Honey consumption by infants

I want to know if I can add some amount of honey to my 10-month-old baby’s feed.

Ajike (by SMS)

Exposing your baby to a variety of new foods and textures is one of the most exciting parts of the first year.

Honey is sweet and mild, so parents and caregivers may think it’s a good choice as a spread on toast or a natural way to sweeten other items. However, experts recommend waiting until after your baby’s first birthday to introduce honey into their diet.

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This includes mass-produced honey, raw and unpasteurised honey, and local honey. This food rule also applies to all foods and baked goods containing honey.

The primary risk of introducing honey too soon is infant botulism. Babies under 6 months of age are at the highest risk. While this condition is rare, most of the cases reported are diagnosed in the United States.

A baby can get botulism by eating Clostridium botulinum spores found in soil, honey, and honey products. These spores turn into bacteria in the bowels and produce harmful neurotoxins in the body.