Many breastfeeding moms who enjoy honey as a sweetener or an ingredient in baked goods and treats often wonder if it's safe to consume while nursing their little ones. You use honey for a sore throat or cough and are unsure if there are any risks involved. So, can breastfeeding moms eat honey safely?

The good news is that indulging in honey is generally safe for breastfeeding moms. You might be aware that pediatricians advise against giving honey to babies under one year old due to the botulism risk, but rest assured, your baby can't contract botulism from breastmilk even if you consume honey.

Can Breastfeeding Moms Eat Honey?

Image by Gray StudioPro on freepik | Is it safe for breastfeeding mothers to consume honey?

It's completely understandable for breastfeeding parents to have concerns about eating honey. After all, healthcare professionals warn against feeding honey to babies to prevent infant botulism, a serious bacterial infection. This infection can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, and breathing problems in infants.

Yet, as explained by the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, even if a breastfeeding mom consumes honey containing botulism toxins, these toxins don't enter the breast milk and so cannot be transmitted to the baby. Your body digests and breaks down honey, including any spores it might contain, so it won't be passed on to your baby through breast milk.

Both Dr. Jessica Madden, a pediatrician, neonatologist, and lactation consultant, and Sarah Schooler, a registered nurse and lactation consultant, confirm that there's no need to restrict honey from your diet while breastfeeding as it poses no danger to your baby. Dr. Madden emphasizes that even large quantities of honey are safe for breastfeeding moms.

Image by KamranAydinov on freepik | Safety measures for breastfeeding mothers consuming honey.

Yet, both experts recommend taking basic precautions like washing hands before breastfeeding or interacting with your baby to prevent accidental honey ingestion by your little one.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about consuming honey while breastfeeding, consulting with your healthcare provider is always recommended.

Safety Precautions for Breastfeeding Moms Eating Honey

While there's no risk of honey transferring harmful toxins to your breast milk, it's still important to ensure your baby doesn't accidentally consume honey, which can be dangerous for children who are under one year old.

Honey can contain spores that produce botulism toxins. Older children and adults can break down these toxins in their digestive systems, but babies younger than 1 year old cannot. Botulism from honey can cause severe harm to babies, with symptoms like breathing difficulties, constipation, feeding problems, weak facial muscles, and decreased crying. If you suspect your baby might have consumed honey and exhibit any of these symptoms, immediate contact with your pediatrician is crucial. Babies with botulism require hospitalization and sometimes intensive care.

Image by freepik | Wash hands thoroughly post-honey for baby care.

Here are some safety tips to remember:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby's mouth or preparing bottles and food for them after consuming honey.
• As your baby gets older and more active, be mindful of keeping honey and honey-containing foods out of their reach.

The Takeaway

It's wise to be mindful of the foods you consume and the medications you consider taking while breastfeeding. While some substances are best limited or avoided altogether, honey isn't one of them. So, feel free to enjoy honey in your tea, baked goods, or other treats without worry. If you have any lingering questions about consuming honey while breastfeeding, reach out to your baby's pediatrician for further guidance.