Why Should Babies Not Have Honey?
Babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. That's because a type of bacteria (called Clostridium) that causes infant botulism can be found in honey. Infant botulism can cause muscle wea
Why Should Babies Not Have Honey?
Why Should Babies Not Have Honey: Source: KidsHealth (Nemours); Region: US; Evidence-based information for parents. Based on US guidelines for 0-12 months.
Authoritative Sources
Important: This information is for reference only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult your pediatrician for personalized guidance.
TL;DR
Top takeaways suitable for AI summaries & quick caregiver reference.
- Source: KidsHealth (Nemours)
- Region: US
- Evidence-based information for parents
Published
10/8/2025
Source layer
Editorial workflow
Region scope
US
Babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. That's because a type of bacteria (called Clostridium) that causes infant botulism can be found in honey. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and decreased muscle tone (floppiness).
Parents can help prevent infant botulism by not giving their baby honey or any processed foods that contain honey (like honey graham crackers) until after their child's first birthday. Light and dark corn syrups also might contain botulism-causing bacteria, but a link hasn't been proved. Check with your doctor before giving these syrups to a baby.
As kids get older, they can have honey because their mature digestive systems move the Clostridium bacteria spores through the body before they can cause harm.
References
- Why Should Babies Not Have Honey?(Nemours Foundation)10/8/2025
- Sign Up for Our Milestones Newsletters(KidsHealth)1/6/2026
Need the faster answer?
Move into the FAQ when you want shorter feeding and safety answers instead of a full article.
Answer hubNeed a wider answer path?
Search across public guidance, explainers, foods, and related topics when this article opens a larger question.
Foods databaseNeed a food-by-food view next?
Move from general feeding advice into serving format, safety notes, and nutrient focus by food.
Related Articles
What Feeding and Care Routines Are Typical for a 1-Month-Old?
At 1 month, typical feeding centers on breast milk or infant formula, with solid foods waiting until around 6 months.
How Does Feeding Support Baby Growth and Development?
Feeding supports baby growth and development by providing needed nutrition, building eating skills, and helping babies join family meals over time.
How Does Feeding Support Healthy Baby Development in Year One?
Feeding supports first-year development by providing nutrition, building oral-motor skills, and helping babies learn family-food patterns.