Parenting has always been guided by love—and limited by the knowledge of the time. One bygone practice that now shocks modern parents is the use of whiskey in baby bottles.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, whiskey was seen as a cure-all. It was commonly used to soothe fussy babies, ease teething pain, and help infants sleep. Parents, lacking modern medicine and advice, believed a few drops of alcohol were both harmless and helpful. Whiskey’s popularity stemmed from its widespread use as a household remedy. In a time when medical professionals were scarce and pediatric research was minimal, alcohol—even opium and morphine—were considered acceptable treatments for children.