“Is honey good for a baby with a cough?”
My baby has a respiratory infection with a cough. Is honey good for a baby with a cough?
10 Answers
never use honey under 2 years of life
Raw honey should never be given to a baby under 12 months old as honey may carry botulism spores, and under 12 months of age babies’ immune systems are not strong enough to fight off certain germs. There are a variety of honey based products that have been processed for safety and these products may be tried. However, always check the dose for age and keep in mind these products do not cure the cold but may offer temporary relief only.
You should not give infants honey due to the risk for botulism - spores may be present in honey. It is safe after a year of age.
Honey is great for cough, but ONLY if your child is OVER 1 year of age. Less than 1 year is not safe and there is risk for botulism.
Dr. Risa Davidson
Dr. Risa Davidson
It depends on the age of the infant. Infants under one year of age may not be able to adequately process raw honey and it is not recommended under one. Over a year of age, a tsp (5ml) of honey every 3 hours may decrease cough and heal inflammation in the throat.
Sandra Baucom, MD, FAAP
Sandra Baucom, MD, FAAP
Hi,
No, baby cannot have any medications OTC for cough and especially no honey. It may cause botulism in babies, which could be very serious. If child is under 12 months, you need to take your child to your pediatrician. You can only use saline spray and humidifier.
Hope this helps!
No, baby cannot have any medications OTC for cough and especially no honey. It may cause botulism in babies, which could be very serious. If child is under 12 months, you need to take your child to your pediatrician. You can only use saline spray and humidifier.
Hope this helps!
NO! Please never give a baby less than 1 year of age honey. It can be very dangerous. It carries a very real risk of transmission of infant botulism, which can be fatal to infants.
Thanks for the question. Please call your pediatrician or nurse.
There is no clear evidence that honey suppresses coffin children or even adults. Is contraindicated in infants and small children because of the chance of developing botulism. Would speak to your primary and/or pediatrician as too other good therapeutics for a cough.
No. Babies should NEVER be given honey in any form until at least the age of one year. Honey can cause botulism in babies. Please don’t give honey to your baby. There is no medicine on earth that will actually help a baby with a cough, anyway, so while you are avoiding honey, please don’t give cough medicine, either. Side effects can be deadly, and they don’t work anyway. The cough will go away when the baby gets well. If it doesn’t, take the baby to the doctor for an examination and possibly chest X-rays.
Randall Fisher, M.D.
Randall Fisher, M.D.
