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Honey for Babies: When and How to Introduce It

This is one to wait on. No honey before 12 months, in any form, including honey baked into muffins or stirred into anything.

When to introduce: After 12 months
Common allergen?: No (not a common allergen)
Texture: Thick, sticky liquid
Key nutrients: Sugars (not a nutrient babies need)

When can babies eat honey?

Honey feels wholesome, so this rule surprises a lot of parents. Before 12 months, honey can carry spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness, and those spores survive baking and cooking. There is no safe amount and no safe preparation until your baby’s first birthday.

How to prepare honey, by age

Under 12 monthsDo not give honey in any form, including honey baked or cooked into food. Cooking does not destroy the spores.

12 months+A thin scrape stirred into oatmeal or yogurt is fine now. Babies do not need added sweeteners, so keep it occasional.

18 months+Honey on toast or in cooking is fine. It is still sticky and clings to teeth, so offer water and brush after.

Is honey safe? Choking & prep

Never give honey to a baby under 12 months old. This includes raw honey, pasteurized honey, and honey baked or cooked into food, because the spores that cause infant botulism survive heat. Infant botulism can cause weakness, poor feeding, and trouble breathing, and it needs urgent medical care. After 12 months, a baby’s gut can handle the spores and honey is safe.

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Nutrition

Honey is essentially sugar and offers nothing your baby needs nutritionally. Treat it as an occasional flavor once your child is over one, not a daily food.

Goes well with

Yogurt · Oatmeal · Bread

Storage & freezing

Store honey sealed at room temperature, away from heat. It keeps almost indefinitely and may crystallize, which is normal. Never dip a used spoon back into the jar.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have honey?

Not until after 12 months, without exception. Before the first birthday, honey in any form carries a risk of infant botulism, so wait until your baby is over one.

What about honey baked into bread or crackers?

Still not safe under 12 months. Baking and cooking do not destroy the botulism spores, so honey baked into muffins, bread, graham crackers, or teething biscuits is off limits until after the first birthday. Check ingredient labels.

My baby ate a little honey by accident. What should I do?

Watch closely for constipation, weakness, a weak cry, poor feeding, or trouble breathing over the following days, and call your doctor if you are worried or notice any of these. Infant botulism can take time to appear, so do not wait it out alone if something seems off.

Is honey a healthier sweetener for my baby?

No. Babies under one need no added sweeteners at all, and honey is simply sugar with a botulism risk on top. There is no nutritional reason to give it early.

Sources

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How we write these: from widely published pediatric guidance (AAP, NIAID 2017 guidelines, the LEAP study), with sources cited on every page. Pending review by a pediatric professional.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

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