Issues of child care and education of the younger generation were important for parents at all times. And always there were those whose authoritative opinion on these issues was considered the only true and there was no doubt, even if the expert's advice did not go to the benefit of the child. It would take a lot of time and grow a generation, so that people were willing to give up preconceived ideas.
Experimental version of the site Kolobok.ua He gathered the most bizarre and useless (and, at times, and bad) advice from old books on education and childcare.
The basics of child care
In the treatise in 1254 physician Aldobrandini of Siena gives the following recommendations for infant care: "Newborn baby should impose petals and salt and swaddle permitted only experienced nurse. The baby, like wax, takes any shape, so it will be what it will do babysitting, therefore, beauty and ugliness are largely dependent on it. When the hands, the feet and the head of the child well-rewound, leave him to sleep in the cradle. "
How to change a diaper
Because of wet wipes in the 17th century was not there, the child was asked before how to change a diaper, sponge or linen rag soaked in wine, diluted with water. This should be done was done three times a day, at 7 am, noon and at 7 pm. The work in 1612 is given such advice as how to change a diaper crumbs "Make sure to close all windows and the door, the nurse put the fire, put on her outstretched legs pillow and cover anything that the child does not chill. "
What wine to give the child
The question of whether the child is drinking wine, in principle, has not been discussed, the question was what exactly to choose for the heir. The doctor Michele Savonarola in his book about child care from 1450 advised lactating mothers drink wine with a delicate bouquet, and children up to 7 years to give ordinary wine diluted with water. When this preference is recommended to give the white wines.
How to feed your baby
You are a supporter of the regime of the day, and you believe that a child should have at the same time or on the other hand, focusing on their hunger? In the book, "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" from 1692 educator John Locke wrote: "It is not necessary to feed the baby on a schedule, otherwise it will start to feel sick, if it is not time to get the food. Better every day to change the time of feeding. If a child is hungry, give him the dry bread. Besides meat and liquid slurry, the child can be given a beer. "
How to dress a child
Women's magazine in 1890 on the occasion of giving such advice: "Pure white color of clothing suitable for all babies, blue - for girls, and pink - for boys." How, since then things have changed quite the opposite, it is unclear.
How to relieve teething
This issue is parental care at all times. There were recommendations to do so with the help of the dog's milk, fat or goose foie hare brain. In the 20th century it became the conventional wisdom recommended rubbing alcohol baby gums.
In 1920, Dr. Mary Esther Harding in his book wrote that alcohol - this is the best sedative and hypnotic for infants. And some of the popular means to relieve teething included morphine. One of them, «Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup »was popular until the 1930s.
How to properly weaned
In the book, George Nafis from 1869 have not recommended weaning summer, as if to do it in the heat, you can "expose him to death." If all the same, for some reason had to do it, you need to hire a nurse, and send her child to the village.
By the way, today's pediatricians solidarity with Nafis in this matter, they are also not recommended to stop breast-feeding in the summer, although it is not so categorical.
How to bathe children
At the beginning of the 20th century, there was widespread belief that during the first week of life of children need to bathe in the bath with pork fat.
How to raise a child
Now all the teachers and psychologists are unanimous in the opinion that physical punishment - is evil. Most recently, at the beginning of the last century, experts in children's education held a completely different opinion.
Children are not encouraged to embrace and kiss, smaller advised to play with them and take the hands, so as not to spoil. A spanking was considered the most reliable means of education, and the best way to deal with tantrums.
How to determine the sex of the child
In the old days the question of what will be the floor in the child often was not just idle curiosity, especially when it came to an aristocratic family, who was heir to the need. As ultrasound machines did not determine the sex of the baby tried on appearance expectant mother.
In the book "The works of Aristotle" in 1684, they were described as follows: "The pregnant woman's boy right eye more agile and brilliant than the left, right cheek more ruddy than the left, and the whole complexion fresher than usually. Also, if a pregnant woman is less sad, then it will be a boy, and if more - the girl. "
And be sure to ask, some 10 deadly things were the norm in the last century.
