Honey is an unusually healthy and sweet delicacy that will appeal to everyone: from young to old. But its use is associated with some rules. And they are especially relevant for the child's body. How old can honey be for children, how much to give and which variety is best suited for this purpose - you will find detailed answers to these and other questions in our article.
Honey for children: benefit or harm?
Reviews about the need for honey for a child vary greatly. On the one hand, the natural product has a tonic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, which will become a natural alternative to drugs. On the other hand, there is a risk of allergy manifestation, especially at an early age.
Useful properties of the bee product:
strengthens the immune system, increases body tone and vigor
prevents the growth of bacteria in colds and acute respiratory infections
relieves inflammation and sore throat
Promotes mucus expulsion and expectoration when coughing
improves appetite
normalizes the intestinal microflora
speeds up metabolism
is the prevention of helminths
normalizes liver function
compensates for the lack of hemoglobin
strengthens sleep
improves concentration and performance
When applied externally, the product is also effective. It relieves inflammation, has a regenerative and anesthetic effect. It can be used for a runny nose, various wounds and acne in adolescence.
So, can children have honey? The logical conclusion would be a balance between the pros and cons of using the product. A possible risk of allergies can be easily ruled out by visiting a doctor and undergoing an appropriate examination. To find natural and high-quality honey - buy it directly from the beekeeper. If the use of the bee product is safe, why not improve the health of your child by including such a delicious delicacy in the diet?
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Honey for children: from what age is it allowed?
Each parent is looking for the answer to this question on their own. Someone is not sure if honey is possible for a one-month-old baby. Others use it as a nutritional supplement, diluting it in a bottle with breast milk or a special formula.
Interesting fact: there is a kind of “life hack” among the people, which helps newly-made mothers accustom a child to a pacifier. It is enough just to lightly dip it in bee nectar. A baby simply cannot but like honey due to its sweet taste - and he begins to suck on the pacifier much more willingly.
Honey is not recommended for children under one year of age. The reason for this is the possible manifestations of allergies. A one-year-old child can have honey in a small amount, but if discomfort occurs, he simply will not be able to tell you about it. Another reason is botulism spores, which can hide in the pollen. For an adult, their dose is negligible and harmless, and a baby under 1 year old can be harmful.
If you still decide to give the baby a treat to try - start complementary foods by lightly smearing the gums or letting the spoon lick. Next, carefully monitor the reaction of the baby. A more reliable safety net involves a visit to the doctor and a preliminary examination.
Honey can be given to a child at 2-3 years old in larger quantities. If you are sure that your baby does not have an allergic reaction to a natural product, it will be an excellent substitute for pharmacy vitamins, antiviral drugs and cough remedies. In addition, it will help strengthen the immune system, increase the supply of vigor, speed up the metabolism, etc.
You can buy honey directly from our apiary "Svіy honey":
How much honey can be given to a child?
For preventive purposes, a sweet treat provides the following doses:
honey for a one-year-old child - a few drops
honey for children under 3 years old - ½ teaspoon 1 time per day
honey for children under 6 years old - 1 teaspoon 1 time per day
honey for children under 12 years old - 1 teaspoon 2 times a day
This amount is quite enough for the baby to receive the necessary daily norm of nutrients. If the child has a cold, coughs or complains of a sore throat - at the age of 3-12 years, the dose can be slightly increased, but not more than 1 tablespoon per day.
Please note that it is recommended to eat the bee product before meals. Thus, it will contribute to the process of assimilation of food, and not create an extra load on the stomach.
As for the time of day, it is preferable to give any sweets in the morning. Is honey possible for a child up to a year old - of course. But glucose in his body can cause increased excitability. As a result, it will be much more difficult to put the baby to sleep.
After drinking honey, ask your child to rinse their mouth with water. This will prevent the growth of bacteria in a sweet environment and will prevent dental diseases.
Related article: Calorie content of honey: let's count together!
What kind of honey can be given to children?
There is a huge variety of varieties of honey. You can choose any of them for your child's diet. However, some varieties are healthier and more preferable than others.
Acacia honey for a child in a month and up to a year is best suited. It contains a minimum amount of sucrose and glucose with a maximum of fructose. Due to this, the product is low-calorie and very quickly absorbed by the body. And yet - it is the most hypoallergenic of all varieties, which is especially true for the smallest.
The next in the ranking is buckwheat honey. The dark shade of this variety eloquently speaks of its composition - the product is one of the champions in terms of the content of vitamins and minerals. Give your child a treat every day, you help to saturate his body with calcium, iodine, zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, as well as vitamins B, C, D, E, K and other useful substances.
Linden honey completes our top three - but he got this place by no means because of limited benefits. This variety will be a real salvation, if your child has a cold, suffers from a sore throat, fever and cough. A sweet treat will gently relieve inflammation, relieve discomfort and improve expectoration. And in parallel - will strengthen the body's defense against viruses and bacteria.
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How to give honey?
As part of the use of a natural product, there are no special rules. If the child is still too small, you can let him lick the spoon or dilute the sweetness in a bottle of milk. If he is already eating solid food, make him a delicious toast or offer to dip pieces of fruit in bee nectar.
Pediatricians recommend diluting honey with water for children. It is believed that this is how the product is best absorbed. An alternative to water can be milk or tea - but not too hot, since the beneficial properties of bee nectar are destroyed at temperatures above +40 degrees.
Also, the natural product is successfully used externally. With a runny nose, honey in the nose of children will replace pharmaceutical preparations. Just dilute it with water in equal proportions and instill 2 drops every 3-4 hours.
With a strong cough, you can rub the child with honey. For a greater effect, it is recommended to slightly warm the sweetness, then apply gauze to the treatment area and wrap the child tightly in a blanket. In this case, the bee product acts as a mustard plaster.
In what cases should children not have honey?
The main contraindication to the use of honey is individual intolerance to bee products. But this phenomenon is very rare. It is found in only a few percent of the world's population.
Another possible ban is an allergy to honey in a child. It can carry quite serious consequences: from skin rashes to the risk of suffocation. Therefore, before using the product, we strongly recommend that you consult a pediatrician and pass the appropriate tests.
It is also not recommended to give a child a treat when he has an exacerbation of one of the following diseases: gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, urolithiasis, pancreas. Caution should be taken when using the product for those parents whose children suffer from hypervitaminosis, increased excitability or some mental disorders.
Video "At what age can children eat honey?"
Source
Wikipedia: Bee Honey
The health benefits of honey have been known for a long time. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers also used this product to soothe young children: a nipple slightly moistened with honey instantly calmed the baby in moments of crying. When the baby was sick and coughing heavily, the product of bee craftsmanship was used for a compress. A popular method for treating cough in children is hot milk with honey.
Recently, however, most experts recommend not rushing to use this miraculous product in baby food and treatment.
What is the reason for this, what should be feared and at what age can honey be given to a child - parents can find out in our article.
The value of the product produced by bees is beyond doubt. The benefits of honey for children are explained by the following facts:
- Honey is a natural product that promotes health and influences the formation and development of bones and teeth. Due to this property, the advantage of using propolis-based products for the prevention of scoliosis in schoolchildren, as well as for the treatment of back diseases, is obvious.
- The substances included in bee products (ascorbic acid, carotene, etc.), which have a general strengthening effect, help the child cope with infectious and colds. It has been noticed that children who regularly consume honey delicacy in the optimal amount are less likely to get sick and have strong immunity.
- Products based on propolis have a beneficial effect on digestion, contributing to the rapid and efficient absorption of food, and the carbohydrates that make up honey contribute to the optimal digestion of fats and carbohydrates, preventing them from lingering in the gastrointestinal tract.
- It has been proven that propolis has a positive effect on blood composition, increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In this regard, it is often indicated for lethargic, asthenic, slow children, often ill and prone to anemia.
- This product perfectly copes with diseases of the genitourinary system, including children's enuresis.
Despite these and many other benefits of using honey, parents should be especially careful when giving it to a one-year-old child.
Many mothers often wonder why it is impossible to give honey food to an infant. We will talk about this below.
Honey sweets: possible harm from their use
Before giving a bee product to their baby, newly-made parents should make sure at what age they can offer honey treats to children.
In the case when this product is given to a one-year-old child, without taking into account the age norms of consumption, you may encounter some troubles:
- severe allergic reaction, tk. it is a highly allergenic product (in this regard, honey should not be given to children under 12 months old);
- with improper and irrational use, there is a high probability of upsetting the digestive system;
- in view of the fact that bees interact with various biological materials that are not always useful and proven, in rare cases honey can cause botulism. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use a low-quality product that has not passed certification.
When can you offer honey to a baby?
Parents who are concerned about when it is possible to give honey to a child, from what age, should initially:
- take into account all the pros and cons of using this sweet product;
- make sure at what age you can start giving it to your baby;
- be sure that a baby under 12 months old did not have a history of allergies;
- consult with a local pediatrician and an allergist.
Experts have set the age limits when it is possible and impossible to give honey to children.
It is believed that the optimal age for the use of this product is older than 3 years. It is after 3 years that the baby's body is completely ready to assimilate such a useful product.
It is absolutely impossible to give honey treats to children of the first year of life!
Their body is not yet ready to assimilate this sweetness, which can cause a strong allergic reaction. In some cases, babies up to a year are sweetened with honey water. At the same time, it is important to monitor the reaction of the baby's body and, if any complications occur, stop giving honey, even dissolved in water or tea.
Children older than a year are allowed to offer 0.5 teaspoon of a honey product.
At the first injections, special attention should be paid to the quality of the acquired honey delicacy, so that later you will not be surprised why the baby had an upset stomach or showed signs of allergies.
A baby older than a year can be offered honey sweetness in different versions:
- dissolve half a teaspoon of honey in water or tea;
- sweeten porridge with a honey product;
- dip the baby's favorite cookies in honey;
- offer to eat from a spoon.
A baby who is over a year old will definitely appreciate the proposed ways of serving honey food. Such a variety of honey consumption will also appeal to children over 2 years old.
Children who are about 3 years old are able to eat honey with a spoon on their own, naturally, under the close attention of their parents. The norm for the use of honey sweets for children over 3 years old is 1 teaspoon. Preschoolers, whose age is from 3 to 5 years, are allowed to take up to 20 grams of honey, which is approximately equal to 1 tablespoon.
Children of primary school age are encouraged to consume honey, especially during the autumn-winter months. This contributes not only to strengthening immunity and reducing the risk of colds, but also to improving cognitive functions and the successful assimilation of educational material.
Thus, parents who have children from several months to a year need to remember why babies should not be pampered with a honey treat. Moms and dads of children older than a year must strictly observe the daily intake of this product, recommended by experts.
Aromatic and fragrant honey is a ready-made mineral-vitamin complex of natural origin, which contains the most important and useful substances for the human body. It is used for preventive and health purposes, as an addition to all kinds of diets, instead of sugar in confectionery dishes and drinks. Is it possible for his children, and if “yes”, then from what age?
Composition of honey
Honey is a product formed as a result of the digestion of flower nectar by bees. It has a complex composition and has a high biological activity. It contains the following components:
- carbohydrates, their share in honey is: 39% fructose and 31% glucose, they are more useful than those contained in sugar, as they are easily digestible;
- proteins - represented by a group of amino acids, the intensity of development of muscle cells, the full nutrition of internal organs and the brain depend on these elements;
- malic and lactic acids;
- iron - supports the hematopoietic system;
- phosphorus - needed for full development;
- magnesium - important for heart function;
- calcium is an indispensable element that plays an important role in the development of the skeletal system.
In addition, honey contains carotene, B vitamins, as well as many other useful substances, including enzymes that normalize metabolism: amylase, invertase, and others. Once in the blood, easily digestible carbohydrates do not require energy for processing, they ensure the regeneration of old and the formation of new cells.
Depending on the type of honey, its composition may vary. So, it is believed that acacia honey is most useful for children. It has a special color - pale yellow, similar in appearance to saturated sugar syrup. Buckwheat honey is no less useful, it can be easily recognized by its rich dark brown hue. The properties of the product depend not only on the type of plants from which it is collected, but also on the region, climatic conditions and many other factors.
In total, honey contains about 60 trace elements. Many of them are extremely important for the proper functioning of the human body. With proper use of honey, it becomes a powerful tool that allows not only to successfully fight various diseases, but also to prevent their occurrence.
Benefits of honey for children
Honey is valued for its pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect. Unlike pharmaceuticals, it has no side effects, the only possible complication is an allergy. In reasonable doses, honey is used to fight viral diseases and fungi, to promote health and improve immunity.
Honey has been used as a remedy for centuries. At different times, people used it to alleviate the condition of diabetes, in combination with medicinal plants used to get rid of serious ailments. The benefits of honey are scientifically proven, today it is used in many cases, achieving a significant improvement in health:
- With anemia - as a source of iron, as well as B vitamins.
- To strengthen the body - due to the minerals and vitamins contained in honey, it completely replaces the complexes, moreover, it is absorbed much better than pharmaceuticals in the form of tablets or liquids.
- To normalize sleep - just one teaspoon (for an adult - a tablespoon) provides a lasting relaxation effect.
- As a source of energy, it is enough to drink honey diluted in 200 ml of warm boiled water (by no means hot) in order to quickly restore strength.
Recipe for the occasion::
Honey is an irreplaceable remedy in the treatment of colds. So, it is enough to mix it in a ratio of 1: 1 with butter and dissolve - this will facilitate expectoration with bronchitis and dry cough. Add a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of baking soda to a glass of slightly warmed milk, and you will get an excellent cough medicine.
Honey can be used in small doses as an alternative to vitamin and mineral complexes. It is advisable not to swallow it immediately, but slowly dissolve - so it is better absorbed. Honey in honeycombs is especially useful - it contains more useful substances. Kids love it very much, and you will agree that this is a great alternative to chewing gum.
Due to the antibacterial properties, honey is useful for intestinal disorders. And during the period of intense intellectual loads, this product is the best tool for schoolchildren, both junior and senior classes. In addition, it normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract - all thanks to the many enzymes it contains: they contribute to the normal digestion of products.
When can honey be given to children?
This has been debated for many years. There are cases when parents gave honey from 2-3 months - without any consequences. However, in the CIS it is generally accepted that it is unacceptable to use it for babies under 18 months. Honey is a powerful allergen, and this must be taken into account if you intend to introduce it into your child's diet.
When choosing the optimal time for the introduction of honey, consider the individual characteristics of the baby and consult a pediatrician. If one of the parents is allergic to bee products, you should be more careful and careful: it is likely that the child’s body will not accept them either.
How to enter honey in the child's menu?
Start with a microdose, for example, add 1g of honey to your drink. Check the reaction - if no rashes on the skin or other suspicious symptoms appear during the day, the amount of the product can be slightly increased. Gradually bring the daily intake of honey to half a teaspoon. For a two-year-old baby, it is permissible to consume no more than 20–30 g of honey per day. From three years you can up to 30-40 g, and from four years - up to 50 g.
How to give honey? As a vitamin and mineral supplement - along with other products. Important! When heated, honey loses its beneficial properties, so it should not be added to hot tea or milk. Use it as a sweetener for oatmeal or drinks, and to make sandwiches.
Precautionary measures
With the use of a large amount of honey, the likelihood of allergies increases significantly. Please note that if the baby does not perceive the pollen of any of the plants, then the honey collected from its flowers will cause hay fever. Allergy to honey in children manifests itself in different ways. Possible options: skin rashes, tearfulness, runny nose, sharp pains in the abdomen, gastrointestinal upset, in rare cases, there is a high probability of swelling and, as a result, suffocation.
At an early age, honey can cause acute poisoning even in healthy children. An overdose during the first dose is also dangerous - a serving should not exceed 1-2 g. Please note that due to the high content of fructose and glucose, honey provokes the formation of caries, so after using it, make sure that the child rinses the mouth thoroughly.
The breakdown of vitamins and enzymes occurs already at a temperature of 45? Therefore, when it is heated, it ceases to be useful. Moreover, when the temperature of honey rises to 70-80?C, the formation of carcinogenic substances begins. And although their concentration is high, this should not be allowed. It is for this reason that it is recommended not to use honey as ingredients for confectionery, jams or other sweets.
Almost every person has known about the undoubted benefits of honey since childhood. This natural product is a source of sucrose, fructose and glucose, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, K, C, provitamin A. It is useful for pregnant women due to the folic acid content, and replaces white sugar for people on a diet.
It has been used by previous generations as a natural sweetener in baby food. But modern pediatricians are categorically against such use of honey. Why are modern doctors against introducing it into complementary foods and is it possible for children to eat honey?
Is it possible to give honey to children
Honey should be given to children with caution. Despite the naturalness, this product has a number of contraindications. It is a strong allergen, so it should be used carefully and wisely for nutrition and treatment.
Honey should be introduced into the diet in small portions. For children with allergies, other bee products are shown: propolis, royal jelly, perga. But you need to use them under the supervision of a pediatrician.
When answering the question of what age honey is for children, one should be guided by the opinion of children's doctors, who categorically do not recommend giving this product to newborns.
Older children can be given a honey treat in small portions, but here the opinions of doctors are divided. Some pediatricians allow the use of the product from the age of three, others recommend introducing it into the diet from 1-2 years if there is no allergy.
Usage rate per day
Daily use of honey will help strengthen the children's skeleton, protect against colds, calm the nervous system, increase hemoglobin levels, and improve the functioning of the digestive tract. The bee product promotes mental development, is used to treat enuresis.
For infants under one year old, the use of honey can only harm. The digestive and immune systems of the baby are imperfect, therefore they will not be able to effectively cope with the microbes that enter the body along with the product. The bee product is non-sterile. When collecting nectar, bees interact with various far from pure matters. The body of an adult and a schoolchild successfully copes with the penetration of microbes into the body, while a baby can develop a dangerous disease of botulism.
When introducing honey into the menu, the following rules should be followed:
- children under one year are prohibited from using;
- babies 1-3 years old with caution half a teaspoon, dividing the portion into several doses a day;
- preschoolers 3-5 years old can eat no more than 10 g;
- junior schoolchildren 6-9 years old are allowed to increase the daily rate to 30 g;
- schoolchildren 9-15 years old are given the norm of an adult - 70 g.
In the absence of rash, redness, and other skin reactions, a honey massage may be useful for an infant. Children can be massaged to get rid of SARS as soon as possible. If side effects occur, the procedure is immediately canceled.
Harm of the honey product
In addition to the undoubted benefits, honey can also harm the body. In addition to allergies and botulism, in young children, the abuse of honey leads to early development of caries and excessive weight gain. Therefore, the product should be used in accordance with the daily allowance table.
In order to avoid problems with teeth, you should teach your child to use a toothbrush after every meal. If brushing your teeth is not possible, just rinse your mouth with clean water.
It is sometimes impossible to predict the effect of honey on the body; use can cause itching, indigestion and headache.
Therefore, up to 6 years it is better to do without this product, especially if there is no urgent need to give it to a child.
Signs of an allergic reaction
The bee product is the same strong allergen as nuts, citrus fruits, eggs, fish, chocolate. Therefore, if the child has various reactions, you should immediately stop introducing honey into the diet.
With allergies, a child may experience the following symptoms:
- itching, swelling and redness of the skin;
- shortness of breath and cough;
- tearing, swelling and redness of the eyes;
- headache;
- swelling of the nasal mucosa, the appearance of a runny nose;
- swelling of the tongue and throat;
- the occurrence of nausea and abdominal pain;
- appearance of diarrhea.
If one or more signs are observed without concomitant diseases, it is better to cancel honey and consult a doctor to determine the cause of such body reactions.
Undoubted benefit
Allergy is an individual feature of the body to a specific product or non-food component. In the vast majority of children, bee products are well tolerated. Children who ate honey were less likely to suffer from vitamin deficiencies, anemia, colds, sore throats, anxiety, and underweight.
A child who consumes honey according to the age norm is less likely to suffer from memory problems and bedwetting. Parents should give the product after consulting with a pediatrician or physician.
Honey is an extremely useful product. Scientists, doctors and just lovers of natural sweetness talk about this tirelessly, but how useful or harmful is this product for children? Many mothers, trying to give their child all the best and most useful, often ask - is honey possible for children, when can honey be given to a child and how much?
Honey for children - only quality, only nature
Honey is a product, no doubt, useful, in addition, it is often used both in pharmacology and in traditional medicine. Everyone has probably heard that honey is the best cough medicine? But these statements are true only in relation to a quality product, and today there are a lot of fakes of honey. On the shelves of stores you can easily find honey, which is mixed with sugar or starch molasses, flour and even various very unhealthy materials - gypsum, minerals, glue. Therefore, you should always be careful about the choice of goodies, buy only a quality product, preferably natural, from trusted beekeepers.
Many parents believe that the benefits of honey are so great that it is fashionable to use this product at any age, almost from the cradle. Grandmothers recommend mixing a teaspoon of honey into milk or dry formula for babies aged three months and older.
In fact, British scientists have found that it is very, very dangerous to give honey to children under one year old: at this age, a treat can create a very favorable environment for the development of botulism in the baby's digestive system. This is due to the content in the honeycombs spore-forming bacillus Clostridium botulinum. The entry of these spores into the human body can cause severe toxic damage to the body, and if an adult is able to endure such a strong one more or less normally, then for children under one year old it can be, in rare cases, even fatal. That is why doctors strongly do not recommend giving honey to children under one year old, in some countries - up to 18 months. Think about it, and the next time you decide to ask if honey is possible for a baby, weigh all the benefits and possible risks from using this product and make the right decision.
Interestingly, in many Western countries, packages with a natural delicacy always indicate that honey is strictly forbidden for children under one year old.
Attention: It is forbidden to give honey to infants in many countries of the world, in the countries of the former CIS it is not recommended to give honey to children under 18 months old!
When can you give honey to a child?
Many pediatricians recommend giving honey to a child only after they reach the age of three. Skeptics and lovers of bee delicacy are of the opinion that it is necessary to start giving honey to a child already in the second year of life. But both sides agree on one thing: you need to start giving honey to a child in small doses in order to check the reaction of the child's body to sweetness.
Do not forget that honey is a strong allergen, along with citrus fruits. Although honey allergy is not common in a child, it is important to monitor the baby in order to be able to take action in time if any symptoms appear. In addition, it is important to understand that even if a child is not allergic to honey, excessive consumption of this product at a young age can cause allergies in the future!
Is it possible to give honey to a child: a few more facts
It is important for parents who decide to pamper their child with a tasty and sweet treat, it is important to understand that we are talking about the benefits or harms of honey only against the background of a quality product and, in no case, honey analogues or fakes that are often found on supermarket shelves.
It is also important to understand that not always honey from an apiary can be completely safe. There is a so-called poisonous honey or "drunk honey". It is not made by wrong bees, as Winnie the Pooh said, but completely ordinary ones with only one difference - they collect nectar from plants containing poisonous substances (flowers of aconite, henbane, tobacco, rhododendron). After drinking poisonous honey, weakness, deterioration of health, dizziness and even fainting may occur. Fortunately, such "drunk honey" is rare.
How much honey can a child?
If you decide to introduce honey into your child's diet, you need to know the recommended doses of this product.
- Children under the age of two are advised to eat no more than half a teaspoon of honey per day.
- Children over two years old can eat a teaspoon of honey per day.
At the same time, according to doctors, honey has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of the child and has a calming effect. That is why it is recommended to take half or a whole teaspoon of honey at night, for example, dissolved in warm milk or tea. This will improve and also help to cope with bedwetting in young children.