What to Feed Baby Honey Bees

Warning

Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum, spores that can cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness. Babies under 12 months of age are most at risk, so wait until after baby's first birthday to introduce honey.

Is honey safe for babies?

No. Never give honey to a baby, even if it's been sterilized. Honey is associated with an increased risk of infant botulism—a rare but potentially fatal condition caused byClostridium botulinum spores, which colonize a baby's gut and produce toxins that attack the nervous system. ^{1 2}

Infant botulism affects babies under 12 months of age while the gut microbiome is still developing. ^{3 4} Even though some producers sterilize honey to reduce the risk of contamination, there are inconsistent regulations in the global market that call into question the safety of this beloved sweetener, even when it's treated. ⁵

When can babies eat honey?

While it is considered safe to introduce honey after your baby's first birthday, it can be beneficial to wait until closer to the 2nd birthday to introduce sugar and sweeteners (including agave, date syrup, and maple syrup). In excess, sweeteners like honey can reduce the diversity of foods your child is interested in eating and even increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes and negatively impact cardiovascular health. ⁶

Infants have an innate preference for sweetness, so it's important to help your child develop a palate for foods that do not contain added sugar. ⁷  Avoiding added sugar and sweeteners in the early years may help your little one learn to love savory flavors as well as naturally sweet whole foods like fruit and vegetables.

Got a jar of honey that has crystallized and hardened? Put the container in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. The solids will melt into liquid gold.

Amelia, 14 months, tastes honeycomb for the first time.

Río, 17 months, eats honey and mascarpone cheese on a slice of sourdough bread.

Max, 22 months, tastes honey (from honeycomb) for the first time.

Is honey healthy for babies?

No. Honey is not a safe food for babies because it can put your child at risk for infant botulism. If your child is older than 12 months of age, it's generally accepted to be okay to offer a small amount of honey from a reliable source. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends small amounts of honey (2 to 5 ml) for the treatment of cough in children older than age one. ⁸  Based on recent research, it's our professional opinion that it is best to wait until after the 2nd birthday to regularly use honey and other sweeteners into your child's diet. ⁹

Once you are ready to introduce honey, there are hundreds of options to try, each with a different flavor that reflect the bee's diet—from lavender, to orange blossom, to sage. The nutrient profile varies widely depending on the bee's diet and the form of honey; for example, raw honey can offer more antioxidants than processed honey. ¹⁰ There's even research that suggests that some honey can have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral powers, but the verdict is still out on most of its medicinal uses. ¹¹

No matter which type you choose, all honey has one thing in common: sugar. What honey lacks in protein and fat, it makes up for in carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars that fuel the body with energy. Honey may be an ideal natural sweetener because it contains more nutrients than refined sugars, but sugar is sugar—and too much of it can contribute to negative health problems. ¹²  If you want to sweeten your baby's food, consider using fresh fiber-containing fruits, such as banana, figs, strawberries, or another naturally sweet fruit.

Finally, try to purchase honey from a reliable source as some honey contains contaminants. Bees are pollinators that move freely from blossom to blossom, which means their activity is hard to trace. As a result, honey can be contaminated with a wide range of pesticides, fungicides, heavy metals, bacteria, antibiotics, and even radioactive materials in the environment in which the bees live. ¹³  To complicate matters, there is a widespread practice of mixing honey with corn syrup during processing to increase yield and profit. ^{14 15}

Can toddlers eat honeycomb?

Yes, but in moderation and with some caution. Honeycomb contains honey, beeswax, bee pollen, and other components (such as propolis and royal jelly). ^{16 17} Those who have pollen allergies may have allergic reactions to honeycomb. ¹⁸ Additionally, in some cases, beeswax, propolis, and/or royal jelly, which are present in varying amounts in honeycomb, can also cause allergic reactions that have ranged from mild to severe. ^{19 20 21 22}

The waxy component of honeycomb that is mainly made of beeswax may have beneficial health properties such as supporting liver and heart health, but consistently eating large amounts of honeycomb can be associated with stomach blockages, so avoid offering in large amounts. ^{23 24 25} Because of this waxy consistency, honeycomb can take on a gum-like consistency in the mouth and can be a choking hazard. Cutting the honey into smaller pieces and making sure toddler fully chews and swallows the honeycomb before moving onto the next bite can help reduce this risk. Lastly, honey is rich in sugars and although they are natural, it is best to limit sugar intake for toddlers, children, and adults alike. Bottom line: If you are positive there is no allergy and your child is 12 months or older, a little honeycomb for fun is okay.

Is honey a common choking hazard for babies?

It can be, if served on its own or if it is coating another food that is challenging to chew (such as raw apple). To reduce the risk, limit the amount of honey you are serving and/or mix it well into other foods.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Is honey a common allergen?

No. Honey allergies are rare, though not unheard of. ²⁶ As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity on its own for the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Although honey is often promoted as a home remedy for seasonal allergies, a study has demonstrated no difference in patients who ingested raw honey, commercially processed honey, or a honey-flavored placebo. ²⁷  In rare cases, honey may actually increase allergy symptoms in individuals with pollen or bee venom allergies when eaten or applied to the skin. ^{28 29}

How should you introduce honey to babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

6 to 12 months old: Avoid due to the risk of infant botulism.

12 to 24 months old: Consider waiting. While it is safe to introduce honey after your baby's first birthday, honey is packed with sugar—and this is a great time to focus on expanding your baby's palate with more savory flavors.

24 months old+: Go time! Drizzle a small amount of honey on top of foods like bread with nut butter, oatmeal, or yogurt, or mix into foods like sauces or smoothies.

For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.

Recipe: Bruschetta with Ricotta & Honey (24 mos+)*

Ingredients

• 1 slice sourdough bread
• 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon honey

Directions

1. Toast the bread in a toaster, on a skillet, or in a preheated oven until crisp.
2. Spread the ricotta cheese on top of the toasted bread.
3. Drizzle the oil, lemon juice, and honey on top.
4. Cut the bread into age-appropriate sizes before serving.

*This recipe contains allergens (dairy and wheat).

Flavor Pairings

Honey varies greatly in taste. Some varieties are grassy and floral, while others are nutty and smoky, but sweetness is the thru-line across all types. Honey is a popular substitute for refined sugar in bread and other baked goods, but try pairing it with whole foods to balance flavors, from tangy cheeses like goat cheese, mascarpone, or ricotta; to tart fruits like apple, cranberry, or pineapple; to naturally sweet vegetables like beets, carrots, or yams; to piquant foods like jalapeno peppers or acidic foods like tomatoes. There's a reason some people like to drizzle honey on pizza!

Reviewed by

J. Truppi, MSN, CNS

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC

S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. (allergy section)

R. Ruiz, MD Board-Certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist

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