Why can’t my baby eat honey – Parental-advisory babies-honey-botulism
Posted on May 6th, 2009 in Childcare, Toddler
Babies less than a year old shouldn’t be given honey since honey contains spores of harmful bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
This bacterium can cause infant botulism as the digestive tract lacks the protective mechanisms to prevent growth of the Clostridium botulium spores leading to production of botulism toxin. Since the baby’s digestive tract and immune system is not fully developed, honey borne illness, even though rare, can prove fatal.
Infant botulism is a type of food poisoning which can result in death. Even cooking or pasteurizing doesn’t kill these spores present in honey. The symptoms of infant botulism are constipation followed by muscle weakness, irritability, weak cry and loss of appetite, floppy appearance and lethargy and may exhibit nervous system damage. If you notice these symptoms in your baby, you must immediately contact your doctor.
However it is said that children older than 1 year can produce stomach acid and their digestive tract is stronger making them less susceptible to developing infant botulism. Honey doesn’t always contain spores but it is hard to tell which one has and which doesn’t.
It is otherwise also recommended that parents refrain from giving sweet diets to children when they are very young to prevent the development and addiction to sweets.
August 31st, 2009 12:42 am
I never ever post but this time I will,Thanks alot for the great blog.