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Top 23 Scary Stories to Tell Your Kids
Bedtime stories are a beautiful part of childhood. As kids, we have lived all those amazing tales of courage, adventure, thrills and fun, but the ones which remain etched in our memories are the scary tales for children our parents and grandparents told us.
Now as parents, you would love to narrate tales to your own kids, but a little bit of caution is required. Here is a handy guide to help you weave some fascinating night stories for kids and make them memorable.
Horror Stories for Kids
Caution: These short horror stories are not meant for very young children who could be frightened more than they should be.
1. The Hook
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
It was dark when a teenager and his girlfriend stopped at a lonely and secluded Lover’s lane to spend some time alone. The car radio was broadcasting warnings about an escaped criminal called “The Hook”, nicknamed so because of the hook that replaced his right hand. Scared, both the boy and the girl leave the place in a rush when the car begins shaking. When both reach a nearby coffee shop, the girl notices a blood-covered hook hanging from the back seat window.
How to Tell: - Create enough drama around the fact that the couple was saved because they rushed out quickly and the fact that the hook was left hanging, suggesting that “The Hook” was nearby.
2. The Candy Man
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
Daniel was a poor man who worked at the local candy factory. Since he was a talented artist too, the factory owner hired him to paint his daughter Rose’s portrait. Daniel and Rose fell in love with each other which invited the wrath of Rose’s father and the town dwellers, and they tortured and beat him till he died. Daniel is long dead, but his tortured soul did not leave the world. Legend says that even today if you call out the name “Candyman” five times, Daniel’s ghost will come to haunt you.
How to Tell: Build interest around why the kids should not call out the word “Candyman” five times and its repercussions. Keep it simple yet interesting for the kids to connect.
3. The 13th Floor
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
As the legend goes, there is a haunted home in the city of Pennsylvania. Many years ago, invitations were sent out to people asking them to attend a Halloween party here, and Jack and Mary were amongst the invitees. The home consisted of a maze of identical passages and staircases, all leading to the 13th floor. Most people never made it to the 13th floor, scared by people dressed up as ghosts and ghouls. But Jack and Mary made it to the 13th floor despite all this. But we do not know what they found out on this floor as they were never seen after that fateful party.
How to Tell: Make use of voice modulations to convey the fears and scariness of the guests and dramatise the ending with a low voice.
4. The Clown
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
This story is about a family that moved into a huge house with a large number of rooms. A few days later, the two little boys of the couple began complaining about a clown coming into their room at night, but the father did not take it seriously. When a young girl came to babysit the kids while the parents were out, she went to the basement to watch TV after the kids went to sleep. She became uncomfortable because of the clown statue near the door and called the parents to ask if she could watch TV in the hall. The father told her to leave the house immediately and wait with the neighbours. The girl later came to know that the family never had a clown statue in their home.
How to Tell: Use a low voice to build up the eeriness when the babysitter watches the clown statue standing near the door and how the girl leaves the house with the two kids and play on the urgency.
5. The Flying Dutchman
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
Way back in 1961, a ship from Holland, called the Flying Dutchman was on its voyage and was near the Cape of Good Hope when the captain saw that they were in the path of a massive storm. With the help of the crew, the ship managed to steer clear of the storm but not for long, and it began to sink. The captain screamed at the storm that he would keep going around the cape in circles until time immortal if that’s what it took. If you are caught in a storm near the Cape of Good Hope, you can still see the Flying Dutchman and his crew sailing into the storm.
How to Tell: Dramatize the storm, powerful winds and rains to give the story a real feel. Talk like the captain did and you will have your kids hooked on the story.
6. The Stare
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
A young girl was travelling by train one late night. There were two old men sitting across her, and an old woman sitting between them, kept staring at her in a weird way. The train stopped at a station and a man, wearing a trench coat, stepped in and sat next to her. The young girl still felt the old woman staring at her continuously while the two old men were least bothered. When the train halted at the next stop, the man in the trench coat grabbed the girl and pushed her on to the station. When the girl began to scream, the man said, ”I am sorry, but I just saved your life, as the old woman was dead and the old men were propping her up”.
How to Tell: Paint a villainous image of the man in the trench coat and build up suspense until the end when he pulls the girl to safety.
7. Hide and Seek
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
This story is about two brothers who were playing hide and seek in their home while their parents were visiting their friends nearby. As the older boy turned towards the wall and began counting, he heard his brother scampering around searching for a place to hide. He searched everywhere but couldn’t locate his brother, when he heard a scraping sound from the cupboard. He called out to his younger brother but there was no response; only an eerie silence. He opened the cupboard slowly and bent down to peer closer, when a white, icy cold hand pulled him back. He then heard his younger brother calling out to him from behind, and frightened, the boy tried to break free from the grip of the icy cold hand. Both the brothers then rushed out of the room and out of the house, screaming. What if the hand had pulled the boy inside the cupboard?
How to Tell: Dramatise the scraping sound and the silence that follows. Ask the question “What if…..” in a monotone and see the reaction.
8. The Vanishing Hitchhiker
Age Recommendation: 6 years and above
As my Uncle Sam was driving down the highway one late rainy night, he saw a young girl wearing a pretty dress, asking to be dropped off to a nearby place. Uncle Sam was kind and dropped her off to her home, chatting and talking throughout the ride. The next day, he realised that the girl had forgotten her sweater in the car and went to her home to return it. An old lady greeted him at the door and when Uncle Sam narrated how he had met the young girl, the old woman said” I don’t think that’s possible since my daughter died many years ago while she was returning home after a party”.
How to Tell: Emphasize on the old woman’s revelation about her daughter being dead and bring the story to a dramatic end.
9. The Big Toe
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
A woman lived in a large house all alone. One day while she was working in her garden, she found a large hairy toe under a flower bed, brought it inside and kept it in a glass jar. That night, when she was getting ready to sleep, she heard the wind howling through the windows and a hoarse voice asking “Where is my toe?” The entire house was shaking when she heard the voice asking the same question. To finish, ask the question once again in a low, eerie voice and suddenly jump up and point at your audience and say “You’ve got it!”
How to Tell: Keep your voice low throughout the story and give it a dramatic finish as you say “You’ve got it!” in a loud voice.
10. The Old Television
A couple lived with their only son in a house on the outskirts of the city of Spain. The boy’s room had an old television which he would ask to be covered with a cloth every night as he went to sleep. One day, the father asked the boy why he wanted the TV covered at night. The boy said ”Because that’s where they come from”. The parents ignored the comment, thinking it was his imagination. One night, the parents had to go out, so they hired a baby sitter to stay with their son. When they returned late night, they found the babysitter sitting outside the home, mumbling, “They took him away.” Confused the parents rushed into the boy’s room and found that the television cover was off and the boy was gone.
How to Tell: Pause briefly when you are near the end and use a hushed tone to say “The boy was gone”.
Caution: Use words like 'torture' and 'killing' with care, while sparing grisly details of death if you find the audience getting spooked.
Funny Ghost Stories for Kids
Here are a few funny ghost stories which will have your audience in splits even as a chill runs down their spine!
1. Hitchhiker
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
A man was standing on a lonely highway on a dark rainy night, waiting to hitch a ride back home. After a long time, he saw a car approaching him very slowly and silently, suddenly stopping before him. Desperate to get home, the man jumped into the car, only to realise that there was no one in the car, not even the driver. As the car approached a bend, a hand appeared out of nowhere and steered the car over the bend safely. Scared the man jumped off the car and ran all the way to the nearest coffee shop. As he entered the shop, a couple of guys shouted at him, ”Hey! Here’s the idiot who jumped into our car while we were pushing it over the hill”.
How to Tell: Create a lot of drama and suspense in the initial part only to give it a funny twist at the end of the story.
2. The Cursed Doll
Age Recommendation: 6 years and above
A young girl was extremely fond of dolls and had a huge collection of a variety of dolls at home. Once while she was browsing at a toy store, she found the most beautiful doll ever and was keen to add it to her collection. When she asked the store owner, she was told that the doll was cursed. But the girl insisted, and the owner reluctantly sold it to her. When she reached her home, she got into the elevator, and the doors closed behind her. The lift did not move, and the girl began wondering if this was because of the cursed doll. Suddenly the doll moved, turned her jet black eyes towards her and opened her mouth to say, “Push the floor button, you silly fool.”
How to Tell: Bring the story to a crescendo, especially as the girl gets into the elevator and it doesn’t move. Use your funniest voice to speak like a doll would and watch the kids erupt with laughter.
3. The Cemetery Gates
Age Recommendation: 6 years and above
One dark night, a policeman was given the duty to guard a section that consisted of an old cemetery. As he went on his rounds and approached the cemetery, he noticed that the gates were open and he also heard rustling noises in the dark. He suddenly saw something white rushing towards him. Panicking, he drew his gun and fired a few shots at it. The next day, the policeman was found dead outside the cemetery with his gun in one hand, and his hand clutched to his heart. The poor fellow had suffered a massive heart attack and an old newspaper with bullet holes in it lay fluttering nearby.
How to Tell: Emphasize on how panic and assumptions can lead to such fatal incidents. Create an eerie feeling while describing the cemetery and the rustling noises.
4. Fear of the Dead
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
It was especially dark that night when a young woman was walking back home from work, her route having a cemetery on the way. As she came near the cemetery gates, she began to shake and tremble with fear. Suddenly, she saw a man walking just ahead of her, and she was relieved. The young woman caught up with him and asked him to walk with her to her home. As they came near the cemetery, the girl told him that she was terribly afraid of the dead. The man looked at her, smiled and said: ”Why should you be afraid of us?”
How to Tell: Make sure you create enough eerie feelings about the cemetery and the night. The last question should be asked with a maniacal smile.
5. Who’s the Boss?
A young girl went to a summer camp during her school vacation. This girl was extremely bossy and hence was an unpopular figure amongst the other students. Tired of her selfish nature, the students complained to the organisers and asked them to move the girl to another cabin. No one knew that the cabin that girl was moved into, was a haunted one. Just before going to sleep, the girl scribbled on the wall “I am the Boss”. As the lights were switched off, the girl felt a pair of hands creep up to her neck and slowly strangled her.
The next day when the organisers came looking for her, they found her dead. Just above the earlier scribbling were written the ominous words “No, I am the Boss”.
How to Tell: Keep your audience interested in what happens next by narrating the girl’s night in the cabin in a slow and deliberate manner.
True Ghost Stories
Caution: You don’t want to put the excessive fear in your child’s heart so tread carefully around those parts of the story that contain graphic violence or depicts the same.
1. The Army of the Dead
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
A laundress and her husband had recently shifted to a new city and were just settling down. The laundress would hear heavy footsteps outside the window every night and decided to ask her neighbour about it. She told the laundress that a large number of soldiers had died in the nearby hospital during the war and they marched off every night to fight the enemies.
That night when the laundress heard the marching sound, she opened the window and saw a dreadful sight. It was the army of the dead soldiers walking like zombies with horses, cannons and ambulances following them.
How to Tell: Give a detailed description of the zombie army, their looks and the way they would walk. Give a small demo if possible too.
2. The Maid
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
A widowed man and his little son moved into their new home in a faraway town. Their large spacious house was known to be haunted, but the man did not believe it when the locals told him that. While the kid was exploring the house, he reached the kitchen and saw the maid working there. She told him that there could be ghosts in the house and he had to be careful.
The young child then went to his father’s study and asked him if the house had ghosts in it. The father asked, “Who has been telling you all this?” The child replied “Our maid.” The father immediately asked him to pack their bags. When the son asked why, the father replied, “We do not have a maid, son!”
How to Tell: Slow your pace when you near the end and pause in dramatic fashion just before the father tells the boy that they do not have a maid.
3. Mr Sullivan
Age Recommendation: 10 years and above
One day, a man named John Sullivan was walking down the road. He did not remember what place this was and how he got there. He saw a woman and he walked up to her to ask about the place. One look at him and the woman screamed and ran away. Even the taxi driver whom he wanted to hire, did not wait for him. Tired of this, the man went to a public phone and called up his wife. A man picked up his wife’s phone and said, “Mrs Sullivan is at her husband’s funeral who passed away last night in a car accident”. Shocked, John looked at his reflection in the glass before him, saw a blood-stained face and he screamed.
How to Tell: Keep the narration engaging with expressions, right up to the time when you scream out loudly.
4. Who Is in the Bedroom?
One night when Susan returned home and went to the bedroom she shared with her sister. Without switching on the light, Susan asked her sister if she was awake. Her sister replied, “Stop the noise and go to bed.” Susan wanted to take a bath so waited outside the bathroom which was occupied. Susan thought it was her father who was inside but her mom said he was asleep. Suddenly, her sister walked out of the bathroom. Shocked, Susan rushed back to her room, switched on the light and found her sister’s bed empty. Who had answered her then?
How to Tell: Add a bit of drama to the proceedings when u ask your kids, “Who had answered her then?”
Best Halloween Stories for Children
Caution: Kids may associate their own toys with the characters in these stories and fear could build up, so be careful and try to neutralise it where necessary.
1. Halloween Night
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
One Halloween night, four girls were walking towards their home, when they saw a man dressed as a clown, standing near an old church. He waved out to them and asked them if they would help him in looking for his lost dog. As the girls entered the church, the clown shut the door and locked them in. He tortured them till they died one by one and severed their heads off. When the priest opened the door the next day, he saw the dead girls lying in a pool of blood. The church is still said to be haunted by the spirits of those girls and one can hear those screams till date.
How to Tell: Make the killing grisly and give a sinister look while describing the clown. Scream like the girls would have to add to the effect.
2. Lost Phone
One late evening, a woman reached home and after settling down, began rummaging through her bag. She realised that she did not have her mobile phone with her and did not remember when she had last used it. Thinking that she had misplaced it, she picked up her home phone and dialled her own number. Someone picked up the phone but she couldn’t hear anyone on the other side, except for heavy breathing. The woman asked, “Can you hear me?” A voice at the other end said, “I hear you.” She kept trying but to no avail. The woman then decided to go to sleep. When she entered her bedroom, she saw her mobile phone on the nightstand. When she checked it, it was on “silent” mode.
How to Tell: Build up the drama of the phone not being picked up and create shock and fear when the voice says “I hear you”.
Scary/Spooky Campfire Stories for Kids
Caution: Make sure the kids are carefully tucked in after a story-telling session at a campfire as they may need assurance, especially if your stories have found their mark.
1. Closet Friend
Age Recommendation: 8 years and above
There was a little girl who lived in a town with her parents. She always told her parents about her imaginary friend named Kelly and that she lived in her closet. She also said that Kelly sat in her chair and watched her while she was asleep. One night, while the family was watching a horror movie on television, the girl remarked, “That looks like Kelly.” When her parents asked her about Kelly, she replied, “You know Kelly, the dead girl who lives inside my closet.”
How to Tell: Keep a straight face throughout the story and make an impact when you repeat the last line when the girl describes Kelly.
2. Cemetery Garlands
Age Recommendation: 6 years and above
A young boy was challenged by his brother and his friends to visit the town cemetery on Halloween night and place garlands on each of the gravestones there. Not wanting to be picked on by his friends for being a coward, the boy walked into the graveyard at the stroke of midnight and began placing the garlands, shaking with fear. He finished all and said to himself, ”There, I’m done.” Suddenly a cold, bony hand tapped him and said, ”How about one for me?”
How to Tell: Build the drama around the boy walking into the graveyard and describe the night and whisper slowly in the end “How about one for me?”
Important Tips for Narrating Short Scary Stories for Children
It may be one thing to source haunted house stories for children and choose one to narrate, but narrating them to children is a different ball game altogether. The story-telling should be conversational and should not be a one-way monologue that will bore the kids. Here are a few tips you could implement when you have sacksful of scary stories to tell in the dark.
It is important to read and rehearse the story before you present it to the kids, especially if this is your first time.
You should use a conversational tone instead of simply reciting it. Emphasise high points where necessary and create drama with your voice.
Always sit in front of your audience, never sit beside them as the impact is reduced.
If you are around a campfire, make sure it is low and flickering, as a blazing fire will be a distraction.
Gauge the average age of your listeners and select an appropriate story accordingly.
Keep a low volume to keep the audience focused and attentive to your narration.
You may also dress up and enact a story with your spouse. Funny scary stories are the best to enact for kids who are not accustomed to scary stories.
Things to Remember While Telling Scary Stories to Kids
Each kid responds differently to scary stories. Understand the audience and increase or decrease the eeriness in your story.
Make sure the kids visit the loo before the story begins. Also, remember to ask them if they'd want you to accompany them to the restroom after the story.
At times, choose stories that the kids can differentiate from reality.
Understand what really spooks your kids out, and either avoid the story or modify it to ease the stress.
Always try to keep their innocence intact and don't scare them completely.
Kids love to hear scary stories at bedtime and while they are out camping in the wild. If you select the right stories for the right audience and keep them engaged (and scared), you are assured of an audience that will be clamouring for more.
Also Read: Exciting Bedtime Stories for kids Read more
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Introducing Cheese to Babies
Cheese not only tastes great but is also nutritious and loaded with essentials such as proteins, calories, vitamin A, D, and B12. As your baby grows older, you might want to add cheese to his diet for its taste and nutritional value. Continue reading for all the information you need to know about introducing your baby to cheese.
When Can a Baby Eat Cheese?
Most babies can be offered cheese as soon as they start chewing or gumming different foods. This usually begins around 6 to 9 months. Depending on where you are in the world, experts differ in opinion on when is a good time to start feeding cheese to babies. Some suggest waiting till the baby is eight months of age, and some say it should be given after the baby is a year old.
The hesitation is because cheese is a dairy product, and the milk proteins present in cheese are known to cause stomach issues in babies younger than a year old. However, some argue that milk proteins break down as the cheese matures and don’t cause any problems. On the other hand, some babies could be allergic to milk and dairy products. Therefore, such children should only be given cheese after discussing with their paediatrician.
Health Benefits of Cheese for Babies
Cheese is delicious as well as easy to incorporate into a wide variety of foods. Not only will your baby eat it without a fuss, but he will also get plenty of health benefits from cheese. Some of them are as follows:
Cheese is rich in calcium, which is needed for the development of healthy teeth and bones.
Cheese is rich in protein and nutrients such as Vitamin D needed for building the body.
Vegetarian families benefit a lot from cheese as it is rich in Vitamin B12 and protein, which are otherwise abundantly found in meat.
Cheese is loaded with calories that will keep your baby supplied with all the energy he needs throughout the day.
Cheese is good for teeth and is known to prevent tooth decay.
List of Safe and Unsafe Cheeses for Infants
There are different varieties of cheese to choose from when you’re looking for the ones you can feed your baby. However, not all cheeses are suitable for babies; especially, cheeses made from unpasteurized milk must be avoided altogether.
Safe cheeses for infants
Parents have to be really careful when choosing dairy products such as cheese as it certain cheeses carry listeria, which is a bacterium that can cause foodborne infections that can be fatal to babies. Therefore, it is advisable to consume cheese made out of pasteurised milk.
For those wondering what kind of cheese can a baby eat, here is a list:
Cheddar
Edam
Parmesan
Colby
Colby jack
Mozzarella
Swiss
Romano
Monetary jack
Paneer
Babybel
Red Leicester
Provolone
Jarlsberg
Cheshire
Lancashire
Gouda
Grana Padano
Here is a list of soft cheese for babies which most people avoid. However, they are perfectly okay for babies to have:
Cottage Cheese
Mascarpone
Ricotta
Cream Cheese
Cheese spreads that are made out of real cheese.
2. Cheeses that should be avoided until the baby is a year old
Here is a list of cheeses you should avoid giving to your baby till he is a year old as they are often made out of raw or unpasteurised milk:
Camembert
Brie
Chevre
Queso Fresco
Queso Blanco
Stilton
Danish Blue
Saga
Gorgonzola
Wensleydale
Roquefort
3. Avoid processed cheese
Processed cheese is not a pure form of cheese. Although it may look and taste like cheese, it is usually loaded with added flavours and emulsifiers. They are manufactured by adding flavour enhancers and preservatives to cheese to make it last longer. Therefore, try not to buy any off-the-shelf processed cheese to feed your baby as the chemicals present in it is not suitable for him. Look for natural cheeses in organic stores that are made out of natural ingredients.
How To Introduce Cheese To Babies
When you decide to introduce cheese to your baby, there are a few good ways to go about it. Remember to start with only those cheeses that have a mild taste. Sharp-tasting cheeses might taste repulsive and make the baby dislike it immediately. Here are a few methods to start with:
Melt cheese
Melt cheese over a bit of bread or crackers to feed it to him as a snack.
2. Cut Cheese into Bits
Give him tiny bits of cheese that are small enough for him to pick up. Make sure the pieces are small to avoid the risk of choking.
3. Mix with Vegetables
Melt some cheese over diced vegetables and wait for it to dry. Let it be in small bits easy enough to pick up.
4. With Eggs
Add a little cheese to scrambled eggs while preparing it.
5. With Pastas
Cream cheese for a baby can be started with pasta. It spreads well and tastes great.
Precautions To Take While Feeding Cheese To Babies
Like with any other new food that you introduce your baby to, cheese also carries a risk of allergy. Check out these precautions before you start:
Observe carefully
An allergic reaction can start as early as 20 minutes or within the first few hours. Look for symptoms such as swollen lips, redness in the eyes and face, and rashes on the skin; these are indicators of an allergic reaction. If your baby is lactose intolerant, you might see him experiencing gastric issues, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea.
2. Consult the paediatrician
If your baby is known to have allergies to dairy products or has eczema or asthma, talk to the paediatrician about feeding cheese and only do it if they permit.
3. Try different cheeses
You baby might develop a taste for one cheese and dislike the others. Therefore, if he doesn’t like any of the cheeses that you’re giving him, all is not lost. Keep trying different varieties of cheese.
Delicious Cheese Recipes for Babies
The best thing about cheese is how easily it can be incorporated into different foods that you can easily prepare. Here are some delicious cheese recipes for babies:
Cheese Omelette
Eggs and cheese are a yummy combination. To increase its nutrient quotient, add minced vegetables that your baby can easily swallow and digest.
What you will need:
One Egg
One teaspoon of milk or water
One tablespoon of shredded cheese
One teaspoon butter or oil
How to make:
Whisk the milk and egg together in a bowl.
Set the pan to medium heat and melt the butter on it. Once it stops bubbling, pour the egg mixture in the pan.
Spread the mixture evenly over the pan.
Let it cook until the mixture holds together like an omelette.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the omelette and fold it in half.
Cook for another 30 seconds.
Cut it into bite-sized bits and serve.
2. Cheese Rice
If you have already introduced your baby to rice, it’s time to make it tastier.
What you will need:
Two tablespoons of baby rice
2 carrots
100 grams of cauliflower
1 tablespoon of grated cheddar cheese
How to make:
Get the vegetables ready. Wash, peel, and slice them.
Boil the vegetables together until they are tender.
Save the water after you strain the vegetables. You’ll need about 60 ml of it to blend the vegetables.
Pour the rice into it along with the cheese and cook.
Stir the mixture until the cheese melts.
Serve warm.
3. Cheesy Pasta
Pasta is delicious, throw in a bit of cheese, and your baby will love it.
What you will need:
1 cup of cooked pasta
Half a cup of chopped soft-cooked or pureed carrots
Grated cheese that your baby likes
How to make:
Mix the chopped carrots with pasta.
Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
Serve warm.
Cheese is an excellent addition to your baby’s food. Experiment with different types to figure out what he likes. Include the different kinds of cheese in his diet to expand his taste palette and gain the healthy nutrients that cheese has to offer. Remember to consult your doctor before introducing your baby to solid foods, especially cheese, and always check for allergies before including cheese in your baby's diet.
Resources & References: Babycentre, What to Expect
Also read: 1 Year Old Baby Food Ideas Read more
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Consuming Honey While Breastfeeding
One of the greatest worries of a breastfeeding mother is her food habits. She changes many common habits while breastfeeding, such as intake of caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, etc. to provide the best nutrition to her baby. But, what about food that is usually considered healthy? What is safe to be consumed? One such food is honey, which is also known as 'molten gold' due to its high nutrient value. So, is honey safe while breastfeeding? Yes, but, with caution.
Can Breastfeeding Mothers Eat Honey?
Yes. Honey is safe and healthy to consume while breastfeeding. The reason for uncertainty regarding honey and breastfeeding is the botulism spore that may be present in honey. This is harmful to the infant only when there is direct consumption of honey. However, these spores are not transmitted to the baby through breastfeeding. This is because the spores are easily broken down and eliminated by the adult body, thus preventing any toxins from entering the bloodstream. Also, the spores are way too large to make their way through to the milk. Thus, breastfeeding mothers can eat honey as long as they take precautions to keep the infant away from direct contact with honey.
Precautions to Take While Having Honey During Breastfeeding
Sanitize your hands regularly. Take extra precautions with regards to hand hygiene after consuming honey so that the infant’s hands and lips do not come in contact with the food.
Do not apply it anywhere on your skin or breasts, as your infant may come in contact with it.
Do not, at any point, offer any honey to a baby less than one year of age - not even for religious reasons.
Opt for filtered honey instead of raw honey.
Have honey in moderation. If your family uses honey as a sweetener regularly, then you could substitute it with jaggery in certain foods.
Consume honey in lukewarm liquid and not hot liquid as hot liquids can hamper the nutrients and healthy enzymes in the honey.
Benefits of Eating Honey While Nursing
It is a natural sweetener and is healthier than sugar.
It is the best cure for a cold and sore throat.
Honey works great when combined with other food: a mixture of honey and milk at night helps in better sleep.
Honey has high levels of fructose and glucose, which provide stamina and energy.
Honey has anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties that boost the immune system.
When to Avoid Eating Honey
Honey is a healthy food that only aids in your wellness during breastfeeding. There is no scientific fact that states honey needs to be avoided in any particular phase of breastfeeding. However, it would be advisable to avoid it under certain conditions:
Do not have honey directly with your infant around. This is simply to prevent accidents.
'Mad honey', a type of honey that comes from a species of rhododendron flowers, contains grayanotoxins that make it strong and potent. It is best not to consume it regularly. Thus, read the ingredient list on the pack carefully before making a purchase.
Use local honey, unless it’s a well-known brand or a type of honey that has been prescribed for your dietary needs by your doctor.
FAQs
1. Is eating honey and cinnamon during breastfeeding safe?
A mixture of honey, milk, and cinnamon powder is great for milk stimulation. So, having honey and cinnamon is not only healthy but also an excellent choice for an increase in milk production.
2. Is it ok to have ginger and honey tea while feeding?
Yes, ginger and honey tea relieves cold and sore throat and is a better organic remedy than allopathy medicines, especially while breastfeeding.
3. Can I eat manuka honey?
Manuka honey is derived from the manuka plant found in New Zealand. It is popularly known as a wonder food as it contains several remedial properties. Manuka honey is also considered the best form of honey that can be consumed by new mothers. However, it's best to check with your doctor before consuming anything.
4. How can botulinum spores affect my baby?
When a baby younger than 1 year of age comes in direct contact or swallows these spores, the inability to digest such complex bacteria leads to colonization in the large intestine and the production of the botulinum toxin. In the initial stages, this will harm the muscle tone and lead to weakness. At the severe stage, it can cause hospitalization and permanent damage to muscle and nerves. However, this does not always happen.
5. Can botulinum spores be removed while processing honey?
No. Botulinum spores are very rarely present in honey. It is neither visible to the naked eye, nor can be removed by processing.
6. How can I protect my baby from botulinum?
Infant botulism is not just caused by food - it can also be caused by contaminated soil. The only way to protect your baby is through prevention and protection. Avoid giving honey (directly or canned) to any baby less than 12 months of age. Protect the baby from exposure to dust and soil.
Honey is a power-packed food that provides many nutrients to a breastfeeding mother. But, it is important to remember that any food can be substituted. If the idea of consuming honey stresses you, it is best to avoid it and substitute it with other foods. Breastfeeding will never harm the child; in fact, it is recommended that you nurse the baby often if he is infected by infant botulism. Breastfeeding mothers have to only remember to be cautious to be able to protect and nurture the baby.
Resources and References: The Bump
Also Read: Most Common Breastfeeding Problems & Their Solutions Read more
Suggested for you
Neonatal Hepatitis: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
The liver is an organ located under the rib-cage, to the right side of the abdominal cavity. It has the crucial function of filtering out toxins from the bloodstream, synthesizing proteins, and producing bile which is necessary for breaking down fats in the small intestine. Hepatitis is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the liver. Here, inflammation of the liver occurs due to a variety of reasons, including viral infections. There are five different types of hepatitis, each caused by a different type of virus. Treatment will depend on the type of hepatitis as well as taking into consideration whether it is chronic or acute.
What is Neonatal Hepatitis?
Neonatal hepatitis is when inflammation of the liver occurs in infants. It can refer to various types liver disease that afflicts babies between one and two months after birth. There are several reasons why this happens which will be discussed below.
What Causes Neonatal Hepatitis?
Mothers pass on Hepatitis B and C to their kids while giving birth. The causes of neonatal hepatitis cannot be pinpointed in about 80% of the cases, but could be due to one or more of the following:
Viral infections contracted at birth or shortly after caused by cytomegalovirus, rubella (German measles) or hepatitis A, B or C viruses
Metabolism problems due to the immaturity of the liver
Stress put on liver due to other health issues
Idiopathic giant cell hepatitis where abnormal groups of liver cells fuse together
What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis in Newborns?
Hepatitis can be present without any visible symptoms. But when symptoms show up, they can be quite distinctive and include the following:
Yellow eyes and skin, also known as jaundice
Fever
Enlarged liver and spleen
Failure to gain weight
Below average growth
Elevated liver enzymes
Muscle ache and abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
In severe cases of neonatal hepatitis, symptoms such as easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, sepsis, and fluid accumulation within the abdomen might occur.
Is Neonatal Hepatitis Contagious?
Some types of hepatitis are contagious while others are not. If the disease has been caused by Hepatitis A virus, it can be contagious as this virus is spread through infected food and drink. But hepatitis caused by virus B and C is usually transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. These are the types of hepatitis virus that are generally passed on to infants from their mothers during birth. Thus, neonatal hepatitis is not considered contagious.
Diagnosis
In neonatal hepatitis, the method of exclusion is followed before arriving at a diagnosis. Thus, all other causes of liver disease affecting infants must be first ruled out. The following are some examinations and tests that can help your doctor arrive at a diagnosis:
1. Blood tests
Different blood-tests, such as liver enzyme tests and prothrombin time blood test, are used to identify the various forms of hepatitis.
2. Physical Examination
By conducting a physical exam of your child’s body, your doctor might be able to locate an enlarged liver or spleen.
3. Other Tests
A liver biopsy, ultrasound, and a nuclear medicine test known as hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan are some of the other tests used to diagnose neonatal hepatitis.
What Are The Complications?
When neonatal hepatitis goes unchecked, it can lead to various complications such as:
1. Encephalitis
This is characterized by poor brain development and cerebral palsy and is caused by the cytomegalovirus.
2. Liver Cirrhosis
Nearly 20% of infants who contract hepatitis at birth are at risk of developing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
3. Vitamin Deficiency
If the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, and K gets interrupted, it can lead to various health impairments such as reduced bone development or rickets, poor vision and growth, skin changes as well as poor healing of wounds.
4. Skin Diseases
It can impact the liver’s ability to get rid of toxins in bile which can cause sustained skin irritation.
5. Liver Cholestasis
This can lead to reduced ability of the intestines to absorb vitamins.
Treatment
Neonatal hepatitis has no specific treatment, and vitamin supplements are usually prescribed to improve baby’s condition. Fever is normally controlled with the help of paracetamol or acetaminophen. There is a disruption in the flow of bile from the liver of jaundiced infants and supplementation with fat-soluble vitamins might help promote adequate growth and development. Infant formulas that contain easily digestible fats may be prescribed for newborn hepatitis. Most types of hepatitis including idiopathic neonatal hepatitis tend to improve in about six months. But, if the infection is being caused by Hepatitis B or C virus, it is likely to lead to cirrhosis which needs a liver transplant.
Determining the underlying cause is crucial in the treatment of hepatitis. In many cases, providing good care and nutrition coupled with extensive follow-up care is all that is required to ensure a complete recovery. Once hepatitis has been resolved, most infants can resume their normal diet, though medication that improves bile flow might have to be continued for a while.
Disclaimer: This information is just a guide and not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.
Also Read:
Hepatitis B Vaccine for Babies
Jaundice in Children Read more
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Suggested for you
Stuffed Bread Dahi Vada
This recipe is an innovative twist on the traditional lentil based dahi vada. While it is much easier to make this bread version, there is no compromise on the taste. We have elevated its health quotient by using freshly prepared paneer and sprouted moong in its stuffing. So, the next time your kid pesters you for something to eat, prepare this instant ‘Stuffed Bread Dahi Vada’
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
6 People
15-20 Minutes
5-10 Minutes
Ingredients
12 white bread slices, cut in circles
For The Filling
½ freshly prepared paneer
¼ cup sprouted moong
2 tbsp chopped coriander
Salt to taste
½ tsp ginger chili paste
1 tsp oil
1 tsp chaat masala
For Dahi Vada Masala
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
For Garnishing
200 ml yogurt
Salt to taste
1 tbsp sugar
Tamarind chutney
Green chutney
2 tbsp chopped coriander
Method
Step 1
Heat oil in a pan and add sprouted moong. Cook it for 2-3 minutes such that it is semi cooked. Let it cool.
Step 2
Now, add the cooked moong along with rest of the ingredients for the filling and mix to prepare the stuffing.
Step 3
Take a slice of the bread; place about 1 tbsp of the prepared filling in the middle. Wet the edges with little yogurt. Top it with another slice and pinch the edges to seal it. Repeat with the rest of the slices to get 6 stuffed bread vadas.
Step 4
Into the yoghurt, add salt, sugar and whisk till smooth. Mix all the spices listed for the dahi vada masala.
Step 5
In a serving bowl, place a prepared bread vada and top it up with the whisked yogurt. Garnish with little chopped coriander leaves, half a teaspoon of tamarind chutney and green chutney followed by a sprinkling of the dahi vada masala.
Step 6
Your stuffed bread dahi vada is ready! Serve and enjoy.
Nutritional Information
Calories
158 K cal
Proteins
10.6 g
Fats
2.8 g
Carbohydrates
20.6 g
Cholesterol
7 mg
Sodium
446 mg
Potassium
250 mg
Tip: Instead of paneer, you can also try using potato in the filling.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert water leak from baby eye....what is that
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. blocked naso lacrimal duct kk. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. loop of cord is seen round the neck in growth scan is it a problem at the time of delivery
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
58 mins ago
A. single Loop okay no problem wait. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Puja Kumari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
59 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert My baby is 4months old he is having fever after vaccination . how many days would the fever remain? can I give him medicine
Puja Kumari
Trying To Conceive
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A. vomiting ka kya karan ho sakta
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
34 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Can we have sex during pregnancy and is it safe?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
33 mins ago
A. okay no problem if you don't have any risk factors ko. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
25 mins ago
Q. Dr meri baby 12 month running hai uska weight 6 kg hai uska growth nahi ho pa Raha hai to kya kare or over active hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
24 mins ago
A. ok see c. if the baby is not having proper height and weight it means that baby is having failure to thrive baby needs investigations like TSH and other related test to find out the reason
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 mins ago
Q. mere twins baby hai boy nd girl one month 8 days when I check eye and ear which month
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
11 mins ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken jjand the expert will give you the proper answer .
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