When you become a new mother , we all try to give our baby the best, right? We are especially careful about food and drink. You may have heard that giving honey as a natural substitute for sugar is very good. But did you know that giving even a little bit of honey to your baby before he is one year old is very dangerous ? Yes, it is true. Even if you put it in a cake or bake it, it is not good. Today we will talk about why that is and what is the best age to give honey to a baby.
Why is honey dangerous for babies under one year old?
Simply put, honey can sometimes contain spores of a very dangerous bacteria. This bacteria is called `(Clostridium botulinum)`. These spores do not pose a big problem if they enter the body of an adult like us. Because the defense mechanisms in our digestive system destroy them.
But the digestive system of a small baby, especially a baby under one year old, is not yet fully developed. So if these bacterial spores are ingested with honey, those spores can grow and germinate in the baby's intestines, and begin to produce a dangerous toxin. The serious condition caused by this toxin is called ``Infant Botulism.'' This is a severe form of food poisoning.
Just think, even though honey is a natural product, these tiny, invisible spores in it can be like a dangerous bomb inside an undeveloped baby's body. That's why doctors strongly advise against giving honey to babies under one year old.
This condition is most common in babies under 6 months of age. Therefore, do not give your baby anything containing honey, such as biscuits, cakes, or yogurt, until he is one year old.
If you suspect your baby has botulism, what symptoms should you look for?
This is very important because recognizing these symptoms early can save your baby from a serious condition. Sometimes these symptoms can be very subtle, but if you look closely, you will be able to recognize them.
If your baby has one or more of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately or take him to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Weakness or limpness (Floppiness) | The baby's body and limbs feel limp and lifeless. Like a rag doll. He can't control his head properly. |
| Decreased or difficult breastfeeding | The ability to suckle milk decreases. The baby does not drink milk as usual. He/she stops or stops while drinking. |
| Constipation | This is often the first sign to be seen. The baby may go for days without having a bowel movement. |
| Loss of facial emotion | The baby is smiling, surprised, and keeps his face the same way, without crying. |
| A weak cry | The baby's crying sound is much fainter and weaker than usual. |
| Something stuck in the throat (Reduced gag reflex) | It becomes difficult to swallow food, and saliva comes out of the mouth without being swallowed. |
So is honey really healthier than sugar?
This is a question that many people have. We think that honey is better than sugar because it is natural. In fact, honey contains very small amounts of the following:
But... to benefit from these nutrients, we would have to eat an unhealthy amount of honey. After all, honey is also a type of sugar. It's called "added sugar." These are different from the sugars that naturally occur in things like fruit and milk.
Major health organizations around the world, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that children under the age of 2 not be given any added sugar. That means things like honey, sugar, and jaggery. Excessive intake of these increases the risk of diseases like ``Insulin Resistance``, ``Prediabetes``, and `` Type 2 Diabetes`` in the future.
After your child turns 2, it's best to limit added sugar to no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day. So, within that limit, it's okay to use honey instead of sugar.
So is honey of no use? (For those over the age of one)
There are definitely benefits, but only for children over one year old and adults .
Good relief from cough
This is one of the main and proven benefits of honey. A study conducted on 105 children between the ages of 2 and 18 years showed that honey was more effective than some over-the-counter cough syrups for nighttime coughs caused by upper respiratory tract infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even recommend honey as a natural cough reliever.
Wound healing
Honey's anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to help heal some wounds and burns. However, more research is needed to recommend this as a medical treatment. So, don't apply honey to a large wound without medical advice.
Let's learn a little about the types of honey.
There are over 300 types of honey in the world. You can buy "raw honey" or "pasteurized" honey. Unlike other raw foods, raw honey is safe for children over one year old and adults to eat. Raw honey is considered the least processed type, so it has the highest nutritional value.
- Buckwheat honey: This is a dark-colored, pungent-tasting type of honey. This is the type used in the cough relief research mentioned above.
- Manuka Honey: Made from the Manuka bush in New Zealand, this honey has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is also used to treat burns, cuts, and wounds.
Take-Home Message
- Never give honey (cooked or raw) to a baby under one year of age, even for one reason or another. This is because honey can contain bacterial spores that can cause infant botulism, a serious illness.
- If your baby under one year old accidentally eats honey and shows symptoms such as lethargy, constipation, or difficulty feeding, see your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- For children over two years of age, honey can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. It is a great natural remedy, especially for nighttime coughs.
- Always remember that honey is a type of "added sugar." Limit the amount given to children.
- If you have any doubts about this, please consult your family doctor at any time.
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