When you’re a new mom, there are so many things to worry about. Will my baby be healthy? Will I be able to breastfeed successfully? One question that a lot of breastfeeding mothers have is whether or not they can eat honey while breastfeeding.
The answer is yes, you can eat honey while breastfeeding! In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of eating honey while breastfeeding and how much honey is safe to consume.
Certain meals are avoided by nursing moms because they are concerned that the food will be passed on to their infant through milk. Whilst honey is one such frequent food that should not be fed to children under the age of 12 months due to the danger of infant botulism. However, the good news is this does not relate to mothers milk!
Are Honey and Breastfeeding Compatible?
Yes, a nursing mother may consume honey. Breast milk does not spread botulism. During the sickness and recovery from newborn botulism, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program suggests maintaining breast feeding or giving expressed breast milk.
Because botulinum spores are destroyed in the mother’s gastrointestinal system when they ingest raw honey, they do not reach the bloodstream or find their way into breast milk. Furthermore, the spores are too large to transfer into mother’s milk, and botulinum toxin does not pass into breast milk. Therefore breast milk is neither a source of the toxin nor the bacterial spores that cause newborn botulism so mothers can safely eat honey.
Hand washing should be done thoroughly as normally, especially in families where family members and other caretakers eat honey on a daily basis. This will assist to keep honey away from surfaces that may come into touch with the infant’s mouth just in case the botulism spores are present.
Can I have Manuka honey or Raw Honey during breastfeeding?
Manuka honey is made from the nectar of the manuka tree of the manuka plant found in Austrailia and New Zealand. This monofloral honey is commonly used in home treatments and is safe to ingest while breastfeeding. In fact, it is safer than other common allergy therapies. Any good quality pasteurized honey or organic honey is fine. Whilst it might have the botulinum toxin it cannot pass through mothers milk.
Healthy eating is vital for mothers and organic honey is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It also helps to boost the immune system. Honey is a great way to add flavour to breastfeeding diets without having to worry about any negative impacts on lactation or the baby’s health.
So, go ahead and enjoy a little honey in your tea or on your toast! Just make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after!
Benefits of Honey To A Breastfeeding Mother & Breast Milk
Honey is a healthy sweetener as well as a nutritious food rich in vitamins that are good to the body. Honey has been shown to contain antioxidants, minerals and enzymes which are great for nursing mothers. Honey is also a natural antibacterial agent that helps with wound healing and sore throats.
A mothers gastrointestinal tract will kill botulism causing bacteria, our gut flora helps to protect baby from harmful bacteria. You should aim to consume around two tablespoons of honey per day, spread out over the course of your meals. This will give you the benefits that honey has to offer while breastfeeding without posing any risks to your little one. Its safe for a mother’s body and rest assured it will not pass on to your baby via your milk.
Precautions To Take During Eating Honey During Breastfeeding
If you wish to continue having to eat honey as a breastfeeding mother (and there is no reason not to), it’s wise to take a few precautions to ensure your baby does not come into contact with raw honey.
- Regularly sanitize your hands. After ingesting honey, take additional measures with hand cleanliness so that the infant’s hands and lips do not come into touch with the meal.
- It should not be used anyplace on your skin or breasts, as it may come into touch with your child.
- Consume honey in moderation. If your family often uses honey as a sweetener, you might replace it.
- Consume honey in lukewarm drink rather than boiling liquid, as hot liquids might interfere with the nutrients and beneficial enzymes found in honey.
Tell me the best way to prevent botulism?
Infant botulism is contracted by eating botulism spores at a period when the baby’s big intestine is sensitive to spore germination and toxin generation. Medical science does not yet fully comprehend all of the elements that predispose an infant to botulism spore germination.
The only known and preventable source of botulinum spores is honey. The majority of newborn botulism patients received their spores via eating minute dust particles that contain the spores, according to an exclusion procedure (testing hundreds of meals, beverages, and other objects placed in infants’ mouths with negative findings throughout the years).
Avoid any foods with honey including cereals like honey nut cheerios, which should not be given to infants under 12 months. A young baby’s stomach and digestive system does not have enough acidity to kill the spores. This also includes certain foods like maple syrup which is also a risk. Don’t give honey directly to a young child.
When should a nursing mother avoid honey?
While it is best to avoid raw honey, which is likely to contain Clostridium botulinum spores. Breast milk, take comfort in the fact, is neither a source of the toxin or the bacterial spores that cause newborn botulism. Because botulinum spores are destroyed in the mother’s gastrointestinal system, they do not reach the bloodstream or find their way into breast milk.
If you are allergic to pollen, celery, or have any other other bee related allergies, or if you have diabetes or low blood sugar, you should consult your doctor or healthcare provider before eating honey while breast-feeding.
The sugar in honey is quickly digested and absorbed, so it can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. If you’re breastfeeding and have diabetes, eating too much honey could affect your blood sugar levels and the amount of milk you produce.
Is ginger and honey tea good for nursing mothers?
Absolutely! A tasty mixture of ginger and honey tea will help relieve a sore throat and remove congestion. While nursing, both ginger honey tea and ginger ale are completely safe, but should be consumed in moderation.
Can I have honey and cinnamon drink during breastfeeding?
Absolutely! Cinnamon promotes the flow of mother’s milk. It will also assist to postpone periods following delivery. A sprinkle of cinnamon on other foods should be mixed with half a teaspoon of good quality honey or a glass of warm milk before drinking, perfect for a sore throat.
So, can you eat honey while breastfeeding?
The answer is yes! Honey is a nutritious and healthy food that provides many benefits to nursing mothers. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after eating honey to avoid any potential contamination. And if your baby does develop symptoms of botulism, seek medical attention immediately. Thanks for reading!
