If you enjoy a squeeze of honey on a buttered crumpet or drizzled on a portion of hot porridge, or simply stirred into a herbal tea, you might have been a little nervous on hearing that honey can cause botulism. Botulism is a rare, potentially fatal illness caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in infants under the age of 12 months.

Of course, you’ve been very careful to ensure your little one is nowhere near this natural sweetener, but as a breastfeeding mother, must you also avoid this delicious spread?

Is it safe to eat honey when breastfeeding?

While it’s perfectly understandable for parents to worry about honey entering the breastmilk, it’s perfectly safe to eat honey whilst breastfeeding. This is because the toxins that cause botulism won’t get into breast milk and thus, won’t be ingested by the baby. And what’s more, there's also no need to limit the amount of honey you take in.

But does honey offer up any benefits?

Are there any benefits to eating honey whilst breastfeeding?

Eating honey whilst you breastfeed won’t offer your baby any benefits, nor will it increase milk production, but there are a few potential benefits for you. As a potential antioxidant (a substance that prevents damage to cells) and a natural sweetener, honey is healthier than artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

It’s also thought that honey may help with cold and cough symptoms and may even be a healthier option for breastfeeding mothers than certain cough syrups.

But is there anything I need to be careful of if I’m eating honey while breastfeeding?

While you can eat as much honey as you like as a breastfeeding parent (because the toxins won’t pass into breast milk), you will still need to be very careful that your baby doesn’t accidentally digest any of the honey you eat. Just to be extra careful, we recommend that you always thoroughly wash your hands after cooking with or eating honey. And if your tiny tot is already reaching out and grabbing at nearby objects, it’s safest to refrain from eating or using honey when they’re nearby.

Can I eat honey whilst breastfeeding?

Bad for baby, but how about mum?