Can babies eat it?
Can babies eat Honey?
Avoid honey before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
Choose a safer alternative or wait until the age/risk changes.At a glance
Avoid before 12 months.
Avoid honey before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
Not recommended for infants under 1 year.
The main concern is infant botulism risk, not texture.
Texture, shape, and safety
Not recommended for infants under 1 year.
No safe serving shape for babies under 12 months.
The main concern is infant botulism risk, not texture.
Not treated as a common major allergen, but it is unsafe before 12 months.
How guidance changes by age
- Before 6 months: Before 6 months, use pediatric guidance. Readiness signs matter more than the calendar.
- Around 6 months: Avoid honey before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
- 7 to 8 months: Avoid honey before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
- 9 to 11 months: Avoid honey before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
- 12 months plus: After 12 months, honey is no longer restricted for infant botulism in ordinary use.
What to do next
Use mashed fruit for sweetness instead.
Safer alternative: Mashed banana, applesauce, or pear puree can add sweetness without honey.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Serving before baby shows readiness signs or while baby is reclined.
- Leaving round, hard, slippery, sticky, or chewy shapes unchanged.
- Adding honey for babies under 12 months or relying on added salt and sugar.
- Trying a common allergen for the first time when baby is unwell, rushed, or not supervised.
When to ask a pediatric clinician
Not treated as a common major allergen, but it is unsafe before 12 months.
Ask for individual guidance if baby has severe eczema, a known food allergy, prior reactions, swallowing concerns, poor growth, prematurity, or another medical condition that affects feeding.
Sources reviewed
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Retrieved 2026-06-16
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children Retrieved 2026-06-16