Infant Botulism: Why No Honey for Babies?

For the parents of infants, the world can look like an unimaginably dangerous place. Before you had children, everyday household items like extension cords, curtains and spoons seemed harmless-- but, for young children, almost anything can be a danger.

Honey is, unfortunately, no exception. Many natural-living families turn to honey as a healthy, sustainable, locally-available alternative to processed sugars and corn syrup. However, the parents of infants under 12 months of age need to keep this sweet treat well out of a baby's reach.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, honey naturally contains trace amounts of Clostridium botulinum, a form of bacteria that can cause botulism. These tiny spores are harmless to adults and children over 12 months of age, but they can cause life-threatening problems for infants and newborns.

Infant botulism is a rare form of food poisoning, but it can be extremely severe The potential consequences of infant botulism from honey include muscle weakness, paralysis, poor feeding, coma and death. While most babies with infant botulism will recover after months of intensive treatment, others will experience lifelong complications.

If you-- or someone else-- have given honey to your baby, look out for some of the early symptoms of infant botulism. A baby with infant botulism may appear lethargic or display difficulty breathing. Constipation is also a common early sign. If no symptoms appear within several days of contact, your baby was probably unharmed by the incident; however, you may want to mention the issue to his pediatrician. Rarely, botulism may incubate silently for as long as thirty days.

Beyond the risk of botulism, honey is also an inappropriate food choice for young children. Honey offers little or no nutritive value to infants. While moderate amounts of honey can be appropriate for older children, an infant derives no benefit from any sweetener. A baby under 6 months old should have a diet containing only breast milk; older infants can benefit from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Until a baby's first birthday, it is ideal to avoid all sweeteners.