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Feeding a Baby Honey

Feeding a Baby Honey
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Q:
Feeding a Baby Honey

Is there ever a time to wait beyond a year for giving a child honey? What about cereals that contain honey, such as Honey Nut Cheerios?

A:

Dr. Greene’s Answer:

If there is a question of immune deficiency, I like waiting longer. Otherwise, once kids have reached age 1, they are at dramatically lower risk for infant botulism (the reason we avoid honey in infants).

A small amount of honey in the cereal, or as an ingredient in any other baked good, is far less of a concern than straight, uncooked honey.

Reviewed by: Khahn-van Le-Bucklin, Rebecca Hicks
Last reviewed: June 28, 2011
Dr. Alan Greene

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Dr. Greene is the founder of DrGreene.com (sited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Web site”), a practicing pediatrician, father of four, & author of Raising Baby Green & Feeding Baby Green. He appears frequently in the media including such venues as the The New York Times, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, & the Dr. Oz Show.

 

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