Hi. I'm hoping someone will simply put this fire of panic out. Our 6 week old was baptized today, and as part of the service, the pastor put honey in the baby's mouth (just a swab, but she really rubbed it in there). I should have been more aggressive about my worries and ask that it be put on her forehead or something instead, but I didn't and now I'm worried. This pastor is young and has no children, and I doubt she knew about the risk of botulism. I know that all I can really do is keep an eye on her and hope she's fine, but I'm slightly freaking out.
Thanks for all the responses. We did call the pediatrician who said it's unlikely there would be a problem, but basically just keep an eye on her. I also messaged the pastor to let her know the situation.
You didn't say that you told her that babies aren't supposed to have it. Did you tell her and let her know why? Did you ask her never to do that again?
If I were you, I'd find out what the symptoms are of botulism poisoning and wait it out.
Please go through this entire explanation with the pastor. She needs to be informed and change her ceremony.
Dawn
http://www.babyzone.com/baby/feeding-baby/infant-botulism...
This explains it all. OneCrazyLady's got it exactly right!
I don't have an answer, but I'm very curious about what denomination this is. I've never heard of this tradition, and I am very schooled in the practices of Christianity throughout most denominations and sects.
As a side note, do a favor to the pastor and take her some information about honey and infants. She will be better able to serve if she has all the information possible. Also, there is a chance that she is using some honey prepared specifically for this purpose.
You are your baby's only advocate...I'm sure you won't ever let something like this happen again. You knew there was a risk but you didn't want to start a conflict, in the future, don't be afraid or timid, just come right out and ask!
Now, doctors tell you not to give your baby honey until 2 years of age. What they don't tell you is that if the honey is pasturized that it is perfectly safe for a baby. It's the RAW honey that causes concern for botulism. I would call the pastor and ask her about the honey she used and find out if it's raw honey. It will say right on the container either raw or pasturized. If it's pasturized, you have no worries!
ETA: According to the WHO (World Health Organization) raw honey should not be given to infants.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs270/en/
I have 3 containers of honey in my house 1 is purely raw and white and crystalized. The second says pasturized right on the bottle and the third just says pure Grade A honey (which I believe is just heated and filtered honey).
WOW. The info about giving honey to babies came out over 25 yrs ago. I would call her doctor's office number and see if you could have a doctor or nurse call you back or see if there is a 24 hour helpline connected to the clinic you go to or call a local ER and ask questions. Just ask what symtoms you need to look for. Then keep an eye on her. If there is a senior paster at your church call on Monday and tell that person about your concerns. If there is no one else to talk to print out some info on giving honey to babies and take it to your paster. This is simply a bad practice.
okay...deep breath...
it was a swab and I am almost positive that it was pasteurized honey and not raw honey...
To alleviate your fears, call your pediatricians office and speak to the advice nurse...and if they don't have a 24 hour service? Call your local hospital and talk to a doctor there...they can help you out..
Hugs!!
You could also call the pastor and see if they can tell you the brand, etc. info about the honey. That might help get more precise info from your pedi.
In the old days, we used to put honey on pacifiers. I remember my pediatrician saying not to do it anymore. He was not panicked, just said due
to the botulism thing, just do not do it. He did not have me looking for symptoms of botulism. I think your baby will be fine. Lesson learned.
Congratulations.
I bet it was pasteurized..
Your baby will be fine.. Just call to confirm if you are super worried.
Call the doctor and dispel your fears.
Call your pediatrician's office for reassurance and also request that the doctor's office send this pastor information about the risk of honey for babies, and the AAP's recommendations of no supplemental foods or fluids until six months of age.
I agree that calling your doctor would be a good idea, but most honey has been heated and is therefore, free of botulism.
Your baby is probably fine. But did you tell her that you weren't ok with it? I would really be more vocal and advocate for your kid. Call the pastor and tell them so this doesn't happen to another infant. Even if it causes a stir or creates uncomfortable feelings, your baby is your priority and you need to advocate for her!!!! Good luck~
It's highly unlikely that this one exposure to honey will cause botulism. You can check to be sure but I also suggest that the pastor used pasteurized honey. Honey that has been heated above a certain temperature is free of botulism.
What the heck? I've never heard of such a thing!! It was probably "commercial" honey and the risk is much lower because heating is part of the processing, but there is still a risk. I would call the doctor tomorrow and just explain what happened and they can probably tell you what to watch for and/or put your mind at ease.
I would also be contacting whomever the idiot is that came up with putting honey in a baby's mouth and have that practice stopped immediately!!!
Just curious...guessing this was not a Catholic Baptism? If any priest would have attempted that with my children I would have batted his hand!!
Good luck!!
@Lisa D - WOW!! Thanks for the attack!! Didn't know we weren't allowed to ask questions. But thanks for setting me straight!! I'll check with you in the future on any questions I have since you seem to be schooled in every subject!!
I have heard that if an infant has been fed honey by someone who doesn't know about the risks and dangers, it is important, if possible, to get the honey that was fed to the baby and keep a sample of it. If a problem developed, it would be helpful for medical personnel to know what kind of honey it was, where it was produced, etc.
So I'd go back and get the honey jar and keep it. And I'd give the church information about the dangers.
http://www.honey.com/nhb/about-honey/frequently-asked-que... contains information about honey and infants, and it's from the National Honey Board so I feel that it's credible. It stresses the importance of never feeding honey to an infant.
Just watch your baby carefully for changes and be vigilant. Like you said, there probably will not be any problem. You sound like a smart and careful mom.
I am sure you called your pediatrician. Hopefully it won't be an issue and there will be no harm done. But just as an FYI spores do not get destroyed by temperatures achieved during pasteurization.
Please see your Pediatrician!
I agree with the other moms.
First, breathe. She'll be OK.
Second, call your pediatrician and explain what happened. This should calm your anxiety.
Third, I agree that this pastor needs some education. In addition to the links posted below, I have attached one from a NIH service. This one isn't to scare you, it is to help educate. Your pastor needs to be aware that honey is not healthy for babies, for multiple reasons. Botulism can be a read danger, and she just needs to be aware.
Fourth, just FYI, most honey is NOT pasteurized. Pasteurized honey doesn't have nearly the flavor.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001566.htm
@Purple Mom: Very unlikely this was a Catholic baptism, why would you even ask that? If you note in the question, the pastor is referred to as a "she." And Catholics do not use honey in Baptisms (before reading the question, I didn't think anyone did). Just blessed oils and water ON the baby's head.
Like you and others, I do wonder what denominiation puts honey into the mouth of an infant being baptized, though. I wonder what the honey is supposed to represent.
LisaD
