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Introducing new foods to a baby’s diet is an exciting milestone for both parents and the little one. But before you go ahead, you need to make sure it’s safe for baby.
If you are wondering if babies can have Honey Graham crackers, the answer is a BIG NO.
Honey graham crackers are made from honey and other sweeteners which are not advisable for babies under a year old. Plus, they offer little nutritional value.
I don’t recommend giving Honey graham crackers or any other type of store bought biscuits not designed for for babies and even toddlers to your little one. There are lots of great recipe books and blogs out there which help make feeding times fun and less stressful.
In this post, I’ll go over some of the potential risks of giving honey graham crackers and other sugary biscuits to infants and when it is safe to give them some.
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Are Honey Graham Crackers Safe For Babies?
Honey graham crackers are not safe for babies under one year old. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why some people think it’s bad, and the real reason why it’s not safe.
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Can Honey Graham Crackers Cause Botulism?
One of the reasons why people think these crackers are bad for babies is because babies have underdeveloped immune systems and honey sometimes contains a dangerous bacteria that can give babies a serious case of food poisoning called botulism.
With that being said, it’s important to understand that honey in Graham crackers are baked and processed so the chances of any bacteria living in the honey is almost zero. Only raw honey can lead to botulism.
So if your baby accidentally took a bite of those yummy honey graham crackers, don’t worry. It’s absolutely fine and nothing is going to happen to your little one.
However, don’t intentionally give them to your baby just yet.
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High In Sugar
Sugar is very bad for babies and honey graham crackers have a ton of it. This is the main reason I wouldn’t recommend these type of biscuits and other processed foods. Eating a lot of sugar can lead to preventable diseases like high blood pressure and heart diseases as well as painful tooth decay.
Sugary foods will also contribute to unhealthy weight gain in babies. If this isn’t bad enough it has also been shown to reduce concentration levels in early childhood.
Introducing sweet foods at such a young age could also cause your little one to develop a preference for sweet foods and develop unhealthy eating habits that can continue through into adult life.
Sugar is not necessary for a baby’s diet! Even the AAP recommends avoiding added sugars for infants under 2 years old.
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Have Additives And Preservatives
Honey Graham crackers have additives and preservatives which are pretty much chemicals added to food to enhance its color, flavor, texture, or shelf life.
Most biscuit additives and preservatives are harmful and sometimes addictive too. They can cause allergic reactions, hyperactivity and behavioral issues in babies.
Additives and preservatives can also disrupt the delicate balance of a baby’s gut microbiome, leading to digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and colic.
Choking Hazard
Biscuits like honey graham crackers are also a choking hazard for babies since they are hard and can be difficult to chew and swallow.
Can Lead to Constipation
Honey Graham crackers have 0% dietary fiber or roughage.
Giving them a lot of it can spell trouble for your baby’s digestion, leading to constipation so severe it can cause some serious complications like vomiting and even blood in their poop.
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High In Sodium
Honey Graham crackers have about 6% (140 mg) of sodium.
Consuming too much sodium can lead to dehydration, especially babies who are still breastfeeding or formula-feeding and don’t drink enough fluids yet. Plus, excessive sodium intake causes high blood pressure as well.
Developing a balanced diet
Feeding your little one can feel overwhelming but It can also be lots of fun and really bonding.
Babies have different preferences for textures and tastes and different susceptibilities to allergies, so don’t be too concerned if your baby shows doesn’t show an interest in food as soon as another, or is more fussy, keep perserveering with different textures and tastes so that your little one enjoys a variety of food and a balanced die. You can give your little one healthier snacks.
Final Thoughts
Some people might believe that honey Graham crackers are bad for babies because they are made from honey and honey can cause botulism, which is not true because the honey in these crackers is processed and baked.
Honey Graham crackers and almost all other commercial biscuits are bad for babies and I have outlined some of the reasons, but there are a lot more.
Feeding your little one can feel overwhelming, but It can also be lots of fun and a really bonding experience. Different Babies have different preferences for textures and tastes, as well as different susceptibilities to allergies.
Therefore don’t be too concerned if your baby doesn’t show an interest in food as soon as another baby, or is more fussy, persevere with different textures and tastes so that your little one has a balanced and varied diet.
FAQs
I accidentally gave my baby honey graham crackers – what should I do?
If you accidentally gave your baby honey graham crackers, don’t panic. Your baby is going to be alright! A few bites or a biscuit will not do any harm. Always, make sure you stay with your baby or toddler when they are eating and are able to assist them.
It’s not advisable to wean babies under six months of age and Harder foods such as biscuits could be a choking hazard. It is important that your baby gets used to eating different textured food and passing it around their mouth, soft fruits and vegetables such as cooked carrot sticks, or brocoli, cucumber slices, cooked sweet potato, small amounts of banana would be a better starting point.
Gagging is different from choking, babies do sometimes cough a little when they are getting used to different textures, this is a natural protection against choking. It’s advisable for all new parents or childcarers likely to be responsible for caring for your little one to have taken a baby first aid course so that they know what to do in the event of choking.
To prevent choking make sure that food isn’t hard. Foods such as fruit and veg is soft and small fruits such as cherries, grapes and strawberries should be cut four ways.
Can 1 year olds eat honey graham crackers?
It is generally considered safe for 1 year olds to eat honey graham crackers, but they still have added sugars, additives, sodium and all the other harmful ingredients we talked about and can be a choking hazard for children.