MIL fed baby honey

elvinnoe · February 2013

DH and I left DD with his mom so we could go to a no babies allowed wedding. MIL says I didn't leave enough bm, so she mixed water and honey and fed it to her. I immediately looked it up and all I can find is that honey can be deadly for babies under a year old and that symptoms don't show up for 3 days and now I'm losing it. I'm so worried, but idk what to do. I'm seriously about to have a meltdown. I swear I'm never leaving her with anyone ever again.

honeydew01 · February 2013

Call your pediatrician. Most have an on-call ped or nurse line 24/7. I'm sorry, I'd have probably lost it too.

nanabanana06 · February 2013

What kind of screwed up world does your MIL come from to have even thought of mixing honey and water and feeding it to a tiny baby?? I mean for effs sake she could of just gotten someone to give her some farking formula. I wouldn't be leaving my kid with MIL ever again. Not if she thinks that is ok. Call your pedi. Hopefully all will be well with your LO.

[Deleted User] · February 2013

Wow, I'd be seriously pissed.I probably would not be leaving my kids with her alone again. Ditto what PPs said, give your pedi a call. Gl with everything.

OhBaby+2013 · February 2013

Try not to panic. Yes she made a mistake, but I don't think she did it on purpose. With the honey it's a pasteurization thing. Call your doctor in the morning, though there's not much they can do. Keep your eyes out for an allergic reaction and go to the hospital if you suspect omething. I'm sure all will be ok. Now it's time to have a calm conversation with MIL about expectations. Times have changed, I'm sure she didn't think it would be an issue at all.

LaurelBee · February 2013

Definitely call your pedi, but also check the label of your honey. It most likely isn't pure honey which, has the botulism risk. Most store bought honey is usually man made...

Also, throat punch your Mil for me. What an idiot!!

sararn2004 · February 2013

I agree with PP's. Call pediatrician. You're worried about infant botulism. I just googled Signs and Symptoms since I forgot and copy and pasted them here. Plus, I'd totally be wary of MIL watching baby after this. Educate her too though.

Symptoms of botulism appear between 3 to 30 days after an infant consumers the spores. Constipation is often the first sign of botulism that parents notice (although many other illnesses also can cause constipation). Call your doctor if your baby hasn't had a bowel movement in 3 days.

Other symptoms can include:

flat facial expression
poor feeding (weak sucking)
weak cry
decreased movement
trouble swallowing with excessive drooling
muscle weakness
breathing problems

Infant botulism can be treated, but it's important to get medical care as soon as possible. Call your doctor right away if you see any of the warning signs in your baby.

GeeksWithSqueaks · February 2013

If it was store bought then you are likely alright because its been pasteurized, I would still talk to you doctor to be safe but honestly it should be alright as long as its been pasteurized.

MelissaRae1525 · February 2013

Wtf!? Every bottle I've seen even says not to give it to infants under 1! I don't know anything about honey but hopefully if its pasteurized you'll be okay. This is why I'm afraid to leave LO with MIL, she mentions things like giving him water already. Good luck and I hope everything is okay.

elvinnoe · February 2013

LaurelBee:
Also, throat punch your Mil for me. What an idiot!!

Hahahahaha!!!! Omg I just laughed so loud. DH wanted to know what I was laughing at and I felt like a little kid caught in a bad joke.

Thanks for all the advice. I did call her pedi and I got the answering service, who directed me to poison control. PC was a huge help; they told me the symptoms to look for and what to do if any of them happen. They also said that botulism is rare, but that I did the right thing by calling and that it does happen occasionally so I need to keep my eye on her.

As far as MIL, I don't know what to think. She felt really bad, but still justified herself by saying she fed all of her kids honey and they're fine, that Ivy was crying and it helped her, that it's recommended where she comes from (Guatemala.. great health care system in the middle of BFN apparently), etc. So I can't figure out if she feels bad because she realizes it's bad for babies, or if she feels bad because DH and I are upset at her. At this point I never plan on leaving Ivy alone with her again, but DH suggested sitting down with her and his dad and teaching them what to avoid with babies and how to handle situations when we aren't there. He thinks it will help, but I honestly think they'll get offended and be defensive, but whatever. They're his parents and I'm just really glad he's taking my side on this, so I don't care how he handles it as long as it gets handled.

This has been such a long night.

ASmallWonder · February 2013

Believe me that I know it's hard not to want to kick her ass but think about it. People don't know what they don't know. It's not like she gave her crack. She gave her food that is given where she comes from and that she gave her kids. There's a difference between a well intentioned mistake and intentional harm/disregard for instructions you've given. Use this as a reminder to make a list of don'ts and go over it with her. Chances are she's also old school on giving them water, solids, laying on the stomach, blankets, bumpers, etc. You've got to take the time to educate because the only reason you know this stuff is because you learned it. It's not naturally in your brain.

dande2129 · February 2013

OhBaby+2013:
With the honey it's a pasteurization thing.

It's not just the honey that is an issue here; it's also the water. Water intoxication is a very real risk to an infant. I doubt that OP's MIL gave her enough to really do anything, but that would still be an issue for me.

OP, did she have a car seat base in the event that she needed to take LO anywhere? I guess that if you had no BM and no formula in the house, she did what she thought was best at the time but she should have at least called you.

Call your pedi and try to relax.

ASmallWonder · February 2013

dande2129:
OhBaby+2013:
With the honey it's a pasteurization thing.
It's not just the honey that is an issue here; it's also the water. Water intoxication is a very real risk to an infant. I doubt that OP's MIL gave her enough to really do anything, but that would still be an issue for me.
OP, did she have a car seat base in the event that she needed to take LO anywhere? I guess that if you had no BM and no formula in the house, she did what she thought was best at the time but she should have at least called you.
Call your pedi and try to relax.

I wouldn't worry much in this case. She didn't give plain water but rather, water mixed with something else. The worry with pure water is that it dilutes the sodium in their system and can lead to seizures. But if you're mixing the water with something else (like formula or in this case, honey) there's sodium in that so the sodium flush isn't really a concern.

watermellens · February 2013

Tongue Tied I'm so sorry. Out of all of the things she could have given him, why on earth did she choose honey - the ONLY think babies under a year should never have?

Call your pedi - I'm sure they can ease your mind. Sorry mama

this decaf life · February 2013

So sorry, that's awful of her to do! I agree call the pedi.

Tennis Chick · February 2013

I would have lost my *** with her. Mistake sure, but if she didn't at least attempt to call you, or go to the store (herself or send someone) to pick up formula...not having it. I personally would not leave her with LO again.

laurenhankey · February 2013

My MIL put honey on my LO's pacifier when she was 4 weeks old. I FLIPPED! The back of the jar specifically states not to give to children under 1 year old! Needless to say, my LO is almost 8 months old and she has yet to watch her again. I am so sorry. I hope your LO is okay. Most honey nowadays, unless bought from a farmers market or something, is pasteurized and the likeliness of LO getting botulism is very small.

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