to do it here. Of course we make sure that my child has the right clothes, safe pram and a baby monitor. And we check on him from time to time.”
Some commenters familiar with Nordic culture pushed back against the criticism.
“It’s so funny to see these reactions as someone born in Northern Europe. This is a completely normal and a very common thing to do,” one user wrote.
“As someone in America, people really need to realize that different places have different cultures and traditions,” another commented.
The research behind outdoor napping during the winter
Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Parents who practice outdoor napping point to several perceived benefits.
Some report that their children sleep better and longer when napping in fresh air. Others believe the practice helps reduce the likelihood of children developing coughs or colds.
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Finnish researcher Marjo Tourula has studied the phenomenon and observed measurable differences in sleep duration.
“Babies clearly slept longer outdoors than indoors,” Tourula says, noting as much as a one-hour increase in nap time, per the BBC.
Tourula offers a possible explanation for the extended sleep: “Probably the restriction of movements by clothing could increase the length of sleep, and a cold environment makes swaddling possible without overheating.”
Medical professionals support the practice locally
In an interview with People published January 16, Natnat elaborated on why this method has such widespread acceptance in her adopted country.
“It’s actually not a tradition, but more of a method or a common practice here in Sweden,” she told People.
“It’s very common here and in other Nordic countries as well. Midwives, doctors and daycare centers recommend this practice. Even my toddler naps outside at daycare,” she added.
The endorsement from medical professionals and childcare institutions marks a significant departure from how such a practice would likely be received in other countries. In Sweden, outdoor napping isn’t a fringe parenting choice—it’s mainstream advice.
“It’s believed that fresh air helps children sleep better, longer, and more deeply,” Natnat added. “It also helps children adapt to the climate, since Sweden has a tough winter weather.”
Safety considerations and community trust
Natnat emphasized that parents who practice outdoor napping take precautions.
Proper cold-weather clothing, safe stroller design, and baby monitors are standard. Also, parents check on sleeping children regularly.
But the practice also relies on something less tangible: a social environment where parents feel comfortable leaving children unattended outdoors.
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“There is a high level of trust in the community,” Natnat told People. “We trust our neighbors, and many public spaces are designed with families in mind.”
She alluded to lower crime rates in Sweden as one factor enabling this trust—a context that differs substantially from many American communities where such a practice would raise immediate safety concerns.
