CLINCH COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - According to the Cleveland Clinic, infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that affects babies under 1 year old. It often begins with subtle symptoms like constipation, poor feeding, or a weak cry, but can progress to muscle weakness and breathing difficulties. Early treatment is critical, and most babies make a full recovery with prompt care.

A Georgia mother is urging parents to trust their instincts after her three-month-old son spent weeks in the hospital battling a rare but serious condition known as infant botulism.

Sierra Smith says her son, Stetson, started showing subtle signs something was wrong in early December. At first, she noticed he wasn’t finishing his bottles. “He was floppy. He wouldn’t eat. He wasn’t acting like himself,” Smith said.

After a visit to the pediatrician, Smith was told her baby likely had a cold and would improve with time. But Stetson’s condition continued to decline.

“He couldn’t hold his head up. He couldn’t smile. He couldn’t even cry,” she said. “And that was really big to me. Something’s wrong if you can’t cry.”

Smith took Stetson to multiple emergency rooms, where she says her concerns were repeatedly dismissed. One hospital diagnosed him with constipation. Despite fluids and monitoring, Smith says her son kept getting worse.

“I had to beg them for two days to send him to Savannah,” she said. Once transferred, doctors began searching for answers. Infant botulism, a condition not commonly seen in the area, was eventually suspected. While test results can take a week or longer, doctors chose to begin treatment immediately.

“That decision probably saved his life,” Smith said.

Stetson’s oxygen levels dropped into the 70s, and doctors warned he was close to needing a ventilator. The life-saving medication used to treat infant botulism, known as BabyBIG, had to be transported from South Carolina. A 12-hour wait Smith describes as agonizing.

“He was still declining while we waited,” she said. After receiving the medication and undergoing placement of a central line in his chest, Stetson slept through most of the first day. The next morning, everything changed. “He woke up smiling, laughing, and he’s just gotten better ever since,” Smith said.

Stetson still experiences some lingering side effects, including constipation, and attends physical therapy. His mother says doctors are encouraged by his progress.

“They said he was actually advanced before all of this,” she said.

Now back home, Smith describes Stetson as a happy baby who loves tummy time, watching TV, and playing with his older brothers.

“He’ll twist his whole neck just to watch the TV,” she laughed.

Doctors are unsure how Stetson contracted the illness. Infant botulism can be caused by exposure to bacterial spores found in dust, soil, or construction materials. Smith says there is nearby road and housing construction close to their home. She also confirmed Stetson was breastfed until about a week before getting sick and did not consume honey or the formula linked to recent outbreaks.

Smith says her biggest message to other parents is simple: trust yourself. “You know your child better than anyone,” she said. “If you feel like something isn’t right, keep pushing. Go to another hospital if you have to. Next time, I’ll go straight to a children’s hospital.”

While Stetson spent his first Christmas in the hospital, Smith says she’s grateful for the outcome and hopeful that sharing their story will help another family recognize the signs sooner.

“It’s the greatest thing being a mom,” she said. “But when they’re sick, it’s the worst feeling in the world.”

WALB’s Taylor Lewis will have more on the diagnosis and baby Stetson’s condition.

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