By today’s standards, the idea feels almost absurd—yet there was a time when giving alcohol to infants was seen as sensible, even caring.
In the past, whiskey in a baby’s bottle wasn’t viewed as negligence but as a practical solution, passed down through families and quietly supported by medical voices of the era. To understand how such a practice took hold, it’s necessary to step into a world shaped by limited science and deeply ingrained beliefs.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, medicine was far less precise than it is now. Many families lived far from trained physicians, relying instead on household remedies and community wisdom. Alcohol, particularly whiskey, was considered a versatile cure-all.
It was believed to warm the body, settle the stomach, and calm the nerves. For infants who cried endlessly from teething, colic, or illness, whiskey seemed to offer quick relief by inducing sleep or dulling discomfort.
Doctors of the time were not immune to these assumptions. Without modern research methods, many relied on observation and tradition rather than controlled studies. Alcohol appeared to work because babies became quiet and drowsy after consuming it. The immediate effect was mistaken for healing, reinforcing the belief that it was beneficial rather than harmful.
Social attitudes toward alcohol also played a major role. Whiskey was common in households and used openly for both recreation and medicine. Its dangers—especially to developing brains—were not yet understood. As a result, the practice continued across generations, rarely questioned and often defended as “what everyone did.”
The turning point came with advances in medical science during the mid-20th century. Researchers began documenting the real effects of alcohol on infants, revealing risks such as slowed development, respiratory suppression, and long-term neurological damage. Public health initiatives soon followed, reshaping parenting advice and firmly separating folklore from fact.
Today, the notion of giving alcohol to a baby is alarming, but it serves as a powerful reminder of how cultural habits can outlast evidence. What was once accepted as common sense is now recognized as dangerous, underscoring the importance of continual learning and skepticism—even toward long-standing traditions.
Conclusion
The history of whiskey in baby bottles illustrates how easily good intentions can lead to harmful outcomes when knowledge is limited. By examining past practices with honesty and humility, we reinforce the value of science-based care. Progress in parenting, like progress in medicine, depends on the willingness to question tradition and prioritize the well-being of the most vulnerable.