I've heard that I shouldn't feed my baby honey. Is this true?
– Kathy
It's true that honey should not be fed to infants younger than 1 year old. Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. However, they can also contaminate certain foods — honey in particular. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and an overall decreased muscle tone (floppiness).
Parents can reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey into their baby's diet until after the first birthday. As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.
For more information, check out this article:
Infant Botulism
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
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