Can newborns drink honey water? What are the benefits?

The healthy development of babies is inseparable from nutrition. When babies start to eat solid food, there are many foods that they cannot eat. So can newborns drink honey water? What are the benefits?

Can newborns drink honey water?

Babies under 1 year old should not drink honey water. The normal intestinal flora of babies under 1 year old has not yet been fully established. Eating honey can easily cause infection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms.

When the baby is one year old, normal intestinal flora is established and botulinum toxin spores can be inhibited by beneficial bacteria in the intestine (Bifidobacteria, etc.), so it is okay to eat honey.

Although honey tastes delicious, it is not good for your baby. Honey contains a bacillus that can contaminate certain foods, and honey contains bacillus that has caused the death of infants.

If a baby eats honey contaminated with Bacillus, he may develop botulism, which can cause muscle weakness, such as a weak cry, a weak suck, loss of muscle tone, and constipation.

Be careful with processed foods: It’s not just honey that babies can’t eat, but also other processed foods containing honey. It’s best not to let your baby eat sweet things until he’s older.

Try again after the baby is one and a half years old: According to research, babies become more mature after one year old, and their developmental systems can handle bacteria without getting sick, so it is best to wait until the baby is one year old before letting him try.

Benefits of honey water for newborns

Honey water has many benefits. Because the main components of honey are glucose and fructose, which are very beneficial for human digestion and absorption, and it is rich in trace elements and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, etc., which can make children's teeth and bones grow fast and strong, and enhance their ability to resist diseases.

Honey has the effect of relieving cough and moistening the lungs, which is very helpful for cough and preventing colds, but children should not drink too much honey. In addition, honey can only prevent and relieve cough, but cannot cure it, so it is better to use other safer and more effective methods to actively treat the baby's cough.

Precautions for babies drinking honey

When consuming honey, you must first pay attention to the temperature. Do not take it with boiling water, otherwise it will destroy the active enzymes and vitamin C in it. It is appropriate to consume no more than 2 tablespoons of honey per day.

Secondly, be sure to buy products produced by regular manufacturers. If you accidentally buy products with added sucrose, your baby will consume too much sugar and affect his appetite.

Finally, children with allergies should not eat honey. If the baby develops symptoms such as rash, weak crying, diarrhea, etc. after eating honey, it should be stopped immediately and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Honey can moisten bowel movements and promote intestinal peristalsis. It contains glucose, fructose and sucrose. Eating too much can cause loss of appetite and affect the amount of food consumed at regular meals.

Honey may contain biological hormones. During the pollen collection process, pesticides and allergenic factors may be brought into the honey. Therefore, it should be used with caution in infants under one year old.