Our Short Answer
There’s no need to worry! While it’s technically safe to introduce honey to your baby once they turn one year old, it’s generally advised to wait until they’re at least two years old or older.
This is because there isn’t a pressing need to offer honey at such an early stage, especially if other nutritious options are available.
Although honey does have some nutritional benefits, it’s also high in simple sugars which can negatively affect your baby’s health and potentially encourage a preference for sweet foods early on.
For these reasons, it’s best to hold off on offering honey until your baby is older.
- Recommended read: Baby Led Weaning: Ultimate Guide
Honey’s Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
|---|---|
| Proteins | 0.3g |
| Carbs | 82.4g (mainly sugars) |
| Fats | 0g |
| Iron | 0.4mg |
| Vitamins | Trace amounts of B vitamins |
| Minerals | Small amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium |
When Can Babies Eat Honey?
Babies can safely start consuming honey once they reach the age of 1 year old.
This is because their digestive systems are more mature and able to handle the possible presence of Clostridium botulinum spores.
But as we said before, waiting as long as possible is better.
Is Honey Good For Babies?
While honey provides some benefits, the cons outweigh the pros when we are talking about babies.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Natural sweetener: Honey can sweeten foods without using refined sugars. | ⚠️ Risk of infant botulism: Babies under 1 year old risk developing infant botulism from honey consumption. |
| Antioxidants: Honey contains antioxidants that may be beneficial for overall health. | High sugar content: Honey is high in sugar, and excessive sugar intake should be avoided for babies and young children. |
How to Offer Honey to Your Baby
Mix a small amount of honey with other foods, such as yogurt or pureed fruit, to introduce the flavor.
Spread a thin layer of honey on toast or crackers as a snack.
Stir honey into oatmeal or other warm cereals for a natural sweetener.
- These are very simple ideas but don’t overcomplicate things.
Simple things are the ones that work best!
How Often Should Your Baby Eat Honey?
Once your baby is over 1 year old, you can offer honey occasionally as a natural sweetener in moderation. We recommend a teaspoon once every four or five days, ideally once a week.
Avoid giving honey daily or in large quantities, as excessive sugar consumption can harm your child’s health.
Our Favorite Honey Recipe For Babies
Roasted Honey Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes for Babies
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 Baking sheet or air fryer basket
- Oven or Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon Ceylon
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, cinnamon, and olive oil.
- Add the sweet potato cubes to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Spread the sweet potato cubes on a baking sheet or air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Roast in the oven or air fryer for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly golden.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving to your baby. Cut into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while honey provides some nutritional benefits as a natural sweetener, it’s essential to be aware of its potential risks for babies.
Babies can safely begin to consume honey once they turn 1 year old; however, waiting until they are at least two years old or older is generally recommended.
You can introduce honey to your little one by blending a small quantity with other foods, lightly spreading it on toast or crackers, or incorporating it into oatmeal or warm cereals.
Always remember to give honey in moderation, avoiding excessive sugar consumption that could negatively impact your child’s health.
Ultimately, various nutritious alternatives are available, so it isn’t necessary to introduce honey early.
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
