Babies, Botulism & Honey!
Don't give Honey to Your Little Honey! Why?
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Infant botulism is caused by spores of bacteria π¦ called Clostridium botulinum.
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Honey, along with soil and dust, contain the bacteria and spores. Spores grow and release toxins in the infant gut (less than 1y old) to cause disease compared to the older child due to:
β‘οΈ Immature immune systemβ¨
β‘οΈ Decreased gastric acid
β‘οΈ Lack of a mature gut microbiome
Symptoms of infant botulism usually begin with 1-2 days of release of the toxin in the gut and include:
π€’ Weak cry
π΅π« Poor suck and swallow
π€’ Decreased muscle tone and weakness
β Call your doctor π©βοΈ or go to the Emergency Department π₯ if you have concerns about exposure and/or symptoms of botulism. Treatment is with an injection that contains an anti-toxin and is very effective.
The only thing that we can control is honey so DON’T give honey to YOUR little honey who is less than 1year old! π―
