Honey?

draeray · January 2014

I know our little ones are forbidden to have honey, but I have a recipe that calls for a 1/2 of a cup for a crockpot type meal, and I was wondering if it made any difference if it was cooked?

Meggiemuggins · January 2014

I'm not sure, I haven't heard either way. Is there something you can substitute for the honey, like corn syrup or brown sugar? I know they taste completely different, but they might work.

wifeofadam · January 2014

From what I understand, it's unpasteurized honey that is the concern. Raw honey can make babies sick.

The majority of what is sold in the stores is pasteurized, so you would be fine to use it in a meal. I use both raw and pasteurized honey for different things in my house and my baby will eat lots of treats made from the heated stuff before age 2.

Rynleigh · January 2014

+adamwife+ said:

From what I understand, it's unpasteurized honey that is the concern. Raw honey can make babies sick.

The majority of what is sold in the stores is pasteurized, so you would be fine to use it in a meal. I use both raw and pasteurized honey for different things in my house and my baby will eat lots of treats made from the heated stuff before age 2.

The way to destroy the botulism spores in honey is to treat with gamma radiation... which results in "medical grade" honey. You generally don't find that in grocery stores or at your local honey producer. It cannot be destroyed through simple pasteurizing.

octobermama87 · January 2014

So "honey nut Cheerios" are ok?

wifeofadam · January 2014

Rynleigh said:

+adamwife+ said:

From what I understand, it's unpasteurized honey that is the concern. Raw honey can make babies sick.

The majority of what is sold in the stores is pasteurized, so you would be fine to use it in a meal. I use both raw and pasteurized honey for different things in my house and my baby will eat lots of treats made from the heated stuff before age 2.

The way to destroy the botulism spores in honey is to treat with gamma radiation... which results in "medical grade" honey. You generally don't find that in grocery stores or at your local honey producer. It cannot be destroyed through simple pasteurizing.

Interesting. You learn something new everyday. Not only did I not know that pasteurized honey isn't safe, but I also didn't know the rule was only until 12 months. I thought it was until age 2. Since we don't give solids until around 12 months I guess all of my raw honey treats will be okay when we do introduce solids. That's good news!!

I would think that pressure canning would kill the botulism spores, as it does the same thing for other foods. I mean, my kids eat my home-canned goodies, which are a botulism risk...

The fact that children's digestive systems aren't completely developed until 12 months, and that this is a reason to avoid honey, is proof to me that holding off on any solids until closer to a year is probably what is best for babies so that food particles aren't entering their bloodstreams through their open guts. I really don't get why doctors advocate for any solids prior to a year...

stephbethpeth · January 2014

I was wondering about the honey nut cheerios too!

lbonga1 · January 2014

I was told not even anything honey flavored, specifically honey graham crackers, but I'm sure the same goes for anything else.

kleigh926 · January 2014

DD has had honey nut Cheerios for months now. I honestly didn't even think of it till after she'd been getting them for quite awhile (DH's family gave them to her several times before it even occurred to me that she maybe shouldn't have them). So I don't know if that's wrong, but she never had any trouble with it.

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