Question About Food.

I have never heard of it having the same effect as honey. I have heard that corn syrup is horrible for you though. I would just buy the unsweetened apple sauce. I didn't give my son anything with added sugars in it while he was an infant. Why add it if they don't know the difference?

The concern with honey is botulism but corn syrup doesn't have that problem so don't worry about the applesauce! :) Someone might have meant that the extra sugar wasn't good for a baby, but it won't make her sick. Most grocery stores have "no sugar added" applesauce that is really good! I sometimes add a little cinnamon if it's bland.

First, you don't have to freak out...if she was going to get sick, she would have gotten sick already...second, honey is only on the "no" list if it is not cooked. Raw honey is not good, if it is baked or cooked into something, it is fine. (look at baby baked items - they often contain honey) Third, if you are really concerned, applesause is really easy to make...you peel and cut apples, and put them in a pot with a little bit of water, turn it on and let ut cook...

The prohibition against honey is that it might have small amounts of botulism in it. This is something that older people can ward off really well, but infants can't, so no honey for babies in their first year.

Corn syrup does not have this problem (it is processed). So its safe.

There are other reasons to try and find applesauce that is not sweetened with corn syrup (like trying to allow the apple taste to speak for itself). However, a jar of applesauce is not going to harm your baby - so don't panic. It is only something you may want to consider when viewing your baby's diet over all. (Some corn syrup - ok, corn syrup in every item - not so much.)

If the corn syrup is in a processed, packaged food, you're fine.
But personally I don't give my baby any foods that have such additives, I don't care whether it contributes to obesity or not, it just isn't natural.
You can buy unsweetened applesauce, which in my opinion doesn't taste any less sweet than regular applesauce.
Feeding her natural food will also keep your baby from developing a taste for overly sweetened and salted processed food.

In general it's better to stay away from corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup. The problem, as I understand it, with honey is that is can harbor bacteria that baby's digestive system can't overcome. I suppose it's possible for the same to be true of corn syrup but since it's made in a factory rather than ever being "out in nature", I wouldn't worry so much about the bacteria factor. What is a problem is that it reacts differently from sugar in the body---it can enter cells without insulin, so it's basically an unregulated source of energy. The body easily converts fructose to fat. It also creates sugar cravings because the level of insulin in the blood is too high---the body thinks it doesn't have any fuel, and craves the easiest form of fuel to digest---sugar.
So I recommend avoiding corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup in general---the unsweetened apple sauce tastes just as good, and your little one won't even notice!

My son was eating apple sauce by 5 months, and is fine. I even replace the sugar in things like banana bread with apple sauce to make them healthier. Honey is unprocessed so that is why children under 2 should avoid it.

I too have read that corn syrup may contain the botulinum spores (implicated in infant botulism). This is what it says at http://www.drpaul.com/library/HONEY.html "On a final note, light or dark corn syrup is often used to help babies with constipation. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that due to the potential theoretical risk of botulinum contamination babies should also not be given corn syrup that has not been pasteurized(sterilized) or declared "botulism spore free". I think the key word here is "theoretical".
At http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/infant-nourrisson/nut_i... (Health - Canada) they say "Corn syrup has never been directly implicated in a case of infant botulism. Corn syrup solids or corn syrup are used in infant formulas. The heat processing that liquid infant formulas undergo would destroy any C. botulinum spores; moreover, no infant formula has ever been implicated in infant botulism. The conflicting evidence implicating corn syrup in infant botulism is not strong enough to classify corn syrup as a risk factor and, as such, we do not recommend against feeding corn syrup to infants.
I have a friend who fed all four of her babies home made formula using corn syrup, and she never had a problem. I don't think you need to freak out, but after learning this, I did abstain from both. Better safe than sorry.
Both web sites have more information.

B., I try to give my daughter the applesauce that is all natural with no sweetners and no corn syrup. Winco and Wal Mart have brands that are the same price as the brands that have it in it. I figure she is getting it in enough stuff why add to it. As for it being the same as honey I would always ask your doctor. To me honey is more of a natural product that is not treated the way that corn syurp is befor going into the food.

Also my daughter go really sick with flem and all when she was around 8 months and our doctor gave us permission to give her some all natural honey to help break up the flem. Before doing anything please talk to your doctor first to get their approval, so they know what you are doing just in case there is a reaction they can treat it better. Hope this helps you, C.

I don't think there is a problem. When my son was a baby and taking formula (couldn't breast feed after the first couple weeks) he had troubles with all the iron. The Dr. just had me put a bit of corn syrup in the bottle to help grease the wheels, so to speak. I can't imagine he would do that if he thought there could potentially be a problem.

Hey B. -

Although I think you're perfectly safe to give this to your daughter (I was horrified to see corn syrup as a leading ingredient in my sons formula)I would recommend finding her a brand that does not contain artificial sweeteners or any of these additives. My kids all loved it when I peeled and sliced up real apples, warmed up to be either mashed or a very soft finger food. Corn syrup, and especially high fructos corn syrup is nothing more than a lot of added sugar and that can't possibly be of any benefit to any of us! Avoiding it as much as possible will keep your whole family healthier and help your child appreciate the natural flavors of food rather than expecting everything to be mega sweetened and giving her an unquenchable sweet tooth (and also a life dealing with weight problems!)

I'm pretty sure that that it's only honey that is dangerous. It can have botulism spores in it. I don't think corn syrup can. You might call the pediatrician just be be sure though.

On a final note, light or dark corn syrup is often used to help babies with constipation. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that due to the potential theoretical risk of botulinum contamination babies should also not be given corn syrup that has not been pasteurized(sterilized) or declared "botulism spore free".

Don't get too worried till you are sure that it could be harmful and if your child isn't having any symptoms;-) Make sure it was pasturized or call your oncall nurse.
Lynelle

Honey is a source of Botulism for infants. I was curious about your questions so I looked it up an this is what I found on Wikipedia: "Infant botulism (first recognized in 1976) is the most common form of the ailment in the United States, but is rarely diagnosed in other countries. It affects about 100 infants per year in the United States, with the majority in the state of California (40–50%). Infants less than 12 months of age are susceptible, with almost 90% of cases occurring between the ages of 3 weeks and 6 months of age at presentation... Honey, corn syrup, and other sweeteners are potentially dangerous for infants." So it sounds like corn syrup can have the same effect, but it is very rare.

Hi B.,

Have you tried the Gerber Organics? They are 100% organic and has no artificial sweetners in them. We give our daughter those and she loves them! Also look into Earth's Best baby foods, we started ours on those and they have a really excellent selection at Whole Foods and they aren't that expensive there.

If your really worried about the effects, talk to your pedi and ask them. They will ultimately know more than most of us.

Good Luck!

I think You are safe years ago all formula had corn syrup in it. Honey is an entire different product.