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

Teething Remedies Were Especially Popular

Teething was one of the biggest reasons caregivers used whiskey on babies.

Parents believed rubbing alcohol on sore gums numbed the pain and soothed fussiness. Because babies often cried intensely during teething, exhausted parents searched for anything that seemed to work.

Unfortunately, people did not yet fully understand the risks alcohol posed to developing brains and bodies.

The Risks We Understand Today

Modern medical research shows alcohol can be extremely harmful to infants and young children.

Even small amounts may:

• Affect breathing
• Lower blood sugar dangerously
• Harm brain development
• Cause drowsiness or loss of consciousness
• Increase the risk of alcohol poisoning

That’s why pediatricians today strongly advise against giving babies alcohol in any form.

If a child is teething or uncomfortable, safer, evidence-based treatments are now available.

Why Old Parenting Practices Change

Looking back at historical parenting habits can feel strange or even alarming, but it also reveals how much medicine and science have evolved.

Throughout history, many once-common practices later proved unsafe, including:

• Smoking around children
• Using certain toxic medicines
• Lack of car-seat safety
• Unsafe sleep positions for infants

Most parents in earlier generations were doing the best they could with the knowledge available at the time.

The Power of Medical Progress

One of the most important lessons from history is that parenting advice changes as scientific understanding improves.

Practices once considered normal may later become dangerous, while modern recommendations continue evolving with new research.

That’s why trusted medical guidance matters so much today.

Final Thoughts

The history of whiskey in baby bottles may sound shocking now, but it reflects a time when families relied heavily on tradition and limited medical knowledge to care for children.

Thankfully, modern medicine has dramatically improved infant safety and helped replace risky remedies with safer, evidence-based care.

And while the image of whiskey in a baby bottle belongs firmly in the past, it remains a fascinating reminder of how much parenting—and medicine—have changed over the generations.