Is Honey Safe for Babies 0–12 months?
For babies 0–12 months, Honey is best avoided. Not recommended for infants under 12 months.
Why this rating?
Not recommended for infants under 12 months. Bacterial spores that an infant's immature digestive and immune system cannot process are not a concern after 12 months. Honey is appropriate for children over 12 months (AAP, CDC).
More about honey and babies
What infant botulism is
Infant botulism can happen when spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum reach a baby's intestines, where they grow and produce a toxin. Honey can carry those spores. The CDC therefore advises that honey should not be given to children younger than 12 months, and that it should not be added to a baby's food, water, infant formula or pacifier. The CDC has also reported infants who became ill after using pacifiers that contained honey.
Why the line is drawn at 12 months
The risk applies to infants because their gut is still developing, and the public health guidance sets 12 months as the age at which honey is no longer treated as a botulism risk. That is why this entry is rated Avoid for babies from birth to 12 months and is different for toddlers.
Where honey hides
Honey is not only a spoonful from a jar. It appears in cereals, granola bars, crackers, baked goods, sauces and some sweetened yogurts, and on labels it may be described as raw, natural or wildflower. The CDC's guidance does not address baked goods specifically, so for any food that lists honey, ask your child's doctor or nurse and check the ingredient list instead of assuming that cooking makes it safe.
Honey after the first birthday is still a sweetener
Once a child turns one, honey stops being a botulism concern, but it is still an added sugar. The CDC advises that infants and young children should have no added sugars, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend avoiding added sugars before age 2. Honey does not need to be part of a baby's or young toddler's diet at all, since breast milk, formula and whole foods supply what a baby needs. When honey does appear after 12 months, treat it like any other sweetener and keep portions small.
If a baby has eaten honey
A single exposure does not mean a baby will become ill, but you should know the warning signs. If a baby under 12 months has had honey and develops constipation, poor feeding, a weak cry or unusual floppiness, seek medical care right away and tell the clinician about the honey. For any other question about your own child, ask your pediatrician.
In short
In short, keep honey out of everything a baby under 12 months eats or drinks, read labels for hidden honey, and call a clinician promptly if a young infant who has had honey shows constipation, a weak cry or poor feeding. After the first birthday the botulism warning no longer applies, although honey is still a sweetener to keep small.
Sources
- CDC — regulatory_or_public_health_body
- AAP — regulatory_or_public_health_body
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general feeding information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's allergies and needs.
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