No Products in the Cart
Honey Gift SetsSHOP NOW
Honey Gift SetsSHOP NOW
Parents hear two steady rules during weaning. Offer a rainbow of flavours. Keep honey off the menu until your baby turns one. That rule exists for good reason. Babies under 12 months should not have honey because of the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious illness. After the first birthday, honey can be introduced gradually as part of a balanced family diet.
Honey can occasionally contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Older children and adults have mature gut defences that usually prevent those spores from causing harm. Infants do not. If spores germinate in a baby’s intestine, they can produce a toxin that affects the nerves and muscles. This is why public health bodies recommend avoiding honey for the first year. For background, the Food Standards Agency offers a clear overview of botulism, and the NHS sets out symptoms and risks on its page about botulism.
A common question is whether pasteurised honey, manuka honey or honey used during baking is somehow different. Spores are remarkably heat-resistant, so normal cooking does not reliably destroy them. That means a muffin sweetened with honey is still unsuitable for a baby under one.
Infant botulism is rare in the UK, but it needs prompt medical care. Symptoms can include a weak or altered cry, feeding difficulties, constipation, floppiness and breathing problems. If you are ever concerned, call 999 or go to A&E. For the official wording on weaning safety, see the NHS advice on foods to avoid for babies and young children.
Here is a quick reference for parents deciding what to offer at different ages.
|
Child’s age |
Honey on a spoon |
Honey in cooking or baked foods |
Honey listed in processed foods |
Notes |
|
0 to 11 months |
Not allowed |
Not allowed |
Not allowed |
Avoid all forms because spores can survive typical cooking and baking temperatures. |
|
12 months plus |
Allowed in small amounts |
Allowed |
Allowed |
Introduce gradually and count honey as a free sugar for teeth and overall intake. |
When you shop for the family, look for traceable origins and honest labelling. For practical shopping tips, read our guide on how to spot fake honey.
• Under 12 months: no honey in any form
• From 12 months: ¼ tsp to ½ tsp with meals only
• Keep brushing twice daily and limit sugary snacks between meals
When your child turns one, honey can bring gentle sweetness and character to family meals. Begin with a tiny taste, offer it with meals, and let fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and proteins do the heavy lifting.
Start tiny
Begin with a quarter teaspoon, about 1.25 ml, stirred into warm porridge or natural yoghurt. Treat it like any new food and observe how your child responds.
Pair with whole foods
Add a touch of honey to porridge oats, mashed banana or natural yoghurt rather than using it in sweet snacks. For grown-up inspiration that still fits family cooking, browse our recipes hub.
Protect little teeth
Honey still counts as sugar. Offer sweet foods with meals rather than between them, and keep brushing routines in place with fluoride toothpaste suited to your child’s age.
• Porridge topped with berries and a drizzle of honey
• Natural yoghurt folded with fruit compote and a teaspoon of honey
• Wholemeal toast with peanut butter, sliced strawberries and a tiny smear of honey
Babies who have just turned one need only a taste. Use honey as a finishing touch, not the main event. A quarter to half a teaspoon is usually enough to satisfy a sweet tooth while leaving room for fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and proteins.
• Week 1 after turning one: quarter teaspoon in breakfast porridge, mealtimes only, no issues observed.
• Week 3: half a teaspoon mixed into natural yoghurt twice a week, brushing maintained morning and night.
Before 12 months, no form of honey is safe, regardless of brand, varietal or processing. After the first birthday, choose a reputable honey your family enjoys, paying attention to clear sourcing and simple ingredient lists.
Still avoid it. The age rule applies to any food containing honey. Heat that is sufficient to brown a biscuit is not guaranteed to destroy spores.
Yes. Botulism spores and toxin are not passed into breast milk. Good hand hygiene is still wise if you have handled honey just before a feed.
Do not panic. Most exposures do not lead to illness. Contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice, and watch for the symptoms listed above over the next couple of days. If concerns arise about floppiness, feeding or breathing, call 999 or go straight to A&E.
Once your little one is past their first birthday, a mild variety is best for those first tastes. Acacia’s light, floral character blends easily into porridge or yoghurt in quarter-teaspoon amounts. If you would like a gentle option to keep in the cupboard, explore our Organic Hungarian Acacia Honey for a soft, family-friendly drizzle. Its even texture dissolves well in warm porridge, which helps you measure a consistent ¼ teaspoon.
Before 12 months
• Check labels for honey in cereals, sauces and baked goods
• Do not use honey to sweeten bottles, water or purees
• Store honey out of reach and share the one-year rule with grandparents and carers
From 12 months
• Keep portions small and offer honey with meals
• Pair honey with whole foods such as oats, yoghurt and fruit
• Maintain brushing routines and limit sugary snacks between meals
Once the first birthday is behind you, honey can be a lovely addition to the table for adults and older children. It offers floral notes, natural sweetness and kitchen versatility. If you enjoy exploring different characters and care about provenance, read more about our approach on the page for organic honey and choose a jar that suits your taste.
Every batch is traceable to source and packed in facilities that follow UK food safety standards. We store and transport honey to protect flavour and quality, and lab certificates are available on request. Keep the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct heat to preserve flavour and texture. If a family member has known pollen or bee-related allergies, speak to your GP or allergy specialist before introducing new foods.
Honey has a proud place at the family table, just not on a baby’s spoon before the first birthday. Keep it simple in that first year. After twelve months, introduce tiny amounts with meals, pair it with wholesome foods and keep tooth care front and centre. If you ever have worries about symptoms, trust your instincts and speak to a healthcare professional. Handle the basics well, and you can enjoy honey’s flavour and tradition while your little one safely explores new tastes at their own pace.
Questions about our honey? Reach us via the contact page.
Disclaimer: Medical information in this article is educational and not a substitute for personalised advice. Speak with your GP or health visitor about your child’s needs.
