Parenting has come a long way—but every now and then, we stumble across an old tradition that leaves us wide-eyed. Recently, while reading through some historical parenting tips, I came across a jaw-dropping fact: it used to be common for parents to put whiskey in baby bottles. Yep, you read that right. And honestly? I had no clue.
This discovery sent me down a rabbit hole of historical research, cultural context, and evolving medical advice. It turns out, whiskey wasn’t just for winding down after a long day—it was once a go-to solution for soothing infants. Let’s unpack how this came to be, why it stuck around, and what it teaches us about how far parenting has evolved.
The Cultural Roots of Using Whiskey for Childcare
When Alcohol Was the Medicine Cabinet
Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, whiskey was more than just a social drink—it was a cure-all. If someone had a cough, a cold, or a toothache, a splash of whiskey was the answer. So, it’s not shocking (though still hard to imagine) that parents thought it could help their babies too.
Without access to modern medicine, people leaned into what was familiar and widely available. Whiskey was seen as both calming and medicinal—something that could relax a fussy infant or numb teething pain. In many rural communities, especially those far from doctors, it was one of the few options parents had to ease their child’s suffering.
Video: Giving Whiskey to babies as medicine ???
Why Parents Believed Whiskey Helped
The Perceived Benefits of a Little Liquor
For exhausted parents dealing with colic, teething, or inconsolable crying, whiskey seemed like a miracle. They believed it:
- Calmed babies quickly
- Helped them sleep longer
- Numbed teething pain
- Eased digestive issues
It wasn’t about neglect—it was about survival. Most of these decisions came from love and a desire to comfort, not recklessness. Parents were doing what they thought was best, based on the tools and advice they had at the time.
What the Medical World Said (Back Then)
Advice That Would Make Today’s Doctors Gasp
During the heyday of whiskey-in-the-bottle parenting, medical advice was… well, let’s just say it was flexible. Pediatric science was still in its infancy, and many doctors relied on folk remedies or personal experience. A few even recommended whiskey in small doses for children—especially during teething or fevers.
Scientific understanding of child development, liver function, and long-term effects simply didn’t exist in the way it does today. With little research and limited access to formal training, medical professionals and parents alike often leaned on tradition rather than evidence.
Teething, Whiskey, and Generational Wisdom
An Oral Tradition with Painful Side Effects
Ask someone from your grandparents’ generation, and you might hear stories like, “Grandma used to rub whiskey on our gums, and we turned out fine!” And sure, some kids may have made it through unscathed—but many didn’t.
The practice of rubbing whiskey directly on a baby’s gums during teething was widespread. It became so common that it was passed down like a family recipe. But we now know that even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful to an infant’s developing body, particularly their liver and nervous system.
How Society Shaped This Norm
When Drinking Was Just a Part of Life
Let’s not forget—society’s relationship with alcohol was different. People drank casually and often. There were few laws or cultural barriers around alcohol use, and it wasn’t unusual to see children given sips at social events or family gatherings.
So, using alcohol in childcare didn’t raise the eyebrows it would today. In fact, it was seen as practical. Parents weren’t being negligent—they were just doing what everyone else around them was doing.
The Turning Point: Science Catches Up
Video: Pediatricians Debunk 16 Myths About Raising Kids
New Knowledge, New Norms
As the medical field matured in the mid-20th century, researchers began studying the effects of alcohol on infants. Spoiler: the results were alarming.
- Alcohol disrupted brain development
- It stressed the liver
- It impaired motor coordination
- It increased risk of addiction later in life
These findings led to a major shift. Pediatricians began warning against alcohol use in children. New products hit the market—safe teething gels, pacifiers, infant pain relievers. Suddenly, whiskey had competition—and it lost.
Public health campaigns reinforced the message: no amount of alcohol is safe for babies. And slowly, one generation’s standard remedy became another’s cautionary tale.
A Modern Look at Outdated Practices
From Shock to Understanding
Today, we shake our heads at some of these old parenting hacks—but it’s important to view them through a compassionate lens. People weren’t being careless—they were doing their best with what they had.
The whiskey-in-the-bottle story reminds us that parenting, like science, is a constantly evolving field. What seems obvious now wasn’t obvious then. And that should humble us, not horrify us.
What This Teaches Us About Parenting Today
Curiosity, Change, and Compassion
Let’s be real: parenting is still hard. Every generation faces its own challenges. What matters is that we keep asking questions, keep researching, and keep striving to do better.
Thanks to modern medicine, we now have safer, healthier ways to care for our kids. But stories like this one remind us to stay curious—because sometimes, a child’s innocent question (“Did people really give babies whiskey?!”) can open the door to a powerful lesson in history, empathy, and progress.
Conclusion: A Shot of Wisdom from the Past
So yes, people really did put whiskey in baby bottles. It sounds unbelievable now, but it was once seen as love, care, and comfort wrapped in a glass bottle. Today, we know better—and that’s the point. Every generation learns. Every generation improves.
We don’t mock the past—we learn from it. And the next time you face a parenting challenge, remember: the best tool you have isn’t a bottle of anything. It’s your willingness to grow, question, and keep your child’s safety front and center.
