Honey and Infant Botulism: Why Babies Under 12 Months Should Not Have It
Why honey is not given to babies under 12 months, what infant botulism is, the warning signs that need emergency care, and what the sources say about other risks.
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Urgent: if a baby shows signs of botulism, go to an emergency room or call 911 right away. MedlinePlus lists the signs as constipation, weak cry, poor feeding and weak suckling, sagging eyelids, a floppy body, loss of head control, and slowed or stopped breathing. [1] If the baby may have swallowed honey recently, tell the care team.
What infant botulism is
Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The spores can grow in the baby's gut and make a toxin that affects nerves and muscles. [5] The WHO explains that in most adults and children older than about 6 months, natural defences in the intestines stop the spores from growing, which is why the risk is concentrated in babies. [3]MedlinePlus says infant botulism occurs mostly between 6 weeks and 6 months of age, and may occur from 6 days to 1 year. [1]
Where the spores come from
- Honey: MedlinePlus lists swallowing honey as a baby as a risk factor, and the spores may be found in soil and in certain foods such as honey. [1] A review of honey and infant botulism reports that honey samples across the United States have tested positive for the spores. [4]
- Soil and dust: the same MedlinePlus page lists being around contaminated soil as a risk factor, and a 2024 review links cases to outdoor soil and indoor dust as well as foods. [1][6]
- Other foods: that 2024 review also notes spores found in dry cereals and powdered infant formula, and says the origin of infection remains unknown for most cases. [6]
So avoiding honey is a sensible step, but it does not guarantee a baby will never get infant botulism, and most cases have no identified source. [6]
What the numbers show
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| How common is it worldwide? | A global review counted 2,943 recognized cases from 2007 to 2021. Median age at onset was 16.8 weeks. [7] | Surveillance data |
| How often was honey involved? | Honey had been consumed in 3.8% of US cases and 19.7% of cases elsewhere in the world. [7] | Surveillance data |
| Is honey the only risk? | A 2024 review calls honey the only well-known risk factor, but says soil, dust and other foods are also linked. [6] | Review |
Treatment and outlook
MedlinePlus says botulism immune globulin is the main treatment, along with supportive care, and that when the condition is found and treated early, the child most often makes a full recovery. Death or permanent disability may result in complicated cases. [1]What about older children and adults?
The sources we read say honey is a concern for babies. For children one year and older, a clinical review of the common cold lists honey as one of the few treatments with established safety for cough. [8] See Honey for Cough and Sore Throat for what trials found. Adult botulism has other causes, such as wounds or improperly processed food. [3]Questions to ask
- A baby's doctor or pharmacist can say what to do if honey was already given. We did not find a source giving a specific step for that situation, so the safe move is to call the child's clinician or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) for advice. See Babies and Children: Natural Ingredients and Babies and Infants: Natural Remedies to Ask About.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't babies have honey?
Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. In babies those spores can grow in the gut and release a toxin. [5][1]
Is raw honey the only honey that is a problem?
The sources we read advise against honey in general for babies under 12 months and do not say that processed honey is safe. [3][4] See Raw Honey vs Regular Honey.
What are the signs of infant botulism?
Constipation, weak cry, poor feeding and weak suckling, sagging eyelids, a floppy body and loss of head control. Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. [1]
My baby ate a little honey. What should I do?
We did not find a source with specific steps for this. Call the child's clinician or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 in the US, and watch for the warning signs above. [1]
When is honey safe for children?
The sources say not under 12 months. The NHS cough page states honey is not suitable for babies under 1 year old. [9]
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine. Infant botulism. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS (UK). Botulism. Read 2026-10-22.
- World Health Organization. Botulism fact sheet. Read 2026-10-22.
- Association between honey consumption and infant botulism. Pharmacotherapy 2002. PubMed 12432974. Read 2026-10-22.
- Infant botulism. Am Fam Physician 2002. PubMed 11996423. Read 2026-10-22.
- Infant Botulism: In Search of Clostridium botulinum Spores. Curr Microbiol 2024. PubMed 39138824. Read 2026-10-22.
- Global Occurrence of Infant Botulism: 2007-2021. Pediatrics 2025. PubMed 40132623. Read 2026-10-22.
- Treatment of the Common Cold. Am Fam Physician 2019. PubMed 31478634. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS (UK). Cough. Read 2026-10-22.