Baby products have evolved tremendously over the decades. Some items faded away simply because trends changed. Others were taken off the shelves due to safety concerns. As times change, so do parenting styles. For example, how many parents today still use cloth diapers? Not nearly as many as there were in the 1960s! In the spirit of nostalgia, let’s take a look at eight old-school baby items that you’re unlikely to come across these days—and the reasons they’re no longer around.
8) Silver Baby Spoons
There was once a time when giving a silver spoon to a newborn was considered the ultimate gift. These finely crafted spoons weren’t just feeding utensils; they were symbols of wealth and status. If you were lucky enough to receive one, it often became a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations. But starting in the 1960s, silver baby spoons began to fall out of favor. Families became more practical, and the idea of handing a baby a valuable (and tarnishable!) silver object didn’t hold the same appeal. While you can still find them online or in antique stores, most modern parents stick with safer, easier-to-clean materials like BPA-free plastic or stainless steel.
7) Diaper Services
Once upon a time, disposable diapers didn’t exist. Parents relied on cloth diapers, which meant a lot of washing—unless they used a diaper service. These services would pick up soiled cloth diapers from your front porch, launder them, and deliver fresh ones back to your door. This was a game-changer for families who didn’t own washing machines, which was common through the early 20th century. However, once disposable diapers hit the market in the 1960s, they quickly became the more convenient option. Diaper services slowly faded away as more families bought washers and dryers. Today, cloth diapers have made a small comeback among eco-conscious parents, but the old-school diaper pickup services are now mostly a thing of the past.
6) Wooden Potty Chairs
Wooden potty chairs were once a standard sight in homes with toddlers. These little seats often had a removable pot underneath, made of plastic, ceramic, or metal. While they got the job done, today they’d be considered unsanitary and difficult to clean. Modern potty chairs are typically made of easy-to-wash plastic and are designed with comfort—and hygiene—in mind. Plus, the old wooden versions lacked many of the safety features parents expect today. You might spot one of these vintage chairs at an antique store, but you won’t find many parents using them anymore.
5) Tiny Teddy Musical Toys
These small musical toys, often shaped like teddy bears, were once a nursery staple. They made sweet, chiming sounds that charmed babies and delighted parents. Much like the old xylophone toys, their gentle melodies are often associated with childhood memories from decades ago. However, times have changed, and toys with strings or cords are now viewed as potential hazards. Safety standards have become stricter, and string-operated toys are less common as a result. While some modern musical toys offer similar sounds, they’re usually battery-powered and designed with strict safety regulations in mind.
4) Open Baby Carriages
If you look at baby strollers from the early-to-mid 20th century, you’ll notice how open they are. These vintage carriages often lacked seat belts or harnesses and were designed more for comfort and style than safety. Babies were often propped up in these prams without any secure straps holding them in place. Fast forward to today, and the landscape of baby transportation has drastically changed. Modern strollers come equipped with five-point harnesses, adjustable recline positions, and even shock absorbers. Safety is now the top priority, and an open-style baby carriage wouldn’t meet today’s strict safety standards.
3) Wooden Bathinettes
Wooden bathinettes were once a common sight in households with newborns. These portable tubs often featured a wooden frame with a basin for bathing babies. Back then, they seemed like a practical solution, but by today’s standards, they’re considered less sanitary and more prone to wear and tear. Modern baby bath tubs are usually made from plastic or other waterproof materials that are easier to clean and more durable. If you happen to see a wooden bathinette today, it’s probably being sold as a vintage piece or a collectible rather than an everyday baby item.
2) Fisher-Price Roly Poly Toys
Fisher-Price’s Roly Poly toys were round, chime-filled delights for babies and toddlers in the 1960s and early 1980s. These toys wobbled and rolled but never tipped over, making them endlessly entertaining for little ones. The original large versions were discontinued in 1985, although smaller versions popped up later as stroller or crib attachments. Like many vintage toys, they’ve become collectors’ items, but they’ve also been replaced by newer designs with enhanced safety features. Today’s toys focus more on developmental milestones and safety than on novelty.
1) Slip-On Car Seats
Believe it or not, there was a time when car seats for babies were barely more than slip-on seats that hooked over the back of the car seat. These car seats, popular in the 1950s and 1960s, often didn’t even have proper restraints. Many babies were just held on laps, or not restrained at all! These early models now look flimsy and unsafe compared to today’s car seats, which are rigorously tested for crash protection and must meet strict safety standards. Back then, parents thought they were doing the right thing with these slip-on seats, but we now know just how risky they really were.
