Maybe a relative offered your baby a lick of honey, or you spotted “honey” on a cracker box and paused. Can babies have honey? The rule is simple, and once you know it, honey is one less thing to worry about.
This guide gives you the clear answer from the AAP and CDC, explains why the rule exists, and tells you what to do if your baby already had some. For how honey fits into the bigger picture of milk and meals, see our baby feeding schedule.
You can find more first-year food questions answered on our baby feeding page.
Quick answer: can babies have honey?
No, not before 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC both advise against giving honey to babies under 1 year, because honey can carry spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness. That includes honey added to food, water, formula or a pacifier. From the first birthday, the AAP says honey is fine.
- Under 12 months: no honey in any form.
- 12 months and older: honey is fine, according to the AAP.
- Breastfeeding parents: you can still eat honey yourself.
Why babies can’t have honey: infant botulism
Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The spores grow in the baby’s intestines and make a toxin that affects nerves and muscles. The AAP notes it occurs mostly in babies younger than 6 months.
The spores live in soil and dust, and often nobody knows where a baby picked them up. Honey is one known source, and it is easy to avoid. The California Department of Public Health, which runs an infant botulism treatment and prevention program, notes that not all honey contains spores, but avoiding honey is currently the only known way to prevent infant botulism from it.
Honey and honey foods: before and after 12 months
| Situation | Under 12 months |
|---|---|
| Honey on its own or stirred into food | Skip (CDC, AAP) |
| Honey in water or formula | Skip (CDC) |
| Pacifier dipped in or filled with honey | Skip (CDC) |
| Honey cooked or baked into food | Skip: Health Canada says the spores are not easily destroyed by heat |
| Breastfeeding parent eats honey | Fine (AAP) |
From 12 months, the AAP says honey is fine for your child, so these limits no longer apply.
Honey is one of a few first-year food rules. Our month-by-month guide to solid foods lists the others.
For foods that need cutting up or skipping for a different reason, see our guide to choking hazards for babies.
If your baby already had some honey
Take a breath. The California Department of Public Health says one exposure to honey is unlikely to lead to infant botulism, and the illness is rare in the US. Its advice is to watch your baby for signs over the coming days and weeks, and to contact your pediatrician if you notice any.
Signs do not always appear right away. The AAP says they can show up anywhere from 3 to 30 days after exposure to the spores. If you would feel better talking it through, call your pediatrician even if your baby seems fine.
Related: can babies have maple syrup? Why to wait until age 2.
When to talk to your doctor
The AAP and CDC list these possible signs of infant botulism. They often start with constipation:
- constipation
- poor feeding or a weak suck, or milk pooling in the mouth
- a weak cry or a cry that sounds different than usual
- drooping eyelids or less facial expression
- poor head control
- overall weakness or floppiness when held
The CDC calls botulism a medical emergency. If your baby has these signs, see your doctor immediately or go to the ER. Do not wait. Tell them if your baby has had honey.
Frequently asked questions
Can a baby have honey on their first birthday?
Yes. The AAP’s advice is no honey for babies younger than 12 months, and it says honey is fine for children 1 year and older. A honey-sweetened birthday treat is not a problem once your child has turned 1.
Can I eat honey while breastfeeding?
Yes. The AAP says breastfeeding parents may eat honey. The rule is only about honey going directly to your baby, whether in food, drinks or on a pacifier.
What about honey graham crackers or honey cereal?
Because the spores are not easily destroyed by heat, according to Health Canada, cooking or baking honey into a food does not make it a workaround before 12 months. Check ingredient labels for honey, and if you are unsure about a specific product, ask your pediatrician.
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Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Botulism: Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit
- CDC: Botulism Signs and Symptoms
- CDC: About Botulism
- California Department of Public Health, Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program: Avoiding Honey for Infants
- Health Canada: Infant botulism
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, talk to your pediatrician.