Can I give my baby Honey?
Honey in India is not just food but considered divine. It is used in many medicines, especially ayurvedic. During festivals and even regular pooja, it is included in teertha and prasad. It is also used for abhishekam for gods & goddesses. Maybe these are the reasons why we Indians do not hesitate to offer Honey to a baby. Honey can leave serious implications in a baby which can even be fatal and hence please read this article fully to understand it better.
Honey is a great natural sweetener, rich in antioxidants, and has great medicinal healing properties. However, it is not recommended for babies below a year. Be it mass-produced honey or local honey, raw honey or pasteurized honey, organic honey, or any type, it must never be given to them. Foods cooked or baked with honey should also be completely avoided.
Check the below useful links from our blog
- Food Poisoning in Babies and Kids | Reason, Symptoms and Prevention
- Why no Salt or Sugar for babies till 1 year?
- 10 Activities for Babies – 6 to 12 Months
- Can I use Pacifier for Baby? Are artificial nipples or soothers good?
Why should you not offer Honey to babies below a year?
Honey may occasionally consist of spores of bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. Spores are reproductive cells capable of redeveloping and multiplying on their own. These spores can turn into bacteria in the bowels and produce harmful neurotoxins into the body. This condition can cause Infant Botulism. Our digestive systems are mature and our immunity is better than children, hence it doesn’t cause an issue in adults.
Effects of Infant Botulism
Infant Botulism is an illness that produces toxins and can lead to skeletal muscle paralysis. This majorly affects the nerve function in babies and causes weakness.
Symptoms of Infant Botulism
Studies say that it affects 70% of babies with a record of around 2% death rate. The symptoms could be
1. Weakness
2. Constipation
3. Difficulty in feeding
4. Droopy eyelids
5. Weak cry
6. Trouble in breathing
7. Loss of head control
8. Bilateral Facial Weakness
9. Paralysis spreading downward
10. Seizures
The symptoms can show up within 12-36 hours and sometimes later too. Please ensure to inform the doctor about honey intake so that there are a fair diagnosis and proper treatment. An incorrect diagnosis may prove fatal, as the symptoms are similar to sepsis and a few other illnesses.
Treatment
Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous (BIGIV) antitoxin injection is administered for faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. During recovery, it is advised to take care of proper nutrition, monitor breathing, and keeping the airway clearer.
Be it as a medication for cough, teething, on anna prashana or namakarana …. Kindly take charge and do not offer honey to your child.
Video: Can I give my baby Honey?
- Video in Hindi – शिशुओंको शहद क्यों नहीं देना चाहिए?
- Video in Kannada – ಶಿಶುಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೇನುತುಪ್ಪ ಏಕೆ ಕೊಡಬಾರದು?
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