Parenting advice has evolved, influenced by new scientific discoveries, cultural shifts, and changing societal values. If you look back just a few decades, you’ll find some parenting tips that, while common knowledge at the time, now seem outdated or even bizarre. From questionable health practices to rigid parenting philosophies, many of the strategies once recommended to parents have since been debunked or replaced with more modern approaches.
In this article, we’ll explore 18 vintage parenting tips that modern parents would find outdated, sometimes surprising, and often downright amusing.
Let Your Baby Sleep on Their Stomach
A few decades ago, it was widely believed that babies should sleep on their stomachs. The idea was that it would prevent choking during sleep. Today, however, research has shown that sleeping on the back is far safer and significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Modern pediatricians strongly recommend placing babies on their backs for every nap and bedtime.
A Little Whiskey for Teething Pain
It’s hard to believe now, but there was a time when parents were advised to rub whiskey or brandy on their babies’ gums to help with teething pain. While this was considered a quick fix, it’s now considered dangerous. Alcohol can harm a baby’s developing nervous system, and today, teething rings, cool washcloths, or safe pain relief gels are preferred.
Feed Your Baby Evaporated Milk
Before the advent of modern baby formulas, some parents were told to feed their babies evaporated milk mixed with corn syrup. While this may have been a quick solution, it’s now clear that babies need a specific balance of nutrients like healthy fats, vitamins, and proteins—something evaporated milk can’t provide. Nowadays, breast milk or specially formulated baby formulas are considered the best sources of nutrition for infants.
Sunbathe Your Baby Daily
Many parents were encouraged to sunbathe their babies every day, thinking that it was essential for their vitamin D intake. While it’s true that vitamin D is important, we now know that UV exposure can be harmful to young skin and increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Today, we focus on safe sun exposure, sunscreen, and sometimes vitamin D supplements to ensure babies stay healthy without the risks of overexposure to the sun.
Children Should Be “Seen and Not Heard”
This well-known saying once reflected a societal expectation that children should be quiet, respectful, and obedient, especially in the presence of adults. The idea was that children should stay out of conversations and never interrupt. Today, most parents encourage their children to actively participate in family discussions, express their feelings, and share their thoughts openly. It’s now understood that this helps foster emotional intelligence and self-confidence.
Corporal Punishment is Necessary Discipline
For many years, spanking and other forms of physical punishment were considered acceptable ways to discipline children. The belief was that this approach effectively promoted good behavior. Modern parenting, however, focuses on teaching children to understand the consequences of their actions in a more thoughtful and non-violent way. Experts now advise against corporal punishment, highlighting the negative impact it can have on a child’s emotional well-being and behavior.
Start Solids as Early as 2 Months
There was once a belief that babies should start solid foods as early as 2 months old to help them sleep better and grow faster. Today, experts recommend waiting until babies are around 6 months old before introducing solids, as their digestive systems need more time to mature. Starting too early can also increase the risk of food allergies and other digestive issues.
Let Babies Cry It Out – Always
In the past, many parents were told to let their babies cry it out, under the belief that responding too quickly to a crying baby would spoil them or create bad habits. While some parents still use this method, current parenting philosophies emphasize being responsive to a baby’s cries. Research shows that meeting a baby’s needs helps them feel safe and secure, forming the foundation for a strong parent-child bond and healthy emotional development.
Use Sugar to Keep Kids Calm
Sugar was once considered a good way to calm a fussy child. Parents might have given their children sugar cubes, candies, or sugary drinks to keep them quiet or happy. Today, we know that excess sugar is linked to many health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and behavioral problems. Modern parents are more likely to reach for a healthy snack or find other ways to comfort their kids without relying on sugar.
Smoking Around Kids is Fine
It wasn’t unusual to see parents smoking indoors or in the car while children were present. Secondhand smoke was often considered harmless, even in close quarters. Fast forward to today, and we now know that secondhand smoke is incredibly harmful to children. It can lead to respiratory issues, exacerbate asthma, and increase the risk of SIDS. Most modern parents understand the importance of creating a smoke-free environment for their children’s health.
Use Lard or Butter for Diaper Rash
Before the availability of specialized diaper creams, parents often used lard or butter to treat diaper rash. While these might have offered some temporary relief, they didn’t effectively protect or heal the skin. Now, pediatricians recommend using creams with zinc oxide and following good hygiene practices to treat and prevent diaper rash.
A Baby Needs a Strict Feeding Schedule
There was a time when strict, clock-based feeding schedules were the norm for babies. Parents were told to feed their infants at specific intervals, regardless of whether the baby was hungry. Today, most experts advocate for on-demand feeding, especially for breastfed babies, as it helps meet their needs and promotes better growth. Modern parenting is more flexible and responsive to a baby’s natural hunger cues.
Handle Babies as Little as Possible
In the past, some advice suggested that parents should avoid holding or cuddling their babies too much, as it might make them overly dependent. Physical affection is crucial for a baby’s emotional and social development. Holding, cuddling, and responding to a baby’s needs help build a secure attachment and promote healthy brain development.
Let Older Siblings Babysit – Even if They’re Young
It wasn’t uncommon for young children, sometimes as young as 8 or 9, to be left in charge of their younger siblings. While older siblings may want to help care for their brothers and sisters, it’s now understood that proper childcare requires maturity and responsibility. Parents today know it’s important to have an adult or a responsible caregiver in charge when younger children are involved.
“Wash Your Mouth Out with Soap”
In the past, one of the more drastic forms of discipline was washing a child’s mouth with soap if they were caught swearing or talking back. Today, this practice is considered not only ineffective but also abusive. Modern parents focus on teaching kids the importance of respectful language and communication rather than resorting to physical punishment.
No Need for Car Seats
It’s hard to believe now, but before the 1980s, many parents drove with their children unrestrained or sitting on their laps. Today, car seats are mandatory and considered one of the most important safety measures for protecting children in a car. We now know that car seats significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident.
Encourage Early Independence by Weaning Quickly
It was once believed that to encourage independence, babies should be weaned from breastfeeding as soon as possible. Modern experts, however, recommend breastfeeding for at least 12 months (or longer if possible), as it provides essential nutrients, emotional bonding, and developmental benefits for both mother and baby.
Kids Should Play Alone—Too Much Attention Spoils Them
Some vintage parenting advice suggests that children should play alone as much as possible to avoid being spoiled by too much attention. Today, we understand that active engagement in a child’s playtime is crucial for their social and cognitive development. Spending quality time together, playing with them, or simply being present helps strengthen the bond between parent and child.
Conclusion
Looking back at these outdated parenting tips, it’s clear how far we’ve come in understanding what children need to thrive. Modern parenting is built on empathy, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of child development. While the past may have shaped the way we parent today, our ability to adapt and learn makes us better parents. What may have seemed like common sense in the past is now often viewed as harmful or misguided, but that’s just part of the journey toward better parenting practices. Today, parents are more informed and empowered than ever to give their children the care, love, and security they need to grow and flourish.
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