At what age is it safe to begin giving a few teaspoons of honey a day to a child

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   At what age is it safe to begin giving a few teaspoons of honey a day to a child?
   
   The internet says anywhere from 1 to 4. My daughters doc (who's against any form of natural remedy) said 5. Is it just different in different parts of the world/country?

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2. 94

   ThePracticalMommyposted 12 years ago

   In the U,S., it is considered unsafe to give honey to a child younger than a year old due to the spores in the honey that can cause botulism.
   
   As for giving a teaspoon (or a few) of honey to an older child every day, I'm not sure if it would have any benefits. I have heard of people using honey to treat coughs in kids older than one year since it's better than the current medicine available, Honey does have healthy antioxidant effects, but I don't think it would be wise to give more than a teaspoon a day to a child.
   
   I would follow the advice of your doctor. Ask him his basis for saying five years old; there must be a reason behind it.

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      She mentioned the botulism as her reason. When my other children were young we were told 1. We use it to prevent allergies.

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Hi peeples, as you have said it is very culturally determined. The main concern for Doctors is at what age can the child's immune system fight off  Botulism spores that may be in some honey. As in different parts of the world their environment and what children are exposed to determines what their immune system can handle. To be on the safe side, I would listen to your Doctor.

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   DrMark1961posted 12 years ago

   Honestly peeples if it were me I would get another doctor. I had this discussion with Daughter of Maat over seaweed. Some conventional doctors are going to tell you it will do no good, a holistic doctor that deals with herbal cures will tell you to go ahead and consume seaweed. "Ask your doctor" needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
   The same thing with honey. I know locally grown and harvested honey is indicated in allergy control in dogs, too, but if you ask a lot of conventional veterinarians, who give steroid shots and sell antihistamines during the inhalant allergy season, they will tell you it is no good. If you ask a holistic veterinarian, he will tell you it is a good idea. Who is correct? Neither has a degree "better" than the other.
   I am not sure about the development of the immune system of children, but 5 seems very late.
   I really think you should consult a holistic physician on this issue.

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is what we were thinking. The problem is we are in a very rural area. The closest one is 80 miles away. Thanks

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      DrMark1961posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I live 100 kilometers from the nearest good physician so I can understand your situation. Thankfully my kids no longer need a pediatrician!

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   lupineposted 12 years ago

   I have seen labels on honey that recommend using for children age 2 and older. I have also seen a label warning on honey that says do not give to infants 1 year or younger.  Honey is good for coughs/scratchy throat, but would limit daily use due to the sugar content...could keep them up at night.

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