Can I Feed My Baby Honey?
Can I Feed My Baby Honey?
It's true that honey should not be fed to infants younger than 1 year old.
Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. However, they can also contaminate certain foods — honey in particular. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and an overall decreased muscle tone (floppiness).
It's true that honey should not be fed to infants younger than 1 year old.
Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. However, they can also contaminate certain foods — honey in particular. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and an overall decreased muscle tone (floppiness).
Parents can reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing
honey or any processed foods containing honey (like honey graham
crackers) into their baby's diet until after the first birthday.
Light
and dark corn syrups are thought by some to also contain
botulism-causing bacteria, but no proven cases of infant botulism have
been attributed to ingesting these products. However, check with your
doctor before giving these syrups to an infant.
As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.
Excerpts from: http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/feeding/honey_botulism.html
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2013
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