why is honey bad for babies but not adults

Most parents may have heard of infant. Honey can contain the bacteria that causes infant botulism so do not feed honey to children younger than 12 months.

Lemon For Babies Benefits Age To Introduce Precautions

In addition to its use as a natural sweetener honey is used as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant and antibacterial agent.

. So while adults and children can handle small amounts of exposure it is not the case with babies. For reasons we do not understand some infants get botulism when the spores get into their digestive tracts grow and produce the toxin. This includes hard cheeses such as mild cheddar cheese cottage cheese and cream cheese.

To protect your baby from infant botulism avoid exposure. Raw honey is a potential source of botulism spores according to the National Institutes of Health. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a babys intestines producing a dangerous toxin.

The condition can occur in infants up to age 12 months. Infant botulism should be considered in cases of acute. Infant botulism - why honey should be avoided for children up to one year Infant botulism means that Clostridium botulinum colonize and produce toxin in the infant gut usually during the first year of life.

Illness severity varies widely and the incidence may be under-estimated. Babies and young children should not eat mould-ripened soft cheeses such as brie or camembert or ripened goats milk cheese and soft blue-veined cheese such as roquefort. Honey is safe for people 1 year of age and older.

Honey can contain bacteria spores which in a babys immature digestive system may germinate and lead to infant botulism a very rare but potentially fatal illness. If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming raw honey you should contact your health care provider. If honey is so good for us then why are we all warned not to feed honey to babies under 1 year old.

Symptoms of food poisoning from botulism include stomach cramps diarrhea nausea vomiting and fever. Honey for Toddlers A Word of Caution. Infant botulism is a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum C.

Poor appetite feeble cry reduced muscle tone constipation and. Honey contains mostly sugar as well as a mix of amino acids vitamins minerals iron zinc and antioxidants. People commonly use honey orally to treat coughs and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing.

Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old. Since honey is not typically pasteurized babies should not eat honey. Honey is not a regulated food and does not follow any set standards.

Why Can T Babies Age 0 12 Months Eat Raw Honey The West Indian Honey Company