First foods database
🍯 Honey for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat honey? No, not before 12 months. Honey can occasionally contain bacterial spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness in babies. After their first birthday honey is fine in small amounts, though it counts as a free sugar.
Good source of: Carbohydrate
How to serve honey by age
6 to 9 months
Not yet. Do not give honey to babies under 12 months in any form: not raw, not baked into food, not on a dummy and not as a cough remedy. For natural sweetness, mash in ripe banana, blend a soft date or stir stewed apple through porridge instead.
9 to 12 months
Still not yet. Check labels, as honey turns up in cereals, cereal bars and some baby snacks.
12 months and up
From 12 months small amounts are fine, such as a thin drizzle on plain yoghurt or porridge. Keep it to mealtimes, as sticky sugars cling to teeth, and brush teeth twice a day.
Choking safety
Runny honey is not a choking hazard, but it is very sticky. Spread it thinly, and avoid chunks of honeycomb for toddlers, which are chewy and waxy.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Never under 12 months, even cooked or baked.
- Honey is a free sugar; keep it occasional to protect teeth.
- Manuka and raw honeys carry the same risk.
Goes well with
Recipes with honey
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat honey?
Can babies eat honey? No, not before 12 months. Honey can occasionally contain bacterial spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness in babies. After their first birthday honey is fine in small amounts, though it counts as a free sugar.
Why can babies not have honey?
Honey can contain spores of bacteria that can grow in a baby's immature gut and cause infant botulism. By 12 months the gut is better able to cope.
Is honey in baked goods safe for babies?
It is still best avoided under 12 months, because normal baking does not reliably destroy the spores.
What can I use instead of honey for a baby?
Mashed banana, blended dates, stewed apple or pear, and spices such as cinnamon all add sweetness to baby food without honey or added sugar.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).