I've heard that I shouldn't feed my baby honey. Is this true? –
Cait
Yes, babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. Clostridium
that cause infant
botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. They also can contaminate some
foods — honey, in particular.
Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak
cry, constipation, and
decreased muscle tone (floppiness).
Parents can help prevent infant botulism by not giving their baby honey or any
processed foods containing honey (like honey graham crackers) until after their child's
first birthday. Light and dark corn syrups might also contain botulism-causing bacteria,
but a link hasn't been proved. Check with your doctor before giving these syrups to
a baby.
As kids get older, they can have honey because their mature digestive
systems move the Clostridium bacteria spores through the body before
they can cause harm.
