
Those were the days before they put the word ‘care’ into childcare. Author Chris Wild has unearthed some astonishing historic photos for his new book — The Retronaut Guide To Raising Children: The Past Like You Wouldn’t Believe.

While the Mumsnet generation of parents must be reaching for the smelling salts, we can only say: Please, don’t try this at home!

Have you got a light boy? Two young lads look like experienced smokers in their ornately furnished secret den

No hitting below the, er, nappy: Little mites, who can hardly lift gloves, are put in a makeshift boxing ring in the fifites

Synchronised swimming: Novice bather's learn on a 'merry go-round' at their school in Cincinnati in 1930

Hung out to dry: These babies are not enjoying being 'kept out of trouble' on the washing line

Cupboard love: Sheltering from an air raid in London during the Blitz

Uneasy rider: Mother ensures drivers will give her boy a wide berth

Bin abandoned: A tot left in a park waste basket while his brothers play

Googlebox: Sun ray therapy in 1938 after it was said to ward off chest infections and anaemia

High flyer: Baby gets fresh air in cage hung outside of a top floor flat in 1938