EDUCATION
October 23, 24

Is Manuka Honey Safe for Children?

EDUCATION

16 minutes

Essential Takeaways

Manuka honey is safe for children over one year old. Infants younger than 12 months may not have developed the ability to digest the naturally occurring bacteria that adults can regularly come into contact with and process safely. Feeding young infants honey puts them at risk of a rare but serious condition called infant botulism.

Honey isn’t the only product that carries this risk. The spores that cause botulism come from soil sediment and can also infect fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Other natural sweeteners like molasses and corn syrup may also be harmful to infants. At 12 months, they will have developed the capacity to process these spores safely.

The best Manuka honey for kids is UMF™ grade Manuka honey. The higher the grade, the more potent its antibacterial benefits, so lower grades are suitable for daily wellness whilst higher grades are better for medical purposes. This guide will help you choose the right Manuka honey for your child.

It is not safe to use Manuka honey for infants.

But children over a year old can enjoy and benefit from Manuka honey just like adults.

So whether you’re looking to boost your kids’ daily wellness or searching for a safe and all-natural remedy for more serious conditions, you’re in the right place.

We’ll delve deeply into the age restrictions on honey for children, the benefits of Manuka honey for kids, our recommendations of the best honey to buy depending on use, and where to get your top-notch, child-safe Manuka honey.

In this guide to using Manuka honey for children:

Here’s why you might worry about honey for your child
The benefits of Manuka honey for children (with recommendations)
Where to buy your pure, raw Manuka honey
Manuka honey for kids FAQs

NB: Always check with your doctor before changing your child’s diet if you’re concerned that their health and wellbeing could be compromised.

Here’s Why You Might be Worried About Honey for Your Child

Did you hear somewhere that honey isn’t safe for kids? There’s a good reason for this, but it’s not the full story.

You should never use pure, raw Manuka honey for newborns or infants. The main risk associated with this is infant botulism¹.

The condition is rare, but serious. It is caused by Clostridium botulinum spores when they grow into active bacteria. They come mostly from soil and soil sediment, but can make their way into natural products like fruit, vegetables, seafood, and honey².

Other natural sweeteners like molasses and corn syrup can also carry these spores. So it’s generally advised not to give infants these kinds of products before their first birthday¹.

So what happens after they turn one?

Our digestive systems develop their defences over time. Babies can’t fight off harmful toxins and bacteria as well as adults can.

After around 12 months old, our digestive tracts are able to handle more of the common bacteria we come into contact with and safely process anything potentially harmful³.

After children have developed the normal capacity for these naturally-occurring bacteria, they can share in the versatile health and wellness benefits Manuka honey has to offer.

(This will be true of most healthy children, but it’s always best to get a doctor’s advice if you’re still unsure).

Here’s how our customers feel about using Manuka honey for children:

“I did a lot of research for this as my daughter was having tummy troubles. Our daughter had an infection last winter (tested positive with a pediatric gastroenterologist prior to using this Manuka honey) and we paired this honey with colostrum (high in lactoferrin which is shown to be effective against H Pylori) and after a month she tested negative.

Additionally her BMs changed from undigested food in her stools to a normal looking poo. We were so relieved as she had struggled with this her whole young life (she was just 2.5 at the time of treatment).”

- Brianna G., verified buyer | UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

“It's [a] great product, I've been giving it to my child since he was 5 years old. We noticed he's getting less [cough] and the flu even in school days, I recommend it to all the family.”

- Jean A., verified buyer | UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+

“My 3 year old baby had a bad staph infection from a wound that would not heal, (the wound would keep opening for weeks and never fully heal). I apply some of the Manuka Honey UMF™24+ MGO1122+ and it made a scab and healed in just 4 days. She doesn't even have a scar. I love this thing!!”

- Jessica, verified buyer | UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

The Benefits of Manuka Honey for Children (with Recommendations)

“Finally, we have a safe and effective alternative to OTC [over the counter] cough and cold remedies for young children with upper respiratory infections.”

- A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep, 2013 study⁴.

Thanks to its potent antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, we have a wealth of scientific studies on Manuka honey.

From wound healing and boosting the immune system to easing allergies and colds, strep throat and more, Manuka honey is useful for the whole family.

Specific scientific studies using Manuka honey for children are less common than adults for obvious reasons - but we do have a few.

Here’s what they’ve found:

Honey can be an effective natural alternative to over-the-counter medications for coughs, cold, and upper respiratory infections⁴ in children.
Multiple studies have found honey to be effective in wound healing for children and may even be faster and safer than conventional treatments⁵,⁶.
Manuka honey can reduce the impact of harmful bacteria in the mouth and protect children against developing oral cavities and tooth decay⁷.
Manuka honey can ease the oral inflammation and pain that children receiving chemotherapy for leukaemia commonly experience⁸.
A study of dialysis wound care suggested that even though no studies exist specifically with children yet, honey is a promising natural option that should be investigated for paediatric patients⁹.

These studies and anecdotal evidence from customer feedback suggest that children can benefit from using Manuka honey just like adults.

But the best results come from pure, raw Manuka honey - and sometimes, this isn’t what you’ll find on grocery store shelves.

Honey is one of the most faked foods in the world. Without knowing what to look for on the label, you could end up feeding your kids a diluted, sugary substance with little health benefits left to offer.

That’s why it’s important to look for the UMF™ certification.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) grading system was created to test and verify authentic Manuka honey. Only fresh, monofloral Manuka honey produced and packaged in New Zealand can receive a UMF™ grade. By choosing this kind of honey, you can be sure that you’re getting the real deal.

The UMF™ grades vary by their methylglyoxal (MGO) content, which indicates the potency of the honey. That’s why you’ll see two numbers on each jar, for example: UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+.

The UMF™ grade that’s right for you and your kids all depends on what you want to use it for.

So here are some ways that you can use Manuka honey for children, along with the UMF™ grades we recommend for each purpose.

For your kids’ general health and wellness

By topping up our bodies with extra antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, Manuka honey helps us to function optimally.

From better sleep¹⁰ to appetite management and fast, safe healing, Manuka honey can keep the whole family feeling their best. Lower grades are perfect for daily wellness, with a sweet, mild flavour that your kids will love.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for kids’ daily wellness:

Ways to give your kids Manuka honey for daily wellness:

A spoonful with breakfast or before bed.
A dollop on their cereal or oats.
Slathered on toast for a nutritious snack.
A healthy natural sweetener in a fruit smoothie.

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To sustain kids’ energy throughout the day

Kids aren’t often short on energy, but if they’re burning out quickly or getting tired at school, Manuka honey might help.

Research shows that Manuka honey gives us longer-lasting energy than refined sugars and helps our bodies feel good and keep going for longer¹¹. This also curbs the appetite and lowers the chances of snacking on unhealthy, sweet foods throughout the day.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for energy:

Ways to give your children Manuka honey for energy:

Bake delicious kumara brownies using Manuka honey.
Make healthy bliss balls for a snack during the day.
Mix up an after-school Manuka honey chia pudding to keep them going until dinner.

Learn more about Manuka honey as a natural energy source.

To boost kids’ immunity

Manuka honey has been found to regulate the immune system, trigger a response when needed, and help the body to heal itself safely from the inside out¹².

Keep your kids’ bodies fighting fit year-round with all-natural Manuka honey. Opt for the lower grades for regular everyday immunity or higher grades when they’re starting to get sick or already feeling under the weather.

Higher grades generally taste a little bit more bitter, so your child might enjoy it more when combined with other foods or mixed into a drink.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for kids’ immunity:

Ways to give your kids Manuka honey for immunity:

A spoonful with a meal or at bedtime.

In a warming, immunity-boosting drink.

Stirred into a soup or drizzled onto their vegetables for an extra nutrient hit (just be sure to cool your food before adding Manuka honey).

Learn more about Manuka honey for the immune system.

To help children fight colds and flu

As soon as our children start going to daycare or school, the regular colds, sniffles, and coughs start - and it feels like they never end!

There have been awful stories of side-effects with over-the-counter medication for children, resulting in research for safe, natural alternatives.

Manuka honey has been found to offer great results with much less risk.

“As physicians (and parents), we understand the desire to give a coughing child something to ease the symptoms. We also know that OTC cough and cold medications can lead to serious complications, and even death.

But warning parents of the dangers of giving them to young children without offering an alternative doesn’t satisfy anyone’s needs, and many parents continue to use these medications.

For children older than one year with a viral URI (upper respiratory infection), we can now recommend 1.5 tsp honey to be given prior to bedtime as a cough remedy. This may reduce the use of potentially harmful and often ineffective OTC cough and cold remedies.”

- A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep, 2013 study⁴.

With Manuka honey, you can curb those regular sniffles and coughs by keeping your kids healthy through the seasons.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for allergies, colds and flu:

Ways to give your children Manuka honey for allergies, colds and flu:

A spoonful with breakfast to kick off their day right. The higher grades are richer in flavour, so they may prefer it mixed into milk or oatmeal instead.
Slather some Manuka honey on toast for a morning or afternoon snack.
Manuka honey and pumpkin soup for little ones already under the weather (be sure to add your honey after the soup has cooled - here’s why).

Learn more about Manuka honey for colds and flu, sore throats, and strep throat.

To ease digestive problems and reflux in children

Research has found Manuka honey to be an effective natural remedy for a variety of stomach problems like gastritis, gastric ulcers, ulcerative colitis¹³, GERD, and acid reflux¹⁴.

The antioxidant properties of honey get to work on troublesome free radical cells (thought to be a key aggravating factor for stomach issues), while its anti-inflammatory compounds help to heal the damage caused by reflux and soothe sore throats and tummies¹⁵.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for kids' digestion and stomach problems:

Ways to give your children Manuka honey for digestion and stomach problems:

Give them a spoonful of honey just before meals to help with digestion.

Make them a nutrient-packed, easy to digest smoothie with Manuka honey. This might help take the edge off the taste of the higher, more medicinal grades.

Soothe throats and prepare tummies with a healthy green tea, adding Manuka honey once it has cooled.

Learn more about Manuka honey for stomach problems and acid reflux.

To treat skin conditions, scars, and burns for kids

Kids are always getting injured - it’s how they play and learn about the world.

Manuka honey is used by doctors and vets throughout the world to heal some of the nastiest wounds safely, without risking infection or antibiotic resistance¹⁶.

With this in mind, keeping a jar of Manuka honey in your home first-aid kit is a great way to protect your kids against all manner of cuts, scrapes, burns, and scars. It’s also a fantastic remedy for chronic skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Manuka honey works by cleaning and clearing the affected area of bacteria, layering a moisture barrier over the top and keeping skin hydrated while it heals¹⁷.

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for wound healing and skin issues:

If the wound or skin complaint is relatively minor, then these grades below are suitable:

For infected or more severe injuries, opt for the highest grade you can:

Ways to give your children Manuka honey for wounds and skin issues:

Make your own Manuka honey wound dressing using our instructions here.
Make a homemade Manuka honey skin balm for their bedside table.
Have a cosy night at home with Manuka honey and turmeric face masks for an almighty nutrient boost their skin will love.

NB: Always get a doctor’s advice before using anything for medical purposes. Children with allergies to bees should not eat honey or use honey on wounds.

Learn more about using Manuka honey for wound healing.

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To ease the side effects of chemotherapy for children

Chemotherapy can have a host of nasty side effects on patients, whatever their age. Studies have found that Manuka honey can ease some of these impacts for children⁸ (and adults¹⁸).

From tiredness to brain fog, inflammation, weakened immunity and more, Manuka honey could help your child face this challenging time with a little more comfort.

“My daughter was diagnosed with bone cancer. The chemo was harsh and we were told it would cause painful mouth sores. So when I read that Manuka honey is clinically proven to treat and prevent CIOM (chemo induced oral mucositis), I had to try it.

Through 6 months of chemo she never had the first mouth sore. It also helped with her immune system and weight maintenance. We love it. And it will always be in our home.”

- Amanda P., verified buyer | UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+

Our recommendations for Manuka honey for chemotherapy:

Our customers have seen positive results using UMF™ 15+ and higher. We recommend the highest grades possible for conditions like cancer and chemotherapy side effects:

Ways to give your children Manuka honey to ease chemotherapy treatment:

You can’t beat a comforting spoonful of raw Manuka honey before or after treatments.

Drizzle Manuka honey over their protein or vegetables to help make those crucial vitamins and nutrients a bit tastier.

Give them something rich and delicious to look forward to with this dark chocolate and Manuka honey pudding.
Ease their skin issues and have a fun afternoon of crafting with our DIY Manuka honey skin balm recipe.

Learn more about Manuka honey for cancer treatment.

Get Your Pure, Raw, UMF™ Grade Manuka Honey for Kids

Whichever Manuka honey you choose for your children, make sure that you’re getting the real deal.

Our UMF™ certified Manuka honey is produced and packaged exclusively in New Zealand. It’s glyphosate free, non-GMO, and fully traceable.

We only deal in real. 1 ingredient, 2000 natural compounds.

Get yours here.

Still unsure which grade is right for your children?

Take the quiz.

FAQs: Manuka Honey for Infants and Children

Quick answers to your questions about using Manuka honey for kids.

Is Manuka honey safe for children?

Manuka honey is safe for most healthy children over one year old. Infants younger than one are at risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by naturally-occuring bacteria that their digestive systems are not developed enough to process safely.

Can one year olds have honey?

Yes, most healthy one year olds can have honey. Their digestive systems should be able to process the naturally-occuring bacteria that can sometimes cause harm to younger infants. It’s best to start small with the dosing to allow time to catch any reactions, particularly if your child has a history of allergic symptoms. Always check with your doctor before changing your child’s diet if you’re unsure.

Can my 18 month old have honey?

Yes, your 18 month old can have honey if they are healthy and not allergic to bees. Infants younger than one year old are at risk of infant botulism if they consume honey. This rare but serious condition is the result of naturally-occuring bacteria turning toxic in their immature digestive systems. By 18 months old, they should have developed the capacity to digest these spores in the same way that adults can. It’s always best to check with your doctor before introducing new foods to your toddler’s diet.

Is honey safe for newborns?

No, honey is not safe for newborns. Pure, raw honey can be contaminated by naturally-occurring spores called Clostridium botulinum, which come from soil sediment. Children and adults can process these spores safely, but infant digestive systems are not developed enough, and they can turn toxic. This rare but serious condition is called infant botulism, and it can be life-threatening for infants. Wait until your child turns one to give them honey.

Can you give Manuka honey to infants?

Manuka honey is safe to give to healthy children over the age of one. If they are younger than a year old, their digestive systems are not mature enough to safely process the potentially harmful bacteria that can get into pure, raw products like honey. Always check with your doctor before changing your little one’s diet.

Which Manuka honey is best for kids?

The best Manuka honey for your kids depends on what you want to use it for. For daily health and wellness, a UMF™ 10+ grade Manuka honey is perfect. To give them a stronger immunity boost and fight off colds and flu, opt for a jar of UMF™ 15+ or 20+ Manuka honey. For less regular and more serious conditions, use the highest grades with the greatest antibacterial potency: UMF™ 24+, 26+ and 28+.

Is Manuka honey safe for children with cancer?

Research has found that Manuka honey can help children deal with the harsh side effects of chemotherapy during cancer treatment⁸. Studies using children are rare, but we do have a few promising results from in-vivo cancer studies using Manuka honey. For more information, check out this piece on Manuka honey for breast cancer.

Is there an age restriction for higher UMF™ grades of Manuka honey?

Anyone over the age of one can use any of the UMF™ grades. The higher grades contain more methylglyoxal (MGO), which is the main compound associated with the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey. It’s safe to consume, though we would typically recommend the lower grades for daily wellness and the higher grades for more targeted, serious health complaints.

Is Manuka honey good for my kid’s cough?

Yes, research has found Manuka honey to be an effective, natural remedy for cough in children. One study titled “A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep (2013)” recommends using honey alongside or instead of traditional medications for safer results. Genuine Manuka honey is tested to the highest purity and quality standards in the world, providing you with more certainty over what you’re giving to your little one.

Is Manuka honey good for kids’ immune systems?

Studies conducted on adults, along with a wealth of anecdotal evidence for children suggests that Manuka honey is great for kids’ immune systems. Our customers have left testimonials telling us that Manuka honey helps their children to get sick less often and recover much faster. Read the reviews here.

Can you use Manuka honey on infant wounds?

We know that feeding honey to infants under one year old puts them at risk of infant botulism. We don’t know if putting Manuka honey on their wounds is beneficial or equally dangerous, so it’s best to avoid using honey for anything with your infant until they’ve had their first birthday.