No, babies under one year old should not be given honey.
Here's why:
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Risk of Infant Botulism: Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores. While harmless to older children and adults whose digestive systems are mature enough to handle them, these spores can germinate and produce toxins in a baby's immature intestines. This can lead to infant botulism, a serious and potentially life-threatening illness.
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Immature Digestive System: Babies' digestive systems haven't fully developed to fight off the bacteria that can be present in honey.
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Sugar Content: Honey is essentially a type of sugar. Introducing it too early can contribute to tooth decay and potentially lead to an unhealthy preference for sweet foods.
Key Takeaway:
Protect your baby's health by waiting until they are at least one year old before introducing honey into their diet. After one year, their digestive system is generally mature enough to handle the Clostridium botulinum spores.
