why no honey for less then one year olds?

Answer 1

Because their stomachs lack the enzyme needed to break it down and digest it.

Answer 2

The general warning is that you should not feed honey to infants under twelve months of age. It should be fine for a two year old, and I have heard of using a daily teaspoon of raw honey as a treatment for allergies. It has something to do with the pollen and other substances in the raw honey helping the patient to build up some immunity to whatever they are allergic to, but you would think that it would trigger their allergies and make them worse until that happens. If not, then great, maybe give it a try.

Honey is also being used as a wound dressing in Australia because of its antimicrobial properties, sometimes working better than topical antibiotics against difficult to treat bacteria.

For a child under twelve months of age, there is a risk of botulism from eating honey and it should be avoided. The spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria can be found in honey, and when ingested by an infant, the spores can release a toxin that causes botulism.


Infant Botulism
According to the CDC, infants with botulism 'appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone,' which may 'progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles.'
Although parents often know not to give their infants under twelve months of age plain honey, they often overlook other foods that contain honey in them, such as Honey Graham Crackers, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Wheat Bread, etc. Although the honey in these foods may be processed, it may not be pasteurized, and so may still contain botulism spores in them and should be avoided. If you feel strongly about giving these foods to your infant, call the manufacturer to make sure that they are safe.

Answer 3

Babies under a year of age are not to be fed RAW honey, definitely. (Raw honey is defined as honey that has not been cooked.) Raw honey is believed to be a risk for infant botulism, which is a rare but very serious disease which causes severe muscle weakness including the inability to cry or suck, a floppy neck, constipation, and rarely death. This disorder has never been reported in a baby over a year of age. Many of the babies who developed this disorder had never even been fed honey, by the way, but botulinum spores have been found in honey, so it's important to avoid this possible source. Other cases may have been caused by spores in other foods or in soil, or some as yet unrecognized source. Babies are thought to be at greater risk from these spores because their gastrointestinal tracts have lower acidity, which can allow the spores to survive and grow. There may be other factors involving their immune system that contribute to their risk, as well. There is speculation recently that as many as five to ten percent of so-called SIDS deaths may have been undetected infant botulism!

Some sources say that cooked honey is safe for babies under a year of age. We know that boiling for ten minutes kills the spores and inactivates any toxin that has been produced. These spores are rather heat resistant, though, and baking does not produce such high temperatures for a full ten minutes. Many sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, simply say that babies under a year of age should not be fed honey "in any form," and this seems like the safest course of action.

Answer 4

Because honey can cause a fatal form of botulism (food poisoning) in children under 1 year. When they get older they will be able to digest honey.

Answer 5

One thing, however, is clear: never allow a baby to eat honey. Why? Because for babies less than a year old it may contain poison in the form of botulism-causing bacteria.

Answer 6

It's a botulism risk.

Apparently older kids (and adults) develop the ability to digest honey without any risks, but for the first year of life a child's digestive system still isn't fully developed and capable of processing the little traces of botulism

Answer 7

This is why....
from pregnancyandbaby.com "honey should not be given to babies in any form (including raw, cooked or baked into products). Honey is bad for babies because it can grow botulinum spores, which can secrete a toxin and produce a transient paralysis in young infants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that botulism is a rare but serious foodborne disease. When infants eat contaminated food, the botulinum bacterium spores grow in the intestines and release toxin. Treatment for infants requires hospitalization and possibly care in an intensive care unit. Antitoxin is not recommended for infants. "

Answer 8

Botulism. Honey can contain botulism spores in an amount that can be fatal to infants. Do a google search on botulism and honey. It's not a minor problem ... don't give *any* honey to infants.

Answer 9

Here in the East,we give a child honey mixed in water on the day they are born,after mother's milk.It is a popular beleif that whoever feeds this water,his or her traits,likings,dislikings comes into the baby.So usually father or mother would feed this.or if parents agree on any third person.

Never ever have any allergies or anything reported!

Answer 10

since honey is absorbed straight through the walls of the stomach it can't be digestive concerns so it has to be botulism

Answer 11

Because bee's polinate from so many different flowers etc., these things are present in honey and could cause a severe allergic reaction in your child and sadly you may not be able to figure which thing they are allergic to.