Is it safe to eat honey while breastfeeding?

The Safety of Honey Consumption While Breastfeeding
As new mothers navigate the complexities of breastfeeding, questions about diet often arise, particularly regarding the consumption of honey. The good news is that it is safe for breastfeeding mothers to eat honey. This reassurance comes from various health experts and organizations who emphasize that while honey is not suitable for infants under one year due to the risk of botulism, it poses no danger to nursing mothers.
Understanding the Risks
The primary concern surrounding honey consumption relates to infant botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by the bacteria *Clostridium botulinum*, which can be found in honey. This bacteria can produce spores that are harmful to babies, whose digestive systems are not yet mature enough to handle them. However, these spores are too large to pass through breast milk, meaning that a breastfeeding mother can safely enjoy honey without risking her baby’s health.
Nutritional Benefits and Considerations
While honey is often praised for its natural sweetness and potential health benefits, such as soothing sore throats or providing antioxidants, it does not enhance breast milk quality or supply. Mothers can enjoy honey as part of a balanced diet, but it should not be relied upon for increasing milk production. Instead, a variety of other foods are recommended for that purpose.
Expert Recommendations
Health professionals agree that breastfeeding mothers can consume honey freely, as long as they ensure their infants do not have direct contact with it. This means avoiding giving honey to babies under one year old, while mothers can safely incorporate it into their diets. Whether used to sweeten tea or as a natural remedy, honey can be a delightful addition to a nursing mother’s meals.
In conclusion, breastfeeding mothers can confidently include honey in their diets without concern for their baby’s safety. As always, maintaining a well-rounded diet is key to supporting both maternal health and breastfeeding success.

Can I kiss my baby if I ate honey?

Although honey is a known food vehicle for the bacteria that causes infant botulism, we typically don’t consider an individual honey exposure to be overly risky for acquiring the bacteria that causes infant botulism.

What negatively affects breast milk?

Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby’s schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply.

What should a breastfeeding mother avoid eating?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

How does honey affect babies?

Babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. That’s because a type of bacteria (called Clostridium) that causes infant botulism can be found in honey. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and decreased muscle tone (floppiness).

Can honey affect breast milk?

Safety of Honey While Breastfeeding
“Your body will digest and break down honey (and any spores it’s contaminated with), so it won’t pass in your breast milk to your baby,” say Jessica Madden, MD, pediatrician, neonatologist, IBCLC, and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps.

What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding a baby gassy?

If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes fussy, try avoiding the food for a while and see what happens. Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine.

Why can’t babies have strawberries?

Strawberries are a potential choking hazard, especially when the fruit is firm, round, or small. To reduce the risk, choose very large, soft, and ripe berries, and prepare and serve them in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within arm’s reach of baby at mealtime.

What foods cause colic in babies?

Some studies have found that particular foods eaten by the motherincluding cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chocolate, onions and cow’s milkcan cause an attack of colic in her breastfed infant.

Can I drink honey and lemon water while breastfeeding?

Try the following to help the discomfort of a cold or a sore throat when breastfeeding: Take honey and lemon mixed in hot water, or sip on other warm fluids like natural teas to keep your throat moist. Gargle some salt water.