Why Babies Should Not Eat Honey - When is Honey Safe for your Baby?

A commonly asked question when it comes to foods for infants is about giving babies honey. Honey should never be given to a child under the age of 12 months old.

In fact, The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that honey should not be added to food, water, or formula that is fed to infants younger than 12 months of age. This technically, applies even to honey in baked or processed food goods. The AAP statement says "Raw or unpasteurized honey (Infants younger than 12 months should avoid all sources of honey)". AAP Pediatric Nutrition Handbook

There are many who feel that honey is really not a danger to babies because in one form or another, honey has been given to babies well under the age of 12 months old. There are many cultures that continue to give babies honey almost from birth and incorporate it early into baby's diet. We have outlined a few facts about Honey and the possible risk to babies. While we may be overly conservative and caution against giving a baby under 12 months of age honey, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss this with your pediatrician.

Does Honey Contain Botulism?

Honey may contain botulism spores which can lead to botulism poisoning. There are some areas of the country (United States) where the possible contamination of honey with botulism spores is higher due to the soil. Soil contains botulism spores/bacteria and the flora that bees use to feed on grows in that soil. Also, disturbed soil containing the spores may directly settle upon hives for example - and thus the spores themselves could contaminate the honey as well. Honey is mostly consumed in raw form and is typically not pasteurized, sterilized or radiated. Even pasteurized honey can contain botulism spores and should be not be given to children under the age of 12 months.(http://www.eatwelleatsafe.ca/pathogens/botulism.htm)

Adults can handle a small amount of botulinium spores easier than babies.

In adults, the amount of botulism spores ingested (if any) from honey is really quite negligible because we have mature intestines. The intestines of an adult contain enough acids to counteract the production of toxins the botulism bacteria produce. Once an infant reaches the age of 1 year or older, their intestines have a balance of acids that help destroy and fight off any toxins that the botulism bacteria produce.

Can My Baby Eat Baked Goods With Honey?

The botulism spores can only be killed by the high heat which can be obtained in a pressure canner. The toxin (that is produced in anaerobic conditions) can only be destroyed by boiling. So technically, honey is not safe for infants even in cooked form such as in baked foods like breads. Botulism spores will NOT be destroyed during and under household cooking methods and temperatures.

Are Corn Syrup and Molasses Safe for Baby Under age 12 months?

Corn syrup, and even molasses, may also contain these spores; these items are typically NOT processed and pasteurized either. If someone recommends corn syrup to alleviate constipation, try another method. While the incidence of botulism poisoning in infants via contaminated honey is very very rare, you should use your own judgment and comfort level when making the decision to introduce honey to your baby's diet.

Is Maple Syrup Safe for Baby Under age 12 months?

Maple syrup comes directly from inside the maple tree. It is the sap of the maple tree that creates maple syrup and contamination with botulinium is almost impossible. The method of making syrup from the maple sap involves intense boiling, for prolonged periods of time. The spores are not known to thrive under these boiling conditions. In fact, boiling is one of the ways that botulism spores are killed. The risk of botulism from maple syrup is virtually non-existent and maple syrup is considered safe. However, there are some pediatricians who will say that maple syrup is not good for those under 1 year of age; please be sure to ask your pediatrician about offering your baby maple syrup!

Vasilissa Greek Exceptional Honey

Stayia Farm  is a small family bio farm on Evia island that was founded in 2012 but is keeping a huge tradition that is passing from generation to generation since the early 50’s.

The heart of Stayia are experienced beekeepers that are constantly working with nature and the bees that allows them to gather unique honeys, with very particular flavor profiles for a variety of excellent customers who generally have a fine appreciation for good eating.

Everyone that is working for Stayia is a foodie. So, producing and marketing raw, wild-crafted Gourmet Honey is a natural fit.
Honey is like fine wine for them which means that every season there will be flavor, texture, and color differences as every year the various honeys have different characteristics and flavor notes depending on the rain patterns, amount of heat and sunlight, and other natural factors.

Stayia’s concept is founded on the idea of providing selection, quality and freshness, all at excellent value.
Every single bio organically certified by BioHellas product is free from any chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides or any other forms of suicides.

Excellence at its best.

Vasilissa Thyme Honey Benefits

It is logical that honey is healthy. It is pure and natural, contains enzymes and inhibits bacteria in some circumstances. However, thyme honey is special because of it’s powerful antioxdant properties. The type of antioxidants found in thyme honey have been labelled “defensive antioxidants” by the father of New Zealand honey research, Prof. Peter Nolan.  These antioxidants can bind damaging oxidants that form, stopping them turning to free radicals and causing cell damage. Professor Nolans’ research has suggested that some of the highest rating food for supplying defensive antioxidants is thyme honey.

A Greek study that was published in the peer-reviewed journal “Food Chemistry” (vol 116 issue 3) found that thyme reduced the viability of Ishikawa (endometrial) cancer cells and PC-3 (prostate) cancer cells in vitro. The authors suggest that a diet enriched with thyme honey “may prevent cancer-related processes in breast, prostate and endometrial cancer cells” (Tsiapara, Jaakkola, Chinou et al Food Chemistry 116.3 2009).

Wildpure Certified Organic thyme honey is extracted from the honey frames at temperatures less than 37ºC (less than 99ºF). This is in line with the organic standard. The reason for this low temperature during honey extraction is to keep alive all the naturally occurring enzymes in the honey. This ensures we have truly raw and natural honey. Honey that has been heated above 45ºC (113ºF) rapidly starts to become degraded, as the enzymes become denatured and other chemical reactions cause the production of toxins (HMF). That is why it is important to source “raw”    honey that preserves the health giving properties of that particular honey type. 

Vasilissa Wild Forest Honey

The Wild Forest honey has exceptionally high nutritional value. The trace elements that exist in this honey, metals and minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, etc.) are mainly due to the high concentrations in Greek pine trees. Its unique health advantage is an excellent treatment for throat infections.Wild Forest honey is harder to crystallize owing to its rich minerals, proteins, amino acids while it has fewer calories. Scientific research has shown that its trace elements help positively to colds.

Stayia Farm Honeycomb

Stayia Farm Honeycomb 

is a true delicacy of nature. The hexagonal cells that create the comb are made by bees from beeswax. 550 bees have to visit 2 million flower blossoms to create 1 pound of honey, and then must consume 6 pounds of honey to generate 1 pound of beeswax. Beeswax is an amazing substance that is entirely edible and contains a variety of healing and allergy-soothing properties. Into each beeswax cell, bees deposit the flower nectar they have gathered from thousands of flowers. The bees then stand over the cell and fan their wings to evaporate the water from the nectar, leaving behind a rich, syrupy, golden substance that we know as honey. The cell is capped with a thin layer of beeswax and reserved as food supply for the colony. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING HONEYCOMB

Honeycombs are hexagonal wax cells built by honey bees within their nests to contain their larvae and stores of honey and pollen. Typically, beekeepers remove the entire honeycomb to harvest the raw honey and then replace it because it takes time and energy for bees to construct them. Fresh, new honeycomb is sometimes sold intact to eat. The benefits from eating honeycomb are related to the honey and bee pollen, much more so than the bees wax. If you are allergic to bee stings or bee products, then you should be very cautious with honeycomb and consult with your doctor.

Benefits of Honey

Honey acts as an antimicrobial agent because it contains an enzyme that produces small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which is deadly to mainly pathogenic microorganism, according to “Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition." As such, honey can relieve some forms of gastritis and may be able to combat stomach ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori. Raw honey also acts a strong antioxidant, which scavenge harmful free-radicals linked to tissue damage, aging and even cancer. According to “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” darker colored honeys are usually stronger antioxidants than lighter types. Honey is also a good, readily absorbed source of glucose and a spoonful or two can be useful for diabetics who are hypoglycemic.

Benefits of Bee Pollen

Bee pollen consists of pollen from a variety of plant species mixed with plant nectar and saliva from worker bees. Pollen, nectar and saliva collect on the legs of bees as they pollinated flowers, which is then collected by devices near the opening of bee hives. Despite not sounding too appetizing, bee pollen is packed full of nutrition and many consider it a “super-food.” According to “Biochemistry of Human Nutrition,” bee pollen contains about 35 percent complete protein, numerous fatty acids, soluble fiber, high concentrations of B-complex vitamins and many digestive enzymes. Bee pollen is consumed to boost energy, aid digestion and to help reduce the symptoms of hay-fever caused by air-born allergens, although very little scientific research has examined its affect on people. Bee pollen also contains propolis, a resin from plants that retards the growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses.

Bee Larvae

Bee larvae are developing bees and sometimes they do not live to become part of the hive. Consequently, honeycomb may contain undeveloped larvae or parts of bees, such as legs or wings, mixed with the honey and pollen, according to “Contemporary Nutrition." Parts of bees certainly add to the protein content of eating honeycomb or raw honey, although it may not be pleasant to think about. Most beekeepers who sell honeycomb are careful to remove any obvious remnants of bee larvae. If you are allergic to bee stings, consuming honeycomb may cause a negative reaction in you, although bee pollen naturally reduces histamine production and may provide some protection.

Bees Wax

The major component of honeycomb is bees wax, which is used as structural support. Bees wax has no nutritional content and widely believed to be inert, but some nutritional experts contend that it may display mild anti-inflammatory properties, as cited in “Nutritional Sciences." Regardless, eating large amounts of waxy material may slow digestion and lead to constipation, so its best to start with small amounts and notice how your body responds to it.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC HONEY?

Winnie the Pooh may have been trying to teach a lesson when he wanted honey every time he got a "rumbly in his tumbly." From weight loss to skin clearing to pain relief, the benefits of honey are vast. When harvested organically, it becomes a healthy, medicinal treat that surpasses in taste any doctor-ordered prescription.

ORGANIC VS. NON-ORGANIC

Organic honey production involves stringent guidelines to protect the honey from contamination by pesticides and antibiotics. Not only do these antibiotics and pesticides alter the taste of pure honey, but they also are believed to cause cancer and aplastic anemia when consumed n large doses by humans. Other than these facts, organic and non-organic honey are equal in beneficial properties.

WORKOUT SUPPLEMENT

Chocked full of carbohydrates--17g per tablespoon--honey can provide a sustaining energy source for your workout. According to the National Honey Board, if you consume pure honey prior to a workout, it will get absorbed in your system and provide you with energy throughout the exercise. Adding it to the water bottle that you use during the activity will delay fatigue. Combine it with protein within 30 minutes after your workout and you will maintain comfortable blood sugar levels, decrease delayed onset muscle soreness, and replenish glycogen stores that were depleted during exercise.

SKIN AID

Honey is found in many store-bought beauty products and it can be added to the ones you have at home. As a humectant, it moisturizes the skin to keep it soft and smooth. Mixing honey with milk enhances products' antimicrobial and cleansing benefits. It leaves the skin glowing and may even improve acne when mixed with cinnamon to form a paste. It may be topically applied on a regular basis.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

According to Organic Facts, mixing honey with ginger may reduce respiratory problems, asthma and indigestion. Alone and with other mixtures, honey has been credited with relieving cough and sore throat, aiding sleep, boosting the immune system and treating stomach ulcers, bladder infections and arthritis. Applied topically it can decrease burns, heal infections, relieve toothaches and improve eczema. It is also a safe sweetener choice for diabetics.

WEIGHT LOSS

The Global Healing Center website reports that mixing honey with lemon can help melt away fat. Because it is cholesterol-free, you do not have to worry about it elevating your cholesterol levels. Mixing it with milk for a morning drink will boost your stamina to give you the energy you need to get more work accomplished, thereby burning more calories.