Would YOU leave your baby outside a cafe to sleep? Mum sparks internet debate with photo of a sleeping baby ‘left out in the cold’ in Iceland
A confused parent posted pictures of the Nordic tradition which sees babies sleeping in -5C temperatures
A MUM of two has triggered an online debate after being shocked to discover that babies are left to sleep outside in the freezing cold on a trip to Iceland.
Jessica Rowe, a self-proclaimed 'helicopter parent', has spent the past few days enjoying the beautiful scenery of the country with her mum.
But the Australian TV host also saw an unusual approach to parenting outside one of the local cafes and shared a snap of the event on Instagram.
As Jessica was walking through the streets of Reykjavik she spotted a pram positioned outside the coffee shop with a baby napping inside it.
Surprised by what she'd seen, she took a picture and uploaded to her social media site with the caption: "For a helicopter parent like me - this makes me break out into a sweat!
"But all over Reykjavik families leave their babies outside cafes, shops etc... I'm told 'fresh air is good for them.'"
And while this is a strange sight for many, leaving tots outside, where the temperature can often drop below -5 degrees Celsius, is actually a Nordic tradition.
Nordic parents believe that this age old practice of leaving their kids in the cold actually improves their health.
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In 2013, mum-of-three Lisa Mardon, of Stockholm, told the BBC: "I think it's good for them to be in the fresh air as soon as possible.
"Especially in the winter when there's lots of diseases going around... the kids seem healthier."
And contrary to popular belief, research has also supported this theory, with -5 degrees proving to be the optimum temperature for a snooze.
Some parents bring their kids in when the temperature drops to -10, other parents happily leave their babies outside even when it's -30.
But many of Jessica's followers weren't convinced by the curious custom, with one user commenting: "Scary anyone could just take off with Bub and pram.
While another worried parent wrote: "Ahh no way. The nightmare of my early years as a new mum."
Many defended the tactic and supported claims that the clean air is much better for their babies, with someone saying: "if it works why not! Good for them... Babies sleep better in the fresh air."
And another mum explained: "Yep. I gave birth to my first boy in Copenhagen and did this daily. Seems crazy, but it is the norm."