Honey is a delicious treat for everyone, and it is an excellent replacement for sugar. But is it safe to eat honey when you are nursing? You might wonder this often as newborns are not allowed to have honey until they get to one year old. So, such a concern is definitely legit.
It is not safe to give your baby honey in the first year of life because it can cause infant botulism. Honey contains the Clostridium botulinum, which is the toxin that can cause botulism in infants younger than one-year-old. However, as a nursing mom, can you eat honey while breastfeeding? Read on.
At such a young age, babies don't have a high enough acidity level in their digestive system to control this toxin. But once they develop enough, they will be able to digest it without any risks.
Can you eat honey while breastfeeding?
The good news is that you can eat honey as a breastfeeding mother.
You don't take the risk of developing botulism, and if the honey you consume does come with this toxin, your body has all it takes to break it down, so it will not get in the breastmilk.
Even so, you should pay attention to your honey consumption just to make sure there are no risks for your baby!
A) Go for Organic Honey When Breastfeeding
Consume organic honey as it is safer and most pure.
- Organic honey might be pricier than processed honey, but it is the preferred option for both you and your baby.
- Organic honey is also known as raw honey, and it is produced entirely by bees without any extra ingredients. It is not only healthier but also sweeter and definitely worth the investment.
- Even when your baby turns one year old, and you want to introduce honey to their diet, you should look for high-quality organic honey.
B) Honey & Lemon Water While Nursing
Lemon water can bring you a lot of benefits as you are breastfeeding. And if you mix it with a spoon of honey, it will be even healthier and tastier for you.
- The combination of lemon and honey creates a healthy detox mix for your body.
- Both lemon and honey are high antioxidants, so you should combine them in a glass of water every morning for breakfast.
- If you are thinking that lemon might give your baby gas, don't worry! You will not have so much lemon to create a gassy side effect in your little one.
- All you need is the juice from half a lemon to every 500 ml of water and a teaspoon of honey. This is a healthy drink that will keep your body clean of toxins, and it will be enjoyable to drink every morning.
- Plus, this drink will also help you maintain a good weight as you will digest the food you eat during the day better.
C) Manuka Honey and Breastfeeding
Manuka honey is a special type of honey that comes only from the Manuka plant found in New Zeeland.
- This honey is considered to be an excellent natural remedy for inflammations, infections, and different viral health problems.
- It is an efficient antibacterial and recommended as a natural antioxidant. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Manuka honey is a great option for you and your baby after they turn one year old.
- It has superior health benefits that could not only help your digestive system but also keep you away from flu or other health conditions.
- However, you have to make sure that you are not allergic to it before you start consuming it.
If you are a nursing mom, you should take into account all the aspects of this guide. You don't want to take any risks or expose your baby to any health hazards.
Until babies are 6 months old, they rely entirely on the breastmilk they get from their mothers unless you add formula milk to their diets too. And you should make sure that your breastmilk is as good as it gets!
Key References
- "Infant Botulism (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth". Accessed March 23, 2020. Link.
- "7 Proven Benefits and Uses of Manuka Honey". Accessed March 23, 2020. Link.
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