I've heard that I shouldn't feed my baby honey. Is this true? – Cait Yes, babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. They also can contaminate some foods — honey, in particular. Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and decreased muscle tone (floppiness). Parents can help prevent infant botulism by not giving their baby honey or any processed foods containing honey (like honey graham crackers) until after their child's first birthday. Light and dark corn syrups might also contain botulism-causing bacteria, but a link hasn't been proved. Check with your doctor before giving these syrups to a baby. As kids get older, they can have honey because their mature digestive systems move the Clostridium bacteria spores through the body before they can cause harm. Back to Articles Related Articles Infant Botulism Infant botulism can happen if a baby ingests bacteria that make toxins inside the body. Treatment can help a baby who gets it recover fully. Read More Germs: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Protozoa Germs are the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease. Read More Feeding Your Newborn These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what's right for you and your baby. Read More Feeding Your 1- to 3-Month-Old Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, your infant will let you know when it's time to eat. Read More Feeding Your 4- to 7-Month-Old Is your baby is ready for solid foods? Learn how and when to get started. Read More Feeding Your 8- to 12-Month-Old At this age, babies start to explore table foods. Read More Starting Your Baby on Solid Foods (Video) Find out if your baby is ready for solid foods, and if so, what to give, how to give it, and which foods to avoid. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.