Risky Sweetness: The Dangers of Honey for Infants
According to the source, feeding an infant with honey is associated with serious risks, particularly regarding botulism. Doctors believe that children should not be given honey before their first birthday, as it may contain botulinum toxin. This toxin, even in small amounts, can cause botulism in infants—a disease that, while rare, is accompanied by severe symptoms ranging from constipation to general weakness and breathing difficulties. Furthermore, the effect of honey on a newborn can be unpredictable, which is why honey is also contraindicated for nursing mothers to minimize potential complications in the child.Supporting citation(s):"In the doctors' opinion, in brief, feeding children honey before their first birthday is not recommended, as it can lead to botulism. Moreover, honey is contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, since its impact on the newborn can be unpredictable. Inhalation of botulinum toxin can lead to the development of botulism—a relatively rare but serious disease in infants. Typically, the signs begin with constipation and may progress to general weakness and breathing difficulties." (source: link txt)