Honey is a natural substance produced by bees and popularly consumed by humans for health reasons. Aside from being useful as a remedy for asthma, cough, hay fever, stomach problems and diarrhea, honey is also delightful to the taste. Parents may want to allow their babies to experience new tastes, such as that of honey, but health experts warn that the proper time to introduce honey to young babies must be considered because serious side effects may occur when it is given too early.
When Can Babies Eat Honey?
Many cultures believe in the health benefits of honey and allow their babies to eat it early in their lives. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents not to give their babies raw or unpasteurized honey if they are younger than 12 months old. It should not be added to water, formula or food, including processed or baked goods. This also includes beverages, bread or cereals that may be sweetened with honey. This may be a conservative guideline but it is worth considering and discussing with your baby's doctor (pediatrician).
Why Is Honey Unsafe for Your Babies?
1. Why is honey unsafe for your babies?
The main reason for delaying the introduction of honey to a baby's diet is that it can cause infant botulism. This condition is caused by the ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores.This type of bacteria produces toxins inside the digestive tract and can lead to serious side effects. These include paralysis of the baby's muscles, which can also
“When breastfeeding is not exclusively practiced, infant formulas are generally used. The World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk that parents be fully informed about the health hazards of unnecessary or improper use of infant formula”(2).
Aside from restrictions of cold foods, some foods are considered dangerous if they are “wet-hot.” An example of wet-hot food is mango. These foods are wet-hot foods and will cause the baby to have allergies, eczema, and other skin problems (Guelfi, 2015).
NEVER give honey to a child less than 1 year old. Honey in very young children may cause infant botulism, which may be associated with SIDS
You might be wondering why you can’t receive the same benefits from formula and here’s why. It’s impossible for formula to compare to the complexity of breast milk. Your milk is custom-made just for your baby. Your body responds to pathogens that you are exposed to, and actually creates a substance in your milk to protect your baby from exposure. Pretty amazing huh? In one study, The National Institute of Environmental Sciences determined your baby will have a 20 percent less chance of dying in the first year of life if breastfed. Not only does breastfeeding protect your baby from developing illnesses in the early stages of life, but it will also help avoid diseases in the future. Breastfed babies are less likely to have diabetes, high cholesterol, and inflammatory bowel disease in their adult life. I know, as a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your children from harm. After all, it doesn’t matter how old they get, they’ll always be your babies.
Peanuts are one of the leading causes of allergic reactions in children. Peanuts may not be suitable for infants. Honey can also cause an allergic reaction. Children should not consume honey before their first birthday. Honey contains botulism, and the bacteria can damage an infant's digestive system. Many people are allergic to iodine. Shellfish and fish are common allergy foods. Many children are also allergic to milk, soy, eggs and
Today, the need for honey and honey products are at an all-time high. With such a
Babies between the ages of birth to 24 months have immune systems that are still developing, leaving them more susceptible to germs and bacteria. Bacteria that comes in contact with an older child or adult may not have the same impact that it will have on a baby, which is why it is extremely important that food safety be managed diligently.
Brit Amos begins talks about the loss of foods stating that “Commercial beehives pollinate over a third of {North} America’s crops and that web of nourishment encompasses everything from fruits like peaches, apples, cherries, strawberries and more, to nuts like California almonds, 90 percent of which are helped along by the honeybees” (Amos). Honey bees are much more famous for producing honey. However, most people do not know that “the benefits of honey go beyond its great taste” (“Health Benefits of Honey”). For example, “The 3 key health benefits of honey are related to the fact that: 1. Honey is nature's energy booster 2. Honey is a great immunity system builder 3. Honey is a natural remedy for many ailments” (“Health Benefits of Honey”). It is interesting to think that something as small and insignificant as the honey bee can provide us with so many basic needs.
I am always on the look out for a healthy sugar substitute. Especially since I have such a sweet tooth, yet I always seem to come back to the same one I have always use, raw honey.
Babies are not immune to the germs found on people for at least 6 weeks after birth. A sore throat or a runny nose is not dangerous for a grown up, but it can be fatal for a newborn baby. Therefore, respect the babies’ right and need for protection against the germs and health.
Is honey effective in reducing acute cough symptoms due to upper respiratory tract infections in
We know that formula supplementation that is not medically needed may change baby’s hunger drive, altering milk supply. This may lead to a decrease in milk supply and may cause difficulty with breastfeeding and the likelihood that a new mother will continue exclusively may be affected. Formula may pose risks to the baby as well, such as changing the natural stomach lining, increased risk of allergies, fussiness at breast, increased spitting-up, and the process of learning to breastfeed may be disrupted due to the change in suckle (Mori, Khanna, Pledge, & Nakayama,
In clinical practice, honey dressings are often used for the management of chronic wounds. National Institute for Clinical Excellence [NICE], (2016) provides a summary of evidence to suggest that there is little good quality evidence to suggest that honey, among other advanced antimicrobial dressings, is the best option for chronic wound management despite its frequent usage.
From the results, it is clear that all of the honeys had a large antimicrobial effect on the culture of E.coli, much more so than the other cultures of bacteria. Their effects on Straphylococcus aureus should also be noted. It is obvious that the clear honey had a negligible antimicrobial effect on all bacterium tested, excepting the E.coli colony. This was to be expected; however, as clear honey lacks the enzymes to create the non-peroxide antimicrobial effects, caused by methylglyoxal, which is present in manuka honey. Therefore as the varying types of honey were most effective on the E.coli culture, it was selected for the main experiment.
Food you cook at home is almost always more economical and healthier than prepared jars of baby food. Though the convenience and portability of the jars can't be overlooked. Either way, enjoy the process of introducing new foods to your baby. The expressions on their faces of sheer delight, disgust and surprise make the first few meals fun for