Parenting has always mirrored the best knowledge and cultural attitudes of its time, even when certain practices later turned out to be harmful. One striking example is the once-common tradition of adding whiskey to baby bottles, which was widely practiced throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. What may seem reckless today was, at the time, viewed as a caring and responsible way to soothe a child’s discomfort.

Whiskey was considered almost medicinal in those days. It was often prescribed or recommended for sore throats, indigestion, and general pain relief. For parents who had limited medical resources or access to professional care, it seemed natural to extend the same remedy to infants. A few drops of whiskey in a bottle were thought to ease colic, numb the pain of teething, or calm a fussy baby enough to sleep. Many parents believed they were offering their children comfort rather than putting them at risk.

Even some doctors of the era gave alcohol their stamp of approval. Pediatric medicine was still in its early stages, and the long-term effects of alcohol on child development were not well understood. Combined with the widespread social acceptance of drinking, whiskey was not viewed as particularly dangerous, especially in small amounts. It was, in many ways, seen as one of the few tools available to parents facing the everyday challenges of childcare.

However, by the mid-20th century, science began to paint a much different picture. Research showed that alcohol posed significant risks to infants, including damage to brain development, impaired breathing, and long-term health consequences. The comforting myth that whiskey was harmless for children was dismantled as evidence mounted about its dangers. What was once considered common sense came to be seen as reckless and unsafe.

The cultural shift away from this practice was reinforced by public health campaigns and the development of safer medical alternatives. As pediatric science advanced, parents gained new options for managing colic, teething, and sleepless nights without turning to alcohol. With better information, old traditions were abandoned in favor of methods rooted in evidence and safety.

Looking back, the practice of giving whiskey to babies may seem shocking, but it underscores an important truth about parenting: it evolves with knowledge. Past generations made their choices out of love, working with the limited resources they had. Their mistakes remind us of the importance of evidence-based care and the need to remain open to new discoveries that can better protect children’s health and well-being.