Honeynut Cheerios

[sharlan]

A mom was headed to the grocery store last night and I asked her to pick me up a box of Cheerios for her 11 mo. She bought one of the giant boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios. I've never given them to anyone under 2 because of the honey.

Does anyone else give them to the littles?

[Abigail]

I've never known them to be an issue, but I've given them twice a month to a 15 month old. For someone under one I have never given cereal, including cheerios to them. I guess most of the infants I've worked with don't have many teeth, . We do puffs, bananas, eggs, lasagna, plain yogurt, plain applesauce, etc along with some jarred organic foods.

[DBug]

They also have traces of nuts, not just honey .

I'd never give them to anyone under 2 because of the honey, the nuts, and the sugar . Maybe the mom could just give them at home if she's comfortable with it and bring another box of plain Cheerios for you?

[littlemissmuffet]

All the information I have says no honey under 12 months - not 2 years.

I don't take kids under 12 months, so I do give honey nut cheerios (in small snack amounts - due to high sugar content). I require that all parents introduce their kids to nuts at home before they begin daycare to help determine if they have an allergy or not.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I wouldn't do it.

[SunshineMama]

I gave them to my 12 month old dd without any issues. They say no honey or nuts under 12 months. Some peds say 24 months, but mine ok'd it at 12.

[Lilbutterflie]

Anything with honey or nuts should not be given to any baby less than 12 months old.

If there is no history of food allergy in the family; I start giving honey or nut products after 12 mos (with a discussion with the parents to make sure they are okay with it). My 15 mo dcg and 23mo dcb have honey nut cheerios on occasion and have not had any issues.

[Abigail]

Have you always had parents provide the food? I would recommend that if you do have them provide it that you have clear rules on what is okay to be served at daycare that they may provide for their child.

[countrymom]

it all varies with each kid. Some do well and some don't.

[tenderhearts]

I have never given them under 2 either because of the honey and nuts. I always ask parents to give them first too.

[spud912]

The two main problems with that cereal being given to a baby/young toddler would be the nuts and the sugar. I personally introduce foods containing chopped nuts to my own children starting at 12 months, but I am a little wary to do it to someone else's child. I don't serve that cereal to any of my children because of the sugar.

As far as the honey, it's important to note that the reason honey is not allowed is because in it's raw form, there is a potential to spread botulism. When found in highly processed products, the chances are extremely minimal if non-existent.

Here is a quote from Babycenter (please read the red part):

"Although honey seems like a wholesome and natural food to give your infant, don't do it until after she's at least 12 months old. Honey can contain spores of a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, which can germinate in a baby's immature digestive system and cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness.

These spores are usually harmless to adults and children over 1 year old, because the microorganisms normally found in the intestine keep the bacteria from growing.

To be on the safe side, don't cook with honey (in baked bread or pudding, for example) if your baby is going to be eating the finished dish. While the toxin is heat sensitive, the spores are difficult to kill. Commercial foods that contain honey, like ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and baby food, are safe for your baby because they've been heated enough to kill the spores.

The FDA has tested other sweeteners (such as light and dark corn
syrup) and not found the harmful bacteria. But it's a good idea to consult with your baby's doctor about which foods are the healthiest.

If your baby shows symptoms of botulism – constipation along with muscle weakness, trouble ****ing, slack jaw, or crying and lethargy – see a doctor immediately."

[sharlan]

Have you always had parents provide the food? I would recommend that if you do have them provide it that you have clear rules on what is okay to be served at daycare that they may provide for their child.

No, I provide all food except for formula. I had ran out of regular Cheerios, Mom said she was on her way to the grocery, I asked her to pick me up a box of Cheerios.