A Facebook post featuring a hospital’s “Instructions for Mothers” from 1968 has gone viral, showcasing just how much parenting norms have evolved over the decades. Micala Gabrielle Henson discovered the old guidelines while her mother was decluttering. “It made me laugh,” she shared. “Just look at how things have changed! This is from 1968! I can’t believe it!”
Strict Visiting Hours
The guidelines reveal strict visiting hours for parents wanting to see their newborns: “Babies are displayed in the nursery window from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. Do not ask to see the baby at any other time.” Talk about rigid!
Shocking Feeding Instructions
The feeding instructions are particularly shocking. New mothers were advised to limit nursing during the first day to just five minutes. For the next two days, they could increase nursing time to a staggering seven minutes, and by the fourth and fifth days, they were allowed a whopping 10-15 minutes. The rationale behind this? “If baby nurses longer, it may cause the nipples to become sore.” Really?
Hospital Stays Then and Now
What’s even crazier to consider is that these rules suggest mothers were expected to stay in the hospital for days post-delivery, a luxury many nowadays don’t experience due to insurance constraints. Just think about the rest and care they received compared to the quick discharges families face today.
Amusing Dietary Restrictions
Henson also highlighted the amusing restrictions on what nursing mothers could eat in 1968, including chocolate, raw apples, cabbage, nuts, strawberries, cherries, onions, and green coconut cake. However, regular brown coconut cake was probably still on the menu!
Support for Nursing Mothers
Interestingly, for those mothers unable to meet the strict guidelines, nurses were always prepared with formula, ensuring babies received adequate nutrition despite the brief nursing sessions.
A Fascinating Piece of History
“I found it to be a fascinating piece of history,” Henson told a publication. The original document was distributed to new mothers at a hospital in Concord, North Carolina. “It’s hilarious and outrageous!”
Conclusion
Truly, times have changed—most likely for the better. If you’re interested in the evolution of parenting, check out more insights in our related post.
In summary, the viral post serves as a humorous reminder of how far we’ve come in maternity care and parenting practices.