A common question is whether babies can eat honey. Honey is soft and sweet, making it seem like a good treat for a baby. However, eating honey can be life-threatening for a baby. Therefore, giving honey to babies should be avoided entirely. In this blog post, we explain why babies shouldn't eat honey and from what age you can give your baby honey.
Why can't a baby have honey?
Honey should not be given to babies because it contains the botulism bacteria. Because babies' immune systems are not yet fully developed, even a small amount of botulism can make them seriously ill. Symptoms of botulism in babies include muscle weakness, poor sucking, and weak crying. This can progress to severe muscle paralysis. Although honey can contain only small amounts of this bacteria, you want to prevent the baby from becoming infected 100% of the time. Therefore, if a baby accidentally eats honey, the risk of botulism infection is small. In addition to honey, avoid consuming syrup and products containing honey.
From when can a baby have honey?
It's safe for babies to eat honey from the age of one. From this age on, children have enough gut flora to ensure a brief survival of even a small amount of botulism. The risks are then just as great as when you eat honey yourself. From this age, they can start to experience the unique flavor that honey offers.
Can you eat honey when pregnant?
A common follow-up question is whether you can eat honey during pregnancy. The answer is yes. It's perfectly safe to eat honey during pregnancy, and your unborn baby is not at risk of botulism. If you'd like to know more, we'd like to refer you to our blog post: Can you eat honey during pregnancy?