Does anyone know why you're not supposed to give honey to babies under 1 year? My husband admitted to feeding just a little bit of honey on a piece of bread to our 10 month old, this was several days ago and the baby seems fine... but it says right on the bottle of honey not to feed it to infants... does anyone know why not or what could happen?
2006-10-23 10:39:56 · 12 answers · asked by cartmansmom 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Warning! Honey is not for babies!
Although honey is a natural, healthy food that normally cannot support bacterial life, it's important to note that it can carry C. botulinum spores which may be harmful to the undeveloped immune systems of infants. The old practice of dipping pacifiers into honey to soothe crying babies should be aborted.
Infants up to one year of age should not be fed raw honey, as their immune systems are not yet developed enough to fend off this normally benign strain. Infection can cause a flaccid paralysis weakening the baby's muscles, causing a "floppy" baby. Other symptoms include constipation, lethargy, poor feeding, weak cry, droopy eyelids, expressionless face, drooling or swallowing difficulty, and occasionally, respiratory arrest. By the age of one year, most children develop enough to resist this normally benign strain of botulinum.
Infant botulism is rarely lethal, but is obviously easy to avoid in this instance. Although food manufacturers make extensive use of honey in their products, baby food manufacturers, as a rule, will not include honey in their foods recommended for those babies under one year of age.
It must also be pointed out that infant botulism is not exclusive to the ingestion of honey. The botulism spore can also be found in dust, soil and other uncooked foods that older children and adults are exposed to daily. The risk is minimal. Yet, it is an avoidable risk, and honey should not be fed to infants under the age of twelve months. Don't play the odds.
2006-10-23 10:42:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Feeding honey to your baby could be harmful if he or she is younger than 12 months of age. Honey could be the cause of a rare type of food poisoning called infant botulism--a serious, even deadly, illness. Honey is the food most commonly found to contain the bacteria causing botulism. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that honey should not be added to the food, water, or formula that is fed to infants younger than 12 months of age. This recommendation includes foods processed with honey.
2006-10-23 17:47:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Botulism.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-botulism/HQ00854
2006-10-23 17:50:21 · answer #3 · answered by cowgirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe there can be botulism in honey -that can possibly cause health issues for babies and also people with weakened immune systems, but I think its unlikely that anything is going to happen if it hasn't yet. Bottom line- It probably won't hurt this once, but you probably shouldn't do it again.
2006-10-23 17:52:33 · answer #4 · answered by Ella S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's NOT E. Coli. Honey carries trace amounts of botulism (a form of food poisoning that's antibiotic resistant) that adults can usually ward off due to our stronger immune function.
Babies, if given a dose of honey that carries that trace amount, can contract it, though, leading to serious illness.
Don't worry, though... If your baby hasn't shown any signs of illness for a couple of days, your child should be okay.
2006-10-23 17:53:02 · answer #5 · answered by <3 The Pest <3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Infant botulism.
A Google search for "honey babies" (or similar) will turn up no end of pages on this.
2006-10-23 17:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could be because of an allergy that may be caused (kinda like how you aren't supposed to give your 2 y.o. peanuts, because the allergy could kill him.). Also, the baby may choke on it if he had too much at once. If nothing has happened in these past days, nothing will, it has most likely passed through his system. HOWEVER, if something strange does start to occur, see a doctor!
Hope this helps!
Albinoman
2006-10-23 17:54:07 · answer #7 · answered by Albinoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is some sort of natural bacteria in Honey that a baby's immature digestive system is unable to handle. What happens, I don't know.
2006-10-23 17:44:05 · answer #8 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honey can carry botulism. that's why pregnant women and infants should not eat it. you could expose the fetus/baby to a really harmful bacteria
2006-10-23 17:43:49 · answer #9 · answered by dmariev97 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has been known to cause botulism in infants..........I dont think you should worry because he didnt feed the baby much....but dont make a habit of it.
2006-10-23 17:47:57 · answer #10 · answered by kndykisz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋