No honey for your baby!

[Blessed_Mom]

Do you mamas ever worry about honey in cheerios? At all my Ped's appointments we got handouts that stated in bold " NO HONEY TO YOUR BABY". I wonder what that is all about and I got one as late as at 8 mo. Does it apply to honey in cheerios?

I am thinking the "no honey" is for the raw honey for fear of botulism(did I get that right?). So honey in cheerios should be safe right?

[Auraji]

I think you're right is just for fear of botulism, so it should only be raw honey. I didnt think of that before

[EviesMom]

Honey cooked in foods is acceptable, like cheerios. No raw honey is the rule.

[jljeppson]

According to peds, it also includes honey in cooked foods. Botulism is surprisingly hardy and very tough to eradicate so to be on the safe side they ask that ALL honey be avoided before the age of 12 mths. It takes the intense heat that can be obtained in a pressure canner to kill it, and baked goods definitely don't reach those temps. You're also recommended to avoid corn syrup and molasses for the same reasons.

[karika]

Botulism can be in raw or pasteurized honey but I really don't think it is a problem personally to have honey in a baby's diet. Many cultures give honey to babies, although in the 'civilized' societies we are told it is very dangerous. This site says it does not matter if it is baked, that you should still avoid it.
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/inf...ulismhoney.htm
I did not give any to my babies until they were eating solids well and had increased their gut flora FTR, just to be on the safe side. Raw honey has many healing properties btw, so personally I have never understood how it could have a pathogen in it, since it is a natural anti bacterial and anti fungal.... http://www.naturalnews.com/021506.html Personally, the thing about the cheerios that is the most concerning is the fact that it is made with GMO ingredients http://www.tbyil.com/GMO%20Food%20Guide.htm#cereal

[pbjmama]

I would be more worried about the nuts than the honey! Well, I guess Honey NUT cheerios contain nuts?

[belltree]

The botulismus bacteria are only killed when boiling at 257F, that's a temperature not that easily achieved.

But honestly, I would even doubt that this is real honey on the cheerios.

And I thought the main problems with nuts are is the choking hazard?

[pbjmama]

Originally Posted by belltree

And I thought the main problems with nuts are is the choking hazard?

Yes, nuts are a choking hazard. Tree nuts and peanuts are 2 of the top 7 allergens. FYI the others are ,dairy, soy, shellfish, wheat, and egg whites.

[Darlingricki74]

I never even thought about it, but it never would have occurred to me to give my son honey nut cheerios when he was a baby-only plain ones. He loved the plain ones, he's 6.5 now and still loves the plain ones best(he just started even wanting/liking any of the sugary "kids" cereals in the past year, and most of the time will still prefer plain cheerios). I guess I just thought why introduce the sweeter stuff that young when they usually like the plain?

[Bokonon]

I give my baby plain Cheerios or organic O's, not the honey nut version.

[Blessed_Mom]

The plain Os have corn flour in them which my DD is allergic to....I got some Organic Os at Wholefoods made with Quinoa ans spelt flour but they had only the honeyed version....hence the question.

[Scarlet_Redhead]

I was just thinking about this!! I got Annies Honey Bunnys cereal for LO to try (it was on sale and I had a coupon). But then I got thinking about the honey. LO is only 8 1/2 months old. The replies seem split on if honey in food is ok or not. Real honey is the 4th ingredient. I think I will just wait till he is a bit older to eat this cereal.