It may seem harmless because it is a natural product, but it is on the list of prohibited foods for infants.
Do not add a teaspoon to porridge, yogurt or fruit, or tempt to put it on the pacifier or give it a little to relieve cough honey is dangerous for babies under one year old.
Why is it dangerous? The American Pediatric Association and the National Institute of Health in the US recommend Do not give honey or cane or its derivatives due to the risk of botulism, a disease of low prevalence, but potentially fatal. In that country there are 110 cases a year, some related to the consumption of honey before the first year of life.
In Babies and more23 prohibited foods for babies and children according to their ageHoney can contain spores from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum that reach the baby's intestine and release a toxin that paralyzes the muscles.
Botulism occurs mainly in small babies between 6 weeks and 6 months of age, so it is recommended not to offer honey until the year of life.In older children and adults it is harmless because we contain microorganisms that prevent it, but in the immature gut of the baby the opportunistic bacteria can lodge and trigger the disease.
The symptoms of botulism are droopy eyelids, difficulty in sucking and swallowing, muscle weakness, constipation, weak crying and poor muscle tone and difficulty breathing.
In addition to the risk of botulism, honey is a food with high sugar content It is not healthy for a baby and predisposes to the appearance of caries and long-term obesity.
And what about cereals with honey?
There are cereals with honey indicated for babies from six months. How is it possible if honey is not allowed in children under one year?
In the case of prepared cereals containing honey, they are treated at high temperatures and therefore the spores potentially causing botulism are destroyed, but it is not an essential food either, so for greater safety you can wait for the baby to reach the year to offer them.
