Manuka Honey and Babies: An Informative Guide for Parents

Discover everything you should know about adding Manuka honey to your little one's diet, guaranteeing its safe consumption every time.

Manuka honey should not be given to babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. 

Comparing Key Points

Is Manuka honey safe for babies under age one?

No, raw honey, including Manuka honey, is not considered safe for infants under 12 months old due to the potential risk of infant botulism from clostridium botulinum spores.

Everything to Know About Manuka Honey and Babies

In recent years, Manuka honey has gained immense popularity worldwide due to its high nutrient concentration.

Manuka honey comes from the nectar of New Zealand's Manuka tea tree and is known for its rich taste, creamy texture, and naturally occurring MGO.

For parents, though, age matters more than the type of honey in the jar. Honey has a clear safety restriction during the first year of life, followed by different considerations once a child is older.

Yet, as parents, we might find ourselves asking the question Is Manuka honey safe for our little ones? In this guide, we'll look at when children can have Manuka honey, what it contains, simple serving ideas, and the precautions parents should know. 

The Right Age: When Can Babies Have Manuka Honey?

While Manuka honey is safe for children and adults of most ages, it’s generally recommended that:

• Children under 12 months should not have honey of any kind, including Manuka honey.

• Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores. In babies, these spores can grow in the intestines and cause infant botulism.
  

• As your child grows and develops, they build more robust immune systems, which prevent the clostridium botulinum spores from germinating and developing into botulism.

However, it is still a source of sugar, so it is best treated as an occasional addition rather than an essential part of a child's diet. 

Potential Benefits of Manuka Honey for Toddlers

Manuka honey is filled with beneficial nutrients, like:

• Prebiotics

• Antioxidants

• Methylglyoxal (MGO)

These can support general wellness, immunity, and digestive health.

Supports Digestive Health

Manuka honey contains oligosaccharides that support a healthy gut microbiome and normal digestive function.

Supports Everyday Wellness

Manuka honey contains antioxidants along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals. These naturally occurring nutrients can support overall health and well-being as part of a varied diet.

Supports Immune Health

MGO is one of the compounds that makes Manuka honey unique. It supports a healthy microbial environment and helps support normal immune function.

Filled with prebiotics, these nutrients support healthy bacteria along the digestive tract. In turn, this can support overall wellness in multiple ways.

Serving Ideas: How to Introduce Manuka Honey to Little Ones

For children over one, Manuka honey can be added to familiar foods in simple ways.

Try:

• Stirring a small amount into porridge

• Drizzling it over fruit

• Mixing it into a smoothie

• Adding it to yogurt

If you're adding Manuka honey to a warm drink or food, let it cool for 30 to 60 seconds first. For cooked dishes, add the honey after cooking rather than heating it in the oven.

Precautions and Safe Practices

Rest assured that Manuka honey is considered a safe and delicious option for most individuals. However, there are a few things to note.

Before purchasing Manuka honey, do your research and ensure it’s coming from a high-quality, natural, and raw source. For example, at Manukora, we produce all of our Manuka honey without GMOs, pesticides, or antibiotics. We also provide a QR code on every product so you can check the authenticity of every jar.

It’s also important to practice caution when introducing Manuka honey into your child’s diet due to potential allergies and never serve honey to children under one year of age. Start by introducing only a little bit at a time.

While rare, it always pays to be cautious, just in case! Some signs of an allergic reaction to honey may include:

• Hives

• Swelling
  

• Sneezing

• Runny nose

• Itchy throat

• Difficulty swallowing

More severe signs may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you notice your little one having any of these symptoms, seek out immediate medical care.

Manukora’s Commitment to Purity

From placing our hives in remote forests devoid of environmental toxins and pesticides to offering a unique QR authenticity platform that allows you to trace the origin of your honey, Manukora is dedicated to offering pure, authentic, and real Manuka honey.

We like to refer to our Manuka honey as the Honey With Superpowers™.

Our beekeepers;

• Never interfere with the honey-making process.

• Let the bees work at their own pace.

• So, we only harvest the honey once they’ve completed their hard work.

• This also means we don’t use dehydration processes to pasteurize the honey, ensuring each batch is raw, pure, and nutrient-rich.

Enjoy Manukora’s High-Quality Manuka Honey with Your Children

Manuka honey is an indulgence the entire family can feel good about. As per the above, honey is generally safe for most individuals over the age of one. If introducing honey for the first time, always start with a small amount to ensure allergies aren’t a problem. Checking the source and authenticity of your Manuka honey can also give you peace of mind that you’re getting the purest honey possible!

Manukora's Manuka honey collection offers an assurance of purity and quality. Their Manuka Honey MGO 1000+ stands out for its exceptional quality and high MGO content, truly embodying their Honey With Superpowers™. Understanding why Manuka honey is so valuable can also provide insights into its benefits.

Curious about different ways to enjoy honey? Learn about the delights of eating honeycomb in our guide, 'Can You Eat Honeycomb?' Additionally, explore the health comparisons between honey and sugar in our article, 'Is Honey Healthier Than Sugar?' and don’t forget to check out our guide on 'Does Honey Expire?' to ensure you’re enjoying your Manuka honey at its best.

Consult with your children’s pediatrician before adding honey (or any new food) to their palette. That way, you know you're approaching your child’s diet with proper care.

FAQs

Can babies have Manuka honey?

No. Babies under 12 months should not have Manuka honey or any other type of honey because of the risk of infant botulism.

At what age can children have Manuka honey?

Children can generally have honey after 1 year. Start with a small amount and consider it as part of their overall sugar intake.

How can I give Manuka honey to a child over one?

Try stirring a small amount into porridge or yogurt, adding it to a smoothie, or drizzling it over fruit. Let warm foods or drinks cool before adding the honey.

What makes Manukora Manuka honey different?

Manukora honey contains MGO and is tested for purity. Each jar also has a QR code that lets you trace the honey to its source and learn about the beekeeper who produced it.

Sources

• Infant Botulism: Information for Clinicians.
• Honey allergy: Symptoms, causes, and treatment