I am a doctor and parents, you need to stop feeding your babies honey right now
A doctor has revealed a seemingly ‘harmless’ food that can be fatal to babies – and how consuming less than a spoonful of it can cause paralysis, nerve damage and even death.
Honey is fatal for children under one year of age as it can cause diabetes infant botulism – a serious disease caused by the bacterium clostridium botulinum.
It is caused by spores that normally live in a dormant form in soil and dust, but can occasionally find their way into honey.
If the spores enter a baby’s intestines, they can grow and produce a toxin that causes infant botulism, the symptoms of which are muscle weakness, breathing problems and constipation.
Dr. Sam from Singapore shared the heartbreaking story of a two-month-old baby who developed medical problems seemingly overnight, despite being exclusively breastfed.
A doctor has revealed a seemingly ‘harmless’ food that is fatal to babies – and how consuming less than a spoonful of it can cause paralysis, nerve damage and even death
The baby suddenly stopped drinking milk and went completely limp when he held it up.
Doctors noted poor muscle tone and the baby was admitted to hospital, but soon developed seizures, respiratory infections and breathing difficulties.
Dr. Sam explained: ‘The medical team carried out a wide range of tests but could not find the underlying problem: the baby was transferred to intensive care and doctors began discussing end-of-life care with the parents.
‘All seemed lost – until they tested his stool and found clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces a toxin that paralyzes muscles.’
The doctor revealed that both raw and processed honey contain the bacteria
Further investigation revealed that the parents had dipped the baby’s pacifier in honey to make it more attractive.
Honey is safe for children over one year old, but a younger baby’s intestines are not developed enough to fight the bacteria.
‘The spores entered the baby’s intestines and reproduced, causing extensive damage and ultimately resulting in infant botulism,’ said Dr Sam. ‘Thankfully the baby was treated and released after a month in hospital.’
The doctor also revealed that both raw and processed honey contained the bacteria. Therefore, honey is accompanied by a warning not to give it to babies under one year of age.
Many thanked Dr. Sam for his health advice and for preventing them from making a deadly mistake.
“Thanks for your knowledge, I hope it helps other parents,” one woman said.
“My doctor specifically said not to give my child honey until he was two years old,” wrote another.
“How terrifying – thankfully everything turned out fine with the baby,” said a third.