I have a friend who just had her baby 3 weeks ago and she told me today that her mom told her to give her 3 week old Karo syrup and water at night to "relax her and get her to sleep through the night". I have a 6 month old and told her to NEVER do that, especially to a baby so young! The only time I've ever been told to use Karo is if the child is consitpated and even then I've been told to try juice diluted with water first. Her child was also 4 weeks premature. She insists it's ok because her mom said it was and that her mom did it with all her kids. Am I right to be concerned and how can I explain to her kindly that it is not good for her infant?
2006-10-03 12:39:11 · 11 answers · asked by d4cav_dragoons_wife84 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I personally have never heard of this either. I think that it is absurd!! A child needs nutrition, not Karo syrup to sleep through the night, especially if the baby is a preemie. Perhaps you could go with her to the baby's next appointment, and ask the doctor. Otherwise call your baby's doctor, and ask him. Let your friend know what your doc. said. You have the right to be concerned. This is not a matter to take lightly. I am sure that you would feel horrible if something were to happen to this child, so I would definitely step in and say something.
I also am a bit perplexed as to how Karo syrup helps a baby sleep through the night. I just don't know how that would work. Good luck to you, and to your friend, and congratulations on being astute enough to know that this is not good, and needs some intervention.
2006-10-03 13:01:20 · answer #1 · answered by rabika97 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my gosh. You're absolutely right to be concerned!
You might approach it from a nutritional standpoint to help her understand. Newborns are growing so fast, especially in terms of brain development. Karo syrup has *no* nutritional value. So any Karo you give a baby will take up space meant for breastmilk -- not even close to an ideal situation. And Karo contains corn, a common allergen. Especially since she had a preemie, she'll want to be careful with her baby's gut and stomach, because it really won't be ready to handle anything other than breastmilk for a while. Closer to 7 months than 5, I'd think, with her adjusted age.
2006-10-03 14:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by peregrine1123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to give it to a baby. An entire generation grew up on Karo and they seem to be just fine. I guess there could be some new allergy research or something to support your argument. I will say that Karo is not going to relax the child, it's basically all sugar.
2006-10-03 12:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feeding an infant Karo syrup (white Karo) is okay, it helped move the bowels of all three of my kiddos when they were constipated as infants. Just make sure to dilute the syrup with water...and it doesn't take much. But as far as using it to relax a baby to get it to sleep at night...is it working? Because it IS practically pure sugar. I wouldn't use it for those purposes. But to use for constipation problems...its okay.
Crystal, LPN
2006-10-03 13:08:48 · answer #4 · answered by Crystal M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your never supposed to give a infant Karo. Sounds to me like your friend has made up her mind. It's hard for someone who trusts their mom to go against her advice or to think that she might be wrong.
I do think you are right to be concerned but I don't think what you say will change her mind. Sorry.
2006-10-03 12:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by redeyedtreefrog 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, this is NOT a good idea!! NEVER give a newborn anything but breastmilk or formula unless directed by a doctor. You do not need to "relax" a newborn to sleep thru the night, especially when a baby that young NEEDS to feed every 2-3 hours!!! I don't care what her mother supposedly did, that is not a good idea! Tell her to ask her pediatrician if he would approve of such foolishness!
2006-10-03 12:47:38 · answer #6 · answered by suninmyskies 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
YOU can't but you might suggest to her-for the health and safety of her child, to ask her pediatrician. medicine and nutrition has come along way in the last 20 years and especially since her child was a preemie. You are sure that her mother has lots of experience but if for no other reason than to prove you wrong
2006-10-03 12:49:40 · answer #7 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She really, really needs to talk to her pediatrician! This is definitely not good for the baby!Remind her that when her Mom was bringing up children, car seats weren't even mandatory, and I seriously doubt your friend would let her baby travel without one. Our parents WERE wrong about some stuff!
2006-10-03 12:51:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is really not a good idea. If the baby is a premmie then she really needs to be careful about the care her baby recieves. She better call the doctor first and see what they say.
2006-10-03 13:08:49 · answer #9 · answered by Rosey55 D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No just like honey it has the bacteria Botuim in it. It is on the list of no nos for a couple of years with your babies life.
2006-10-03 13:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by steveangela1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋