Giving Honey to Toddlers

[bwallace23350]

My son is 18 months and a week old. I have read in places not to give raw honey to anyone under one and somewhere I also read not to give it to them under 2. When we eat food that calls for a syrup type stuff I have substituted in real maple syrup for honey. My question is does anyone have a definitive answer on this?

[iddee]

Honey is a raw food. Any raw food can contain botulism spores. Infants development an immunity to a certain amount of botulism during their first, and maybe longer, year. No raw food should be given to an infant before they develop this immunity.

[bwallace23350]

Honey is a raw food. Any raw food can contain botulism spores. Infants development an immunity to a certain amount of botulism during their first, and maybe longer, year. No raw food should be given to an infant before they develop this immunity.

When is this typically reached?

[BeeMaster2]

Usually by 2.

[bwallace23350]

Usually by 2.

Thanks. I will wait another 6 months.

[Michael Bush]

Most of the world through most of time has had feeding a newborn honey as a ritual with no one noticing any ill effects that were blamed on honey.  For centuries the standard "formula" for a baby when breast milk was not available was milk mixed with honey.  But yes, infants are more susceptible to botulism due to the lack of acidity in their gut while drinking nothing but milk.  The recommendation used to be not to feed them raw food until after six months.  They keep pushing it out with no research to back it up that I've been able to find.

[bwallace23350]

Most of the world through most of time has had feeding a newborn honey as a ritual with no one noticing any ill effects that were blamed on honey.  For centuries the standard "formula" for a baby when breast milk was not available was milk mixed with honey.  But yes, infants are more susceptible to botulism due to the lack of acidity in their gut while drinking nothing but milk.  The recommendation used to be not to feed them raw food until after six months.  They keep pushing it out with no research to back it up that I've been able to find.

That is interesting. Why would they do that? To be on the safe side I will probably wait until 2.

[Acebird]

They keep pushing it out with no research to back it up that I've been able to find.

It is kinda hard to do research using children in the study because it is illegal unless the child has a terminal illness.  Surely each child will be different.  I would suggest that those that are breast fed will get the immunity sooner.  I would guess that botulism does happen in some children without knowing the source.  I would not be in a hurry to give my children honey because of the rotting of the developing teeth.

[bwallace23350]

They keep pushing it out with no research to back it up that I've been able to find.

It is kinda hard to do research using children in the study because it is illegal unless the child has a terminal illness.  Surely each child will be different.  I would suggest that those that are breast fed will get the immunity sooner.  I would guess that botulism does happen in some children without knowing the source.  I would not be in a hurry to give my children honey because of the rotting of the developing teeth.

It would be his only source of added sugar and we brush his teeth. Maple syrup is just expensive

[Acebird]

A good habit to get into is drink plain water or rinse your mouth out after you have something sugar to get rid of the acid that decays teeth.

[bwallace23350]

Thanks. I might do that for myself also.

[BeeMaster2]

Keep in mind when you place raw honey in your mouth, it kills the bacteria, when you place sugar in your mouth, you feed the bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Jim

[Hops Brewster]

When my eldest child was an infant, there were no worries about giving honey to babies.  People did it all the time.  So did I with no ill effects.
Fast forward to the youngest 6 years later.... "Never give honey to a baby under 1 year old.  After that it's ok" was the pediatrician's advice.  Ok, no problem.  She got honey on some toast for her 1st birthday breakfast.   26 years later, she's still alive.

Of course, living dangerously is in my genes.  I rode my bike without a helmet and went all day without using hand sanitizer. 

[gww]

hops

Of course, living dangerously is in my genes.  I rode my bike without a helmet and went all day without using hand sanitizer.

X2
gww

[bwallace23350]

When my eldest child was an infant, there were no worries about giving honey to babies.  People did it all the time.  So did I with no ill effects.
Fast forward to the youngest 6 years later.... "Never give honey to a baby under 1 year old.  After that it's ok" was the pediatrician's advice.  Ok, no problem.  She got honey on some toast for her 1st birthday breakfast.   26 years later, she's still alive.

Of course, living dangerously is in my genes.  I rode my bike without a helmet and went all day without using hand sanitizer. 

As did I but when it comes to him I am just trying to make sure because I have a crazy ex wife who is already violating a court order that is less than 6 months old. Can't be to careful with crazy ex wives.

[bwallace23350]

I don't really think she is crazy. I am just saying crazy ex wife as in the way all people call their ex's crazy. In a joking kinda way. I think she is a competent mother and that is all that matters now.

[Acebird]

Can't be to careful with crazy ex wives.

You only have one?  Maybe you are still young and foolish.

[Dallasbeek]

One is enough for most men.

[bwallace23350]

Can't be to careful with crazy ex wives.

You only have one?  Maybe you are still young and foolish.

I will never marry again.

[Hops Brewster]

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I did play a Cavalry officer in a Jr. High play...
If you want latest medical advice, ask the pediatrician.  Their recommendations change all the time. 
As far as dealing with the ex, better safe than sorry.  But I'm not a lawyer, either.

I hope the kid gets to have some honey before he develops a bunch of allergies....  just sayin'...