Maple Syrup

It is safe to add maple syrup to food as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, however it can be beneficial to wait until the child is older. While an occasional taste of maple syrup is fine, regularly consuming excessive amounts of sugary foods can increase the risk of cavities as baby’s teeth erupt and decrease a child’s motivation to try other food.

Sinzibuckwud, the Algonquin word for maple syrup, means “drawn from wood,” and suggests the origins of this ingredient, as well as how it is made. For a brief period in the spring, sap is collected from a living tree—four species of maple are best for this, as they produce the sweetest sap—and then boiled down until it is reduced to a sweet, thick syrup. In Indigenous communities throughout what is now the United States and Canada, maple syrup is a traditional food, and the collecting and boiling of the sap is a celebrated ritual of spring.

Yes. Maple syrup is safe for babies as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids. Honey is well-known for its association with a risk of infant botulism, a neurological condition caused by toxins made by Clostridia botulinum spores, but this is not a known common risk in maple syrup.

No, maple syrup is not a common allergen, though some individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome) have had reactions to raw, unprocessed maple sap, but not to the cooked final maple syrup. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of maple syrup for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

No. Maple syrup as an ingredient presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food and candy, taffy, and other foods that contain maple syrup can pose an increased risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve any food for baby’s age and developmental ability. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

None! Put solid food directly on baby’s tray, plate, or bowl, then let baby explore with their hands. If you like, keep a baby spoon or fork nearby to help familiarize the child with utensils, but the skills to use them are not expected until early toddlerhood.

While a high chair can help create a safe eating environment, there are alternative ways for baby to eat safely, such as holding the child on your lap or sitting together on the floor. For more information, see our article on high chairs.