“There is no bad weather, only bad clothes”.
This typical Swedish saying perfectly illustrates this practice rooted in Nordic societies, which consists of having babies sleep outside.
Yes, outside.
In Stockholm.
Winter.
This January 17, it is 0°C, felt -3°C.
It's fine, knowing that in the capital, temperatures can sometimes reach -20°C.
It snows often or else it rains and it's windy.
But whatever.
Babies take a nap in the open air.
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At the Polaris crèche, in the municipality of Järfälla, north of Stockholm, the little ones know the ritual by heart.
After lunch, they wrap themselves in fleeces, gloves, hats and other warm clothes before going out on the terrace and slipping into a thick sleeping bag.
And if necessary, we add a plaid.
Let's go for a long nap.
Indeed, when they leave to join the arms of Morpheus on the esplanade to sleep, in the (very) fresh air, “they sleep more soundly and longer”.
This is explained by Ahlam and Felicia, childcare workers at Polaris Förskola: “It strengthens their immune system, they are less sick, it is a more restful sleep, they sleep better and feel better.
As a result, they have more energy during the day and they are much more focused”.
At home too, many parents let their children sleep outside or on the balcony.
This is particularly the case of Lorraine, a Franco-Swedish mother: “When Fred was a baby, he slept outside in his stroller”.
In Sweden, you can also see these strollers parked in front of a cafe on the sidewalk while the parents have “the fika” (the Swedish snack) warm inside.
They, of course, always have an eye on their baby.
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In 1940, this “Nordic siesta” was recommended in Sweden and Finland to combat the high infant mortality rate and poor indoor air quality.
If this old tradition can surprise and seduce the followers of skepticism, Fred 2 years, assures it: "I sleep better outside".
None of his little comrades grumbled at bedtime, quite the contrary.
The silence fell very quickly.
In Sweden, many believe that napping outside is a way of arming children against the harshness of winter and, symbolically, against the harshness of life.