Sweden: Co-Sleeping and Long Parental Leave
In Sweden, breastfeeding is heavily emphasized, co-sleeping is common, and sleep training is widely considered unacceptable—even viewed by some as child abuse. Corporal punishment like spanking is forbidden by law and socially taboo. Parental leave can extend up to two years with near-full pay, according to a Swedish Reddit user.
Japan: Extended Hospital Stays and No Sleep Training
Japanese mothers typically remain in the hospital or birthing clinic for about five days after delivery, with clinics offering hotel-like amenities to attract the declining number of women having babies. Sleep training is virtually unheard of; leaving a baby to cry intentionally is considered unthinkable, and neighbors might call the police if they hear prolonged crying, shared a Reddit user in Japan.
Norway: Outdoor Napping and Gradual Independence
Norwegian parents often place babies outside to nap in strollers, even in cold weather, to help them settle. One American mother in Norway described how her husband put their overtired newborn on the porch, where the baby fell asleep within seconds. Norwegian parenting aims to raise functioning adults by gradually increasing responsibility: children walk to school alone around age 6–8, have chores, learn cooking and cleaning, and manage their own homework by age 10.
El Salvador: Early Ear Piercing
In El Salvador, baby girls typically have their ears pierced before leaving the hospital, and parents must provide the earrings, according to a Reddit user.
Canada: Extended Leave and Sleep Training
Canadian mothers commonly take 12–18 months of parental leave, and sleep training remains popular, noted a Canadian Reddit user.
Poland: Overdressing Babies
In Poland, a persistent trend is overdressing babies regardless of weather. Parents often dress infants in long sleeves and hats even on hot days, believing wind exposure causes illness, according to a Reddit user.
France: Avoiding Wet Wipes and Feeding Adults' Food
French parents avoid wet wipes when possible, using olive oil-based cream and soap-and-water cleaning instead. Children eat the same meals as adults, including vegetables, snails, and unpasteurized cheese. French parenting treats children as little humans, teaching them to sit still at restaurants and interact publicly without screens or constant snacks, as described by a Reddit user who has lived in both France and the US.
New Zealand and Turkey: Hygiene and Indoor Focus
A Turkish mother living in New Zealand reported that in Turkey, extreme hygiene is emphasized: no pets near babies, constant sterilization, and minimal outdoor contact because nature is considered dirty. There is pressure to constantly occupy children with structured activities, with less emphasis on independent play.
Japan: Hot Baths and Sushi During Pregnancy
In Japan, hot baths and sushi are considered safe and even encouraged during pregnancy, but open shoes are prohibited to keep the baby warm, noted a Reddit user.
Czechia: Evolving Father Involvement
In Czechia, it was historically common for fathers to have little association with children, though this has improved in the last 20 years. Some young parents still see mothers as the sole caretaker and communicator with the child, according to a Reddit user.
India: Homemade Baby Food
An Indian mother married to an American described making baby food from scratch—boiling and pureeing fruits and vegetables—and avoiding certain foods believed to cause congestion or digestive issues before a certain age.
Finland: Minimal Wet Wipes
In Finland, wet wipes are avoided unless absolutely necessary because they contain lipids that may penetrate skin and cause allergies, a Reddit user explained.
Italy and Albania: No Separate Kids' Menu
In Italy and Albania, children eat the same meals as adults; restaurants rarely offer separate kids' menus, and chicken nuggets are not found at seafood establishments, according to a Reddit user.
Netherlands: Permissive Pregnancy Diet
Dutch guidelines allow pregnant women to eat lunch meat and cheese as long as they are not raw meat or raw milk products. Liver-based meats are limited due to high vitamin A content, shared a Reddit user.
Ireland: Safe Sleep Guidance and Teen Independence
Irish health authorities advise against co-sleeping but recommend cellular blankets over sleep sacks with arms due to overheating risks. Sleep training is treated neutrally. By age 15, Irish parents often treat children as equals, including them in adult conversations, allowing drinking, and openly discussing sex and contraception, according to Reddit users.
Iceland: Free-Range Childhood
An American living in Iceland noted that children walk or bike to school in the dark for half the year, schools are relaxed (shoes off, learning on couches, teaching sewing and cooking), and group activities are municipality-run. Kids ride bikes around town and take buses unsupervised; parents often don't know their children's whereabouts, reflecting a freedom reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s in the US.
Switzerland: Non-Helicopter Parenting
Swiss parents do not hover over their children; kids walk to school alone in elementary school and use public transportation independently. Parents are unbothered when children disappear for half the day, a Reddit user reported.
US: Over-the-Top Parenting
An American Reddit user described US parenting as over-the-top and competitive, with helicopter parenting, short parental leave (16 weeks considered good), and strong opinions on every parenting strategy. They advised doing what feels right for one's family, as it is not others' business.
