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At what age can a child be given honey
Honey is a favorite delicacy and medicine that helps with many diseases. It is eaten with pleasure by adults and children. Honey should and can be given to a child. However, you need to know when to start doing this, how much to give a treat, and why this extremely healing product is not useful for everyone.
At what age can honey be given to children
According to pediatricians, it is best to start teaching a child to honey at the age of 3. This is explained by the fact that honey belongs to allergenic products. A child’s body is much more sensitive than an adult to changes in nutrition and can give an allergic reaction to a new dish. At 3 years old, your baby’s digestive and immune systems are already more resilient and can benefit from this healing treat.
At what age honey will bring the greatest benefit to children depends on the child.
In terms of chemical composition, honey is close to the composition of blood, which is why it is so beneficial for health, it helps children to develop faster and not get sick. But, like other highly allergenic foods – eggs, fish, citrus fruits, chocolate – it requires careful and gradual introduction into the child’s diet.
If the sweetness is collected by the “correct bees”, that is, it is not a fake, the baby does not suffer from allergies, the relatives are not allergic to bee products, then you can give the baby a drop of honey in the water after a year. Until a year, doctors do not advise experimenting with this product, since the reaction can be unpredictable.
How much honey can be given to a child, to whom it is harmful
If acquaintance with honey happened without problems earlier, then the norms for the consumption of delicacies per day are as follows:
- after a year – up to 1/2 tsp;
- after 2 years – up to 1 tsp;
- after 3 – 1-2 tsp;
- 3-5 – up to 20 g;
- 6-9 – up to 50 years.
It is desirable to divide the daily dose into 2-3 doses. After a month of daily use, take a break for up to 3 weeks.
If there is a reaction in the form:
- small rash on the skin;
- runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath;
- nausea, diarrhea, it is necessary to exclude honey and consult a pediatrician.
If honey is to blame for this, you will have to give it up.
You can not use this beekeeping product with individual intolerance, diabetes mellitus, exudative diathesis.
How best to administer honey to children
To reduce the allergenicity of honey, it is better to mix it with already familiar dishes and drinks;
- kefir, tea, water;
- porridge, cottage cheese;
- add to baked goods.
When adding honey to tea or water, remember that it is harmful in hot drinks. It is added only to warm drinks. If the child refuses honey, you should not insist on taking it. The time will come and the kid will appreciate the pleasant taste and healing properties of honey.
The correct introduction of such a unique delicacy into the baby’s diet will make him healthier, smarter and stronger.