Gave baby honey - help!

[Foreveranxious22]

Tonight I wanted to do a treat for my DD1 (5) and said we do a picnic inside for tea. I went to the shop and got smoked ham thinking it wasn’t honey roast ham so my DD2 (8 months) could have a little ham sandwich. It wasn’t until she was eating it I panicked and checked the ingredients and smoked ham has honey in! So annoyed with myself for not checking before giving her it! Any advice on what to do?

Clearly people only read what they want to read to prove their point and missed the part where I said there's probably nothing to worry about and that she will probably be fine? OP was worried about her baby so I gave advice on what she could do as well as reassuring her. Cooked honey is still a risk.

You're really not an idiot!

My friend discovered her Eastern European MIL had been putting honey on her baby's dummy since birth, as it's got some tradition/function in that culture. Baby was absolutely fine, though she did ask MIL to stop (MIL was politely confused as to why). I know that's only anecdotal but really, she will be fine. It sounds like she'd have had an absolutely minuscule amount that would have been cooked anyway.

You're just feeding your children. Mistakes will be made - though this wasn't even a mistake. Please don't beat yourself up about it.

Some people respond without really knowing anything. Cooking does not call botulism.

However, the chances of it are so small and the amount they are was probably so tiny I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on any symtoms for the next few days but I doubt it will do anything.

Monitor her for what?!

how many children do you know who have caught botulism from a pack of honey roasted ham?!

Have you ever had botulism from honey? I’m 99.999% sure the chance is no. Whilst the risk to infants is higher IF they contract it, it’s a pretty huge ‘if’. She’ll be fine OP. Don’t give it any headspace.

I always buy honey roast ham, when I was weaning I didn't even think about the fact it was honey 😬

Is this for real?

Crikey, are you normally this anxious?

Surely if there's a risk it would say it on the packet, as it does on honey jars?

The voice of reason ...

My Italian friend used to get her babies to take a bottle by smothering the teat in honey. They're all still alive.

Constipation
Muscle weakness
Difficulty breathing
Etc

Really isn't ANY REASON for rudeness honestly. It's unhelpful for OP. Says more about you and the other posters than those who are giving advise and reassurance.

@Foreveranxious22 if they don't show any symptoms after 18 hours they'll be fine.

Accidents happen so don't beat yourself up. Chances are she's fine x

@harrassedmumto3 hmm after two miscarriages, infertility, an endometriosis diagnosis and two difficult pregnancy I guess a bit more cautious

A year ago you could come on mumsnet and ask a question like this and have people tell you their opinions without the underlining condescending tones.
My post was made in my initial panic.
Thank you for all your advice. She’s fine 🥰

I wouldn't even give this a moment's brain space.

She could have a diet solely composed of pure honey, and the likelihood of her catching botulism would be incredibly tiny. Traces of honey on ham, not even with worrying about.

Just for context, it's less than one child a year in average that get it in the UK. Most of these aren't from honey (but things like soil) and those that involve honey it isn't British honey.

The vast majority of babies who get it are under 6m old, and it's not as serious as adult botulism. It's got a 1.3% fatality rate and can usually be cured.

I stuck to the no honey rule, as there was no reason not to, but the risk from honey is tiny compared with the risk you take every day in simply leaving your home.

Thank you so much! You helped put things into perspective. I’m not as worried today, with the mindset that it’s happened, no point stressing.
I’m a lover of rules so when told not to give her something, and I did I was kicking myself.

@Foreveranxious22 Please try not to beat yourself up about it, it's honestly not a huge risk for your DD - the amount of honey in honey roast ham is tiny, and it sounds like she hasn't eaten much, if any.

The concerns about honey are about infant botulism, but the case numbers are tiny - and I guarantee there'll be lots of babies in the UK having small amounts of honey somewhere in their diets. It's best practice to avoid it, but a small exposure isn't likely to cause any problems.

If you're still worried, keep an eye on her and watch out for any symptoms - if you see anything concerning, you can seek medical advice. It might help you feel less anxious if you have a plan for this? Give her a hug and something different to eat, and don't dwell on it - go do something fun together instead!

@Foreveranxious22 I'm really happy she's fine and that you can relax too x