When my first child entered the world in 1991, parenting was a far more spontaneous affair. We leaned heavily on three pillars for survival: 1) wise grandparents, 2) our own instinct (as misguided as it sometimes was), and 3) a well-stocked stash of Bacardi wine coolers—the unofficial survival guide for first-time parents.
Fast forward twenty-two years, and I’ve welcomed four more children into my life, with my youngest still shy of three years old. Instead of living the carefree life of an empty nester, I abruptly dove back into the chaotic realm of diaper changes, midnight feedings, and endless laundry.
In the two decades that have passed, the landscape of parenting has shifted dramatically. Car seats have evolved, baby food has gone organic, and the notion of letting a baby “cry it out” has become a standard practice. Who would have thought we’d be told not to pick up our crying babies to avoid spoiling them?
While many of us believed we were doing the right thing, we were often just following in the footsteps of previous generations without the wealth of resources available today—no YouTube tutorials, no exhaustive parenting manuals, and certainly no crash tests to indicate what was safe or effective. With today’s gadgets like crying monitors and diaper alerts, I can’t help but wonder what’s next—robotic burping arms? (Yes, you read that right, and yes, they are utterly absurd.)
As I revisited old soothing methods, I realized some of our go-to techniques now seem outright questionable. Here are eight outdated baby-soothing practices that would raise eyebrows among today’s parents:
- Temporarily Unbuckling Car Seats While Driving
I can already hear the gasps. Yes, we did it. If a child began to wail in the backseat, we didn’t hesitate to unlatch the buckle for a few moments of freedom. Often, it was just enough to calm them down. Back in the day, child passenger safety laws were only just beginning to emerge, so we made our own interpretations—shameful, I know. - Using Crib Bumper Pads
We thought bumper pads were a necessary safety feature. They supposedly kept little heads from bumping against crib sides and prevented tiny limbs from getting stuck. Unfortunately, we overlooked the fact that they could pose a suffocation risk. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against using crib bumpers. - Hanging Unstable Mobiles in Cribs
Mobiles used to be more decorative than practical, often resembling precarious fishing poles dangling above a baby. We thought they were charming, but today’s versions are designed with safety in mind, securely attaching to cribs to prevent accidents. - Placing Babies on Their Stomachs to Sleep
We genuinely believed belly sleeping was harmless until science proved otherwise. With research highlighting the connection between this position and SIDS, it’s now a hard no—regardless of what Grandma might say. - Using Crank Swings That Were All or Nothing
Baby swings of the past had limited speed settings—essentially motionless or full throttle. We cranked them like we were on a mission, blissfully unaware of the potential dangers involved. - Responding Immediately to Every Cry
In earlier parenting days, there was less judgment surrounding how to respond to a crying baby. I personally believe in nurturing and holding babies often, and today’s parents should feel free to follow their instincts without fear of backlash. - Letting Babies Use Walkers with No Brakes
Walkers were once a popular way to give babies mobility, but they lacked essential safety features. It wasn’t until later that safer alternatives emerged, yet walkers still pose risks to development. - Dabbing Whiskey on Teething Gums
Perhaps one of the most eyebrow-raising techniques was the practice of applying whiskey to a teething baby’s gums, which was once considered routine. Thankfully, we’ve moved past this, recognizing the potential dangers of alcohol.
Despite my questionable soothing techniques, I’m proud to say my children have come through unscathed. I’m grateful for the safer products and methods available to today’s parents. But let’s leave behind the absurd gadgets and focus on what truly matters—like investing in a college fund for your little one.
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Summary
Parenting has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with many old soothing practices now deemed unsafe or outdated. From unbuckling car seats to using crib bumpers, the techniques used by previous generations have been replaced by safer, more effective methods. Today’s parents can benefit from a wealth of resources and knowledge that were unavailable in the past.