When is a Good Time to Introduce a Baby to Manuka Honey?

Information on Feeding Babies Honey

Part of the fun of having a child and being a parent is seeing what types of foods the child enjoys. There are some guidelines put in place by pediatricians as to when babies can begin consuming certain foods as well as when it is time to wean them from formula and begin giving them more solid foods. Manuka honey is a food that parents will often consider giving to children since it does have a sweet factor but not many concerns around choking or allergies. But, when is the best time to start introducing honey to a baby?

Generally, pediatricians suggest to wait to give babies honey until they are at least 12 months or older. The reason for this is that honey can contain spores of bacteria that are known to lead to botulism. This does not mean, however, that the honey is contaminated – these bacteria spores occur naturally and usually do not affect children over the age of one and adults who have a normal immune system. Since babies digestive and immune systems are still developing, this bacteria can be harmful and even deadly.

Once your baby has passed the one-year mark, honey is a perfectly acceptable food to eat. Honey, in fact, can have a number of different benefits for children over one and toddlers – not only is it a great way to naturally sweeten your child’s food without added sugars or preservatives (considering you are using raw, organic honey) it can also be a source of sustained energy for growing children while also providing them with a number of essential vitamins and minerals in a simple and tasty way.

In addition to these great health benefits, honey is also suitable because it is a choke free food that parents do not have to worry about feeding their children. While this is all well and good, it is important to know that for some children who have allergic reactions to pollen or bee stings, consuming raw honey may be a cause for concern. Make sure to check with your pediatrician or family doctor if you child has one of these allergies to help avoid any severe symptoms including anaphylactic shock.

Ultimately, feeding honey to young children is acceptable as long as they are over the age of one and do not have any underlying allergies to pollens or bees – with those issues aside, honey can actually have a number of benefits, especially for toddlers. It is important to remember, when feeding babies honey or any kind of solid food, that their immune systems and digestive tracts are not fully developed. Should you be mindful of this information, there should be no issues introducing honey to your young child.