Feeding Your Baby Honey - Does Honey Pose a Danger to your Baby?

Why Babies Should Not Eat Honey - When is Honey Safe for your Baby?

A commonly asked question when it comes to foods for infants is about giving babies honey.  It is said that honey should never be given to a child under the age of 12 months old.   In fact,  The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that honey should not be added to food, water, or formula that is fed to infants younger than 12 months of age.  This technically, applies even to honey in baked or processed food goods. The AAP statement says "Raw or unpasteurized honey (Infants younger than 12 months should avoid all sources of honey)". AAP Pediatric Nutrition Handbook

However, there are many who feel that honey is really not a danger to infants. Honey has long been fed to babies well under the age of 12 months old. There are many cultures that continue to give babies honey almost from birth and incorporate it early into baby's diet. We have outlined a few facts about Honey and the possible risk to babies. While we may be overly conservative and caution against giving a baby under 12 months of age honey, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss this with your pediatrician.

Does Honey Contain Botulism?

Honey may contain botulism spores which can lead to botulism poisoning.  There are some areas of the country (United States) where the possible contamination of honey with botulism spores is higher due to the soil. Soil contains botulism spores/bacteria and the flora that bees use to feed on grows in that soil.  Also, disturbed soil containing the spores may directly settle upon hives for example - and thus the spores themselves could contaminate the honey as well.  Honey is mostly consumed in raw form and is typically not pasteurized, sterilized or radiated.  Even pasteurized honey can contain botulism spores and should be not be given to children under the age of 12 months.  (http://www.eatwelleatsafe.ca/pathogens/botulism.htm)

In adults, the amount of botulism spores ingested (if any) from honey is really quite negligible.  The intestines of an adult contain enough acids to counteract the production of toxins the botulism bacteria produce.  Once an infant reaches the age of 1yr or older, their intestines have a balance of acids that help destroy and fight off any toxins that the botulism bacteria produce.

Can My Baby Eat Baked Goods With Honey?

Botulism spores will NOT be destroyed during and under household cooking methods and temperatures. The botulism spores can only be killed by the high heat which can be obtained in a pressure canner. The toxin (that is produced in anaerobic conditions) can only be destroyed by boiling (OSU Botulism FAQs). So technically, honey is not safe for infants even in cooked form such as in baked foods like breads.

Are Corn Syrup and Molasses Safe for Baby Under age 12 months?

Corn syrup, and even molasses, may also contain these spores; these items are typically NOT processed and pasteurized either. If someone recommends corn syrup to alleviate constipation, try another method (See Infant Constipation article). While the incidence of botulism poisoning in infants via contaminated honey is very very rare, you should use your own judgment and comfort level when making the decision to introduce honey to your baby's diet.
 

Resources & Learning More:

Parent Watch

WebMD - Honey and the Nursing Mom

KellyMom - Can I Eat These Foods?

CDC Preventing Botulism

SueBee Honey FAQs

Food Safety from MSU

Dr. Greene and Infant Botulism

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