The Surprising History of Whiskey in Baby Bottles—and Why It Was Once Common

But surprisingly, there was a time when whiskey in baby bottles was not only accepted — it was common.

For generations, parents and caregivers used alcohol as a household remedy for everything from teething pain to sleepless nights. Looking back now, it seems unbelievable, but historically, many families genuinely believed they were helping their children.

Why Did Parents Give Babies Whiskey?

Before modern pediatric medicine existed, parents had limited options for treating discomfort, pain, and illness in children.

Doctors were not always easily accessible, especially in rural communities. Many remedies were passed down through family traditions, folk medicine, and home advice.

Whiskey was often used because people believed it could:

• Help babies sleep
• Calm crying
• Ease teething pain
• Reduce fever or discomfort
• Relax the body

Some parents rubbed whiskey directly on a baby’s gums during teething, while others added small amounts to milk or bottles.

At the time, alcohol was viewed very differently than it is today.