The issue of giving honey water to babies has always been a concern for new parents. In fact, babies under one year old are not suitable for drinking honey water. This is because honey may carry botulinum toxin, which has little effect on adults but infants have sensitive intestines, weak resistance, and are prone to botulism food poisoning, manifested as slow paralysis, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms. Therefore, for the safety of babies, it is best for infants under one year old not to consume honey.
For slightly older toddlers, although honey is relatively gentle and has a digestive promoting effect, if the child has gastrointestinal problems such as frequent diarrhea or constipation, caution should also be exercised when giving honey to avoid worsening the condition.
To consume honey correctly, it can be directly consumed or dissolved in water below 40°C to avoid high-temperature damage to its nutritional components. Especially in summer, mixing honey with cold water not only cools and relieves heat but also serves as a healthy beverage for children.
Choosing the right time for toddlers to consume honey is also crucial. It is usually best 1 to 1.5 hours before a meal or 2 to 3 hours after a meal, so as not to disrupt main meals while promoting digestion and absorption, which helps increase children’s appetite. In addition, honey also helps improve sleep quality and can be given in moderate amounts to children with poor sleep before bedtime.
As for the intake of honey, it should be adjusted according to the purpose and individual differences of the child, generally not exceeding 30 grams per day, given in portions. It can be increased appropriately for therapeutic purposes and reduced for daily health care. At the same time, one should note that honey should not be consumed with tofu or leeks to avoid causing diarrhea.
Cautiously give honey to infants and young children, arrange the consumption time and dosage reasonably, pay attention to food combinations, and ensure the healthy growth of babies.
