Visit Doctors
Visit
Visit
Call Doctors
Call
Call
Ask Doctors
Ask
Ask
Feed
Home
32 years
At what age can we start feeding our baby honey? Some milk brands does include honey taste, can we give it to a 10 months old baby?
Jun 23, 2015

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Honey consumption is prohibited under the age of 12 months because it carries the risk of botulism, a disease caused by the bacteria called clostridium botulinum.
Spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which usually thrive in dirt and dust, can contaminate honey. These bacteria do not inflict any harm to older kids and adults because their mature digestive systems can get rid of the spores before they cause any harm.
But very young babies are still unable to handle the spores. So if an infant ingests honey contaminated with clostridium spores, the bacteria germinate, multiply, and produce a toxin. This toxin can lead to a form of generalized paralysis. Though treatable, botulism is a scary condition.
 •