Honey can be a wholesome sweetener or a soothing sore throat and cough remedy for children. However, its safety for your child depends on the child's age and whether there are any allergies or other health conditions present. Due to the risk of infant botulism, never give honey to children under the age of 1 year.
Honey
Bees produce honey from the nectar of flowers. Composed of 70 percent to 80 percent sugar, honey is most frequently used as a dietary sweetener or in cooking or baking. It also has a long history of use in traditional medicine as an antibacterial agent, for wound management, gastrointestinal problems and as a cough syrup. Insufficient clinical or scientific evidence is available on its efficacy for medicinal purposes in children or adults.
Infant Botulism
Infant botulism is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when infants ingest the spores of Clostridium botulinum. These spores are found in soil and in honey. Symptoms of infant botulism include muscle weakness, constipation, lethargy, dehydration and loss of appetite. If caught early, treatment for infant botulism can lead to complete recovery. If misdiagnosed or left untreated, it can cause respiratory failure. The risk of infant botulism from honey is great enough that no honey should ever be given to children under the age of 1.
Allergies
Some children may have allergic reactions to honey. This may be caused by pollen or a reaction to some part of the bee's body. Children of any age with pollen allergies, allergies to celery or bee sting allergies should avoid honey. Symptoms of honey allergy may include chronic bronchitis, asthma, swelling, cracked and itching lips, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. There have been cases of a more severe reaction to honey made with nectar from plants of the Rhododendron family. Avoid consuming honey made from Rhododendron, and don't give it to children.
Honey for a Cough
Many over-the-counter children's cough medicines are unsuitable for younger children. The traditional remedy of honey and lemon mixed with warm water may be a suitable alternative for cough or sore throat. James Steckelberg of the Mayo Clinic reports that 2 tsp. of honey given at bedtime to children 2 years old and older with upper respiratory tract infections soothed coughs and improved sleep as well as the over-the-counter cough medication dextromethorphan. However, he also cautions that children under the age of 1 should never be given honey.
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