Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum, spores that can cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially serious illness. Babies under 12 months of age are most at risk, so wait until after baby’s first birthday to introduce honey. Is honey healthy for babies? No. Honey is not a safe food for babies because of the risk of infant botulism. If a child is older than 12 months of age, it’s generally accepted to be fine to offer a small amount of honey from a reliable source. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends small amounts of honey (2 to 5 ml) for the treatment of cough in children older than age one. When can babies eat honey? While it is considered safe to introduce honey after baby’s first birthday, it can be beneficial to wait until closer to the 2nd birthday to introduce sugar and sweeteners (including agave, date syrup, and maple syrup). In excess, sweeteners like honey can reduce the diversity of foods a child is interested in eating and even increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, dental caries, and negatively impact cardiovascular health. Symptoms of infant botulism include (but not limited to): Constipation. Eyelids sag or partially close. Infant appears "floppy." Weak gag and sucking reflex. Loss of head control. Loss of facial expression. Paralysis that spreads downward. Respiratory failure. All honey has one thing in common: sugar. What honey lacks in protein and fat, it makes up for in carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars that fuel the body with energy. Honey does contain more nutrients than refined sugars, but sugar is still sugar—and too much of it can contribute to health problems.6 If you want to sweeten baby’s food, consider using fresh fiber-containing fruits, such as banana, figs, strawberries, or another naturally sweet fruit. Is honey a common choking hazard for babies? It can be, if served on its own or if it is coating another food that is challenging to chew (such as raw apple). To reduce the risk, wait until 12 months of age and limit the amount of honey you are serving and/or mix it well into other foods. Is honey a common allergen? No. Honey allergies are rare, though not unheard of. As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals. Although honey is often promoted as a home remedy for seasonal allergies, a study has demonstrated no difference in patients who ingested raw honey, commercially processed honey, or a honey-flavored placebo. In rare cases, honey may actually increase allergy symptoms in individuals with pollen or bee venom allergies when eaten or applied to the skin. References: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/babies_and_honey_dont_go_together https://solidstarts.com/foods/honey/ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/botulism.html https://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/when-can-my-baby-eat-honey/
