"When should we feed babies/toddlers honey?"That question was brought up during a dinner with my girlfriends and we were a bit divided about it. One said, "2 years old!" One said "No, 1 year old" Another one remarked, "My friend fed her child honey since infancy."
So, I checked the labels on some honey jars:
So why not for infants under the age of 12 months?
Because of the risk of infant botulism.
Infant botulism is a type of food poisoning that can result in death caused by the growth of a poisonous bacteria known as clostridium botulinum in the gastrointestinal tract of babies. Botulinum spores can be found:
1) Widely throughout nature2) Maple syrup
3) Corn syrup (commonly found in commercial infant formula!)
4) Dust
As it is so widespread, human beings have adapted to it and able to fend off small amounts of toxin.
However, infants do not have a matured digestive system and are susceptible to botulism poisoning. Parents are recommended to avoid it unless it is pasteurized (which makes it rare), as well as foods which may contain honey.
Symptoms of infant botulism:
1) Constipation
2) Muscle weakness - sign of nervous system damage
3) Infant cries weakly
4) Infant has difficulty feeding
5) Infant will have limp and floppy appearance
6) Infant will also look lethargic
More: What is Botulism?
How to protect my baby from Infant Botulism?
Honey and Infant Botulism- Fact Sheet on From Health Canada
However, one article I came across says otherwise:
Why Honey is a Healthy Food for Infants
Apparently, this article says that it is only heated honey which is dangerous. The high heat (over 96 degrees Fahrenheit) kills the live enzymes which is supposed to kill bacterial cells in the honey. The writer (Judie C. Snelson) then writes about the irony that parents allow babies to be vaccinated although vaccines contain known "carcinogenic substances, heavy metals, and have dangerous, predictable side effects". On top of that, cases of injury/death caused by vaccinations dwarfs cases of infant botulism caused by honey.
The benefits of honey are numerous:
1) Natural Sweetener
2) Energy Source
3) Aids weight loss
4) Improving athletic performance
5) Source of vitamins and minerals
6) Antibiotic and antifungal properties
7) Natural antiseptic
8) Aids skin care
More: Health Benefits of Honey
What do you think? Are there any honey brands you know of that is so safe even for infants? (Maybe some new direct-selling product?)
Personally, I prefer to just err on the side of caution and feed my child -when necessary- after the recommended age 1......or 2, to be even safer...
6 comments:
test 123
honey is still registered and processed into your body as glucose eventually and that is sugar in your body....unless honey is needed which I don't think it is, best not to give to your child.
I remember growing up and hearing my grandma say that they ate a lot of tasteless food which was good for you and she lived past 95 years old. Things like eggs, tofu, soya bean, beans, and as many things steamed as possible. When they did cook, they had to cook with animal lard which is fatty and that was when it was readily available.
Ya Anonymous, grandma is the wisest.
I don't think anyone can go wrong with minimal salt, sugar, oil, fat...etc.. although it has minimal taste too.
It's just that after being so accustomed to 'tasty' food through salt/oyster sauce/ketchup/other health hazards.. it's such a struggle to go back to good old plain, steamed food.
I don't think honey is necessary either. I only give it to my older child, mixed with lemon and warm water, when she has cough.
honey with water also good if child suffering from over heated body...my bidayuh friend's advice many years ago
as i know Honey can cured constipation too.
Found this in eHow.com
Drink a cup of warm water or herbal tea mixed with fresh lemon juice and honey every morning on an empty stomach to treat your constipation. You want to use about half a squeezed lemon and around three tablespoons of honey for each cup that you make.
Continue taking this honey and lemon juice natural remedy for at least a week. This natural laxative should have you regular again in no time, and then keep drinking it to help maintain your overall health for a lifetime.
Read more: How to Treat Constipation With Honey and Lemon Juice | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2079057_treat-constipation-honey-lemon-juice.html#ixzz0tNqvjWn2
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