A parent's
life isn't easy: Mom and Dad always try to get the best for their child, and in
order to do that, they need to be able to properly assess the best options that
are constantly being offered to them. What is the best pushchair? Can I give my
child this specific food? And many other questions ...
Today there
are undoubtedly issues on which parents are in complete agreement, such as
never falling asleep with a baby in their arms or in the same bed, or
"stuffy" blankets or stuffed animals in the child's crib. Have
today's parents become more concerned? We cannot say with absolute certainty,
but looking back we certainly notice other types of problems and fears. It
seems that in the past, parents have constantly risked their children's lives
without being fully aware of it. Look at these inventions and methods that
parents once used.
1. These "baby cages" were invented to provide children living in apartments with adequate exposure to sunlight and fresh air (1937)
Photo Credit : A photo that
only makes us shiver when we look at it: a child "in a cage", hung in
the void, in what should be a 1930s building in New York. At the beginning of
the 20th century, many parents were concerned that their child was not getting
enough "fresh air". What better solution than these "very
safe" cages?
2. It's 1936, you want to go ice skating, but you need to take care of your baby who is only a few months old. One of the most dangerous solutions we've ever seen!
Does this
seem like a dangerous solution? It sure is. However, for hockey player Jack
Milford, it was the invention of the century, allowing him and his wife to
skate with the baby.
3. For example, in the 1950's they thought it was normal for your baby to travel a few months old!
Do you know
the luggage compartment on the plane, where hand luggage is usually stored?
Well, in the 1950s, they invented this kind of seat to attach to the overhead
compartment so that babies can travel. At first glance, it doesn't seem like a
bad idea either ... but what if there is turbulence? We don't want to know.
4. How can such a thing not look dangerous?
It is not
clear how that child can stay in the correct position on such a unicycle: the
photo today would scare any parent, while the photographer at the time may have
been trying to make a good impression with this photo!
5. Gas masks for babies during a military exercise in a British hospital (1940)
Photo Credit : Reddit / GiorgioMDBaby gas
masks apparently covered the entire body except the feet. It doesn't look very
safe for the babies, especially since nurses seem to lift them like you lift a
bag.
6. An ultraviolet lamp "marked" the children's initials, making it easier for nurses to recognize babies.
Photo Credit : Reddit / FNaXQIt seems
that in the 1930's it was common to exchange and even steal babies at birth. To
overcome this problem, our predecessors thought of this very practical lamp!
7. A butcher's scale to measure the weight of children ... Does it just seem that way or is it quite disturbing ?!
Photo Credit : Wikimedia / Willem van de Poll8. The parents of the past let their small children sleep in these very comfortable hammocks ... imagine one of them turning over in his sleep!
Photo Credit : WikimediaNow we know
how risky it is to fall asleep in the same bed even with your newborn!
