Photo Credit: Duke University Libraries

This advertisement for 7-Up soda depicts a baby drinking 7-up while a woman’s hand holds up the bottle for him to drink. Ladies Home Journal ran this advertisement in its January 9, 1955 issue. It explains why the company “have the youngest customers in the business:”

This young man is 11 months old – and he isn’t our youngest, customer by any means.
For 7-Up is so pure, so wholesome, you can even give it to babies and feel good about it. Look at the back of a 7-Up bottle. Notice that all our ingredients are listed. (That isn’t required of soft drinks, you know – but we’re proud to do it and we think you’re pleased that we do.)
By the way, Mom, when it comes to toddlers – if they like to be coaxed to drink their milk, try this: Add 7-Up to the milk in equal parts, pouring the 7-Up to the milk in equal parts, pouring the 7-Up gently into the milk. It’s a wholesome combination – and it works! Make 7-Up your family drink. You like it . . . it likes you!

Whenever I think of milk, I automatically think I should add 7-Up. . . .  But, of course, why not combine two “wholesome”  things? It’s not like soda is bad for children….