Honey is considered a healthy food, but it should be included in children’s diets with great caution, according to pediatrician and gastroenterologist Evgenia Sukhachovskaya.
According to the doctor, honey is a strong allergen. Therefore, when introducing it to a child for the first time, it is important to consider any history of allergic reactions to other foods. If such reactions have occurred in the past, it is advisable to consult an allergist before adding honey to the child’s diet.
“Honey can be dangerous for young children, especially those under one year old, due to the risk of botulism infection. Additionally, it is not recommended for children under three to consume fructose-rich foods because of the high likelihood of developing diabetes. According to the pediatrician, the best age to introduce honey into a child’s diet is three years old.
The doctor emphasized that honey should be introduced into a child’s diet in very small amounts, dissolving it in lukewarm water, tea, or milk, or adding it to cottage cheese or porridge. If the child’s condition remains unchanged throughout the day, with no rash or other concerning symptoms, the amount of honey can be slightly increased the next day, gradually reaching one to two teaspoons per day. It is important to note that the daily use of honey should be limited to one month, followed by a break of two to three weeks.
