Health Alert Warns Against Giving Infants Honey, Pacifiers Containing Honey

Texas Health and Human Services has sent out an urgent message warning parents about the risks of giving honey to children 12 months old and younger.

"Infants (children less than 12 months of age) should not be given honey, or pacifiers containing honey or other food products, because of the risk of contracting infant botulism. Consumption of honey is widely recognized as a risk factor for infant botulism by healthcare and public health professionals" THHS wrote in its health alert.

Babies exposed to honey can contract botulism which can present as constipation leading to the inability to suck, weakness (loss of head control) and ultimately difficulty breathing.

Kids under 1 should not have honey, honey containing foods or baby products containing honey.

Botulism cases are usually rare, with about  8 cases per year in Texas but there have been four reported cases in the state since August. All four of those cases were linked to honey containing pacifiers. Botulism can be fatal and should be considered a medical emergency.

Normally, honey is a great option for cough in kids, but it should NEVER be used under 1 year of age.

Symptoms in infants often include:

• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Generalized weaknesses (the “floppy” baby syndrome”)
• Poor feeding
• Poor head control
• Poor gag and sucking reflex