Honey has been a beloved treat for generations, and it’s no secret that it has many health benefits. However, when it comes to babies, there are many questions about whether it’s safe to give them honey or when can babies have honey?
As a parent or caregiver, you want to make sure that you’re making the right choices for your little one. In this blog, we’ll explore when can babies have honey, the risks and benefits, and the best ways to incorporate it into their meals. So, whether you’re a new parent or just curious about honey’s effects on infants, keep reading to learn more.
When Can Babies Have Honey?
Avoid giving your child honey in any form until they are one year old. Do not mix honey with meals, water, or other substances. Also, avoid processed foods that contain honey, such as honey crackers, honeycomb cereal, green tea with honey, and honey flavorings. Avoid essential honey products such as honey cough syrups or honey pacifiers.
Parents consider honey a more natural option for babies when looking for sugar substitutes. It’s better to introduce honey only when your baby is one year old. Babies younger than one year old can get botulism and food poisoning because it’s such a form of sugar.
Infant Botulism and its Symptoms
Giving honey to babies less than one-year-old can lead to infant botulism, a rare but dangerous disease caused by spores of the bacterium that causes infant botulism. The spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum can multiply in your baby’s gut, producing a toxic substance that causes botulism in kids.
Babies younger than six months old are most commonly affected by botulism. In most cases, adults and older kids consist of intestinal defenses that stop the spores from sprouting and proliferating. The spores that cause botulism can come from more than just honey. Infant botulism symptoms can range in extremity from mild to severe and include:
- General sickness and fragility
- Slow feeding
- Infrequent constipation
- Absence of expression
- Dry heaving
How To Present Honey To Your Babies?
It’s recommended not to rush the process of when can babies have honey. Moreover, it only takes a little honey that can be added to their favorite food, which is enough to introduce them to it. It’s pretty easy to add honey to a baby’s meal; you can use the four-way strategy to check whether your child responds to it.
If your child is older than a year, you can use this method by giving them honey and waiting four days before giving them the next honey dose.
Moreover, if you see any kind of reaction, get in touch with your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Try any of the following methods, if you want to give honey to your babies :
- Add a little amount of honey to the oats
- Spread honey into bread
- Add honey to the yoghurt
- Blend honey into smoothies
- When making any waffles or pancakes, mix honey rather than any syrup
Why Babies Can’t Have Honey?
According to research, honey is not recommended for babies as it increases the risk of botulism, an uncommon but deadly sickness. Botulism is a rare but dangerous disease that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of botulism include constipation, weak crying, weakened muscles, etc.
If you’re wondering why babies shouldn’t consume honey, you should be aware of the risks involved. Honey’s germs are too powerful for a baby’s developing digestive system, which can cause significant problems in the future. For this reason, newborns under the age of 12 months shouldn’t have it.
The primary risk of introducing honey to your babies comes in the following ways:
- Slower feeding
- Breathing issues
- Diminished movement
- Highly weakness
It is very important to inform your baby’s doctor if they have consumed honey, as it can cause specific botulism symptoms such as lethargy and irritability. A correct diagnosis will ensure that your child receives the right treatment.
FAQs About Honey For Babies
Question: Is it okay to provide honey to babies as first food?
Answer: Honey is not a good choice for babies as a first meal. It can lead to botulism infection. Healthcare professionals recommend delaying the introduction of honey until your baby is one year old.
Question: Can babies have honey every day?
Answer: Honey is considered a good sugar ingredient and should, therefore, be consumed mildly. It is recommended that honey be consumed only a few times a week.
Question: Is honey poisonous for babies?
Answer: Honey isn’t a poisonous ingredient but it may acquire a certain amount of bacteria that can cause babies serious diseases. Therefore, it is recommended not to serve honey to babies until they are over a year old.
In summary, honey is said to have many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, curing coughs, promoting wound healing, and much more. For infants, however, you must wait until the child is one year old. You must not give your baby honey even with meals before they reach the 12-month threshold. It is, therefore, essential to consider your baby’s age before giving them honey with meals or as a food supplement.
Consult a pediatrician if you are still unsure about when babies can have honey or other food items that you would love them to try as soon as possible.
