People are never satisfied with the way things are. We’re always talking about the things that need changing without really taking a moment to appreciate how much things have already changed, and this applies to parenting too. Sure, we have a long way to go. But look how far we’ve come. Parenting has had a huge makeover in the last couple of decades. And we would like to shed some light on all the things that have changed since our grandparent’s time and how we should be grateful for every step forward. But if you’d like to go down the memory lane and take a look at all the things that parents don’t do anymore, then this is the article for you. Read on to know more!
1. Babies Were Toilet Trained Shortly After Birth
It’s quite surprising to think that teaching babies bathroom etiquette and cues used to be a common practice. While it might sound unusual today, in the 20th century, parents were actually encouraged to initiate toilet training for their infants as early as a few weeks old. The rationale behind this approach was to establish a more consistent toilet training routine by the time the child could sit up. However, the invention of disposable diapers played a crucial role in altering this practice, leading to a delay in the age at which babies were introduced to potty training. In the early days, when only cloth diapers were available, potty training typically commenced when children were between 12 and 18 months old.
2. Baby Bedtime Activities Have Changed Drastically
What do you do before you put your baby to sleep? Perhaps you read them their favorite bedtime story, tuck them in, or sing them a lullabye. But did you know that decades ago, they believed that children should exercise or run right before going to bed? Their reasoning behind it was that they thought the kids would exhaust themselves and fall asleep faster if they ran right before bedtime. They also believed that children should go to sleep at 6 p.m. in winter and 7 p.m. in summer. If the kids stayed up past this time they believed that kids would grow old faster and be more susceptible to diseases. Can you imagine going to sleep at 6 every night? In contrast to this, children are now advised to have a relaxing and soothing bedtime routine.
3. Special Accessories Were Available To Hang Babies From Windows In Order For Them To Sunbathe
If this doesn’t sound completely outrageous, we’re not sure what does! However, as incredible as it may appear, there was a valid reason behind parents’ strong desire to ensure their babies received ample sunlight. At the beginning of the twentieth century, to prevent tuberculosis, mothers were advised to keep their children in well-ventilated, sunny environments for as long as possible. In response to this guidance, baby cages were designed for families residing in multi-story buildings. These contraptions were essentially created to safely suspend children by windows, allowing them to sunbathe regularly and breathe in fresh air.
4. Babies Had To Sleep On Their Stomachs
Yes, it’s true, but times have changed. Between 1970 and 1980, experts recommended that babies sleep on their stomachs, believing it to be the safest position. However, this advice has since been debunked, as it was found that this sleeping position could actually increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 1994, a campaign was launched to dispel this myth and encourage parents to place their babies to sleep on their backs, which is now recognized as the safest sleeping position. This change in practice led to a significant reduction in SIDS cases, with the number dropping to less than 50%. It’s quite remarkable!
5. Babies Began Eating Solids A Few Days Or Weeks After Being Born
As incredible as it may sound, parents in the 1960s were advised to discontinue breastfeeding and introduce solid foods to their babies as early as possible. There was a belief that even newborns as young as 2 days old could consume cereal and partake in adult beverages like coffee or tea. The goal was to familiarize babies with regular family meals by the time they reached 6 to 7 months of age. It’s truly astonishing! Just picture a 6-month-old attempting to chew a steak.
Raising babies doesn’t get easier no matter what age you live in, but the way we choose to parent does differ vastly. It’s safe to say that we’ve made some strides and will continue to do so.