7 Untold Facts About Early Childhood

Motherhood is a timeless art, but like anything else, it changes with people. In retrospect, some of the parenting practices of the past are amazing! From opium to baby cribs, here are 7 of the most famous motherhood facts throughout history.

Opium as a Soother

For centuries, opium was considered good for babies, used to treat everything from diarrhea to teething. Parents provided tea, soups, and even medicine like Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. Called the “Nurse of the Poor Children,” opium was often used to soothe hungry children. But in 1912, when the International Opium Convention was signed in The Hague, governments began to ban the use of this drug for children.

Tooth Extraction Abscesses

Bees have long been a common medical treatment, but did you know they are used to relieve toothache in children? Parents were instructed to put reeds in their children’s mouths—a practice that seems unheard of today. Times have definitely changed!

The first known pregnancy test dates back to ancient Egypt, around 1350 BC Women would urinate on barley or wheat, and if the grains sprouted quickly, it would indicate pregnancy. Surprisingly, a recent study by Harvard University found this method to be 80% accurate!

Sending Children

In the early days of the United States Postal Service, there were few restrictions on mail delivery—making some parents send their children in the mail! Between 1913 and 1915, approximately seven cases were recorded. It was cheaper than buying a train ticket! Fortunately, the postmaster soon put an end to this practice, and the last delivery of mail to a child took place in 1915.

Bathing in Lard

Bathing is important, but in the 1800s and early 1900s, parents were advised to bathe their babies in lard. The belief was that animal fat would help remove waxy vernix from new babies. It seems counterintuitive now, but it used to be common!

Potty Training Pressure

Today, parents are happy if their child is potty trained at the age of 3. But imagine being told that your child needs to be potty trained before they can change! In 1932, the US government released a book called *Infant Care* which encouraged children to be potty trained by eight months!

The Baby Cage

In the early 1900s, fresh air was very important to children’s health. However, for families living in overcrowded cities without outdoor space, this led to the creation of baby kennels. These metal cages were built into the windows, so that the children could get fresh air—hanging high above the streets below!

Motherhood and parenting have come a long way and continue to evolve. Who knows what our current actions will be viewed as old fashioned or funny by future generations?!