Source: Anniete Ibijoke Osanyinpeju

Picture of a crawling baby. (Photo by Kahar Erbol on Unsplash)

Claim: A post on X (formerly Twitter) alleged that giving a crawling baby a teaspoon of powdered moringa leaves mixed with honey daily will help them walk faster.

Verdict: ❌ False. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, honey poses a serious health risk to infants under one year, including the possibility of infant botulism.

Crawling to Walking: What Science Says

Child development experts agree that walking is a natural milestone most babies achieve between 10 and 18 months. Some may walk earlier or later depending on individual growth rates, muscle development, and health status. A delay in walking may be due to:

• Motor development disorders (like cerebral palsy)
• Down syndrome
• Environmental factors or malnutrition
• Learning or genetic conditions

These milestones cannot be artificially accelerated with herbal or home mixtures.

The Claim and Online Reactions

An X user, self-described as a “chief herbalist,” posted:

“A teaspoonful of powdered moringa leaves mixed with honey, given to a baby once every day, makes a crawling child walk faster. Nature heals.”

The post gained massive traction:

• 1.6 million+ views
• 4,900+ likes
• 1,700+ retweets
• 3,000 bookmarks

However, it also drew criticism from doctors and concerned parents, with some calling it “dangerous” and “misleading.” Others questioned why anyone would want to rush a baby’s natural development.

What Experts and Science Say

1. Is Moringa Safe for Babies?

Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. However:

• They may be hard to digest for infants, especially under six months.
• Raw or unboiled moringa powder can carry pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli if poorly stored.
• A 2019 Journal of Food Protection study stressed the need for boiling Moringa leaf powder to reduce microbial risks.

2. Why Honey is Dangerous for Babies Under 1 Year

Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These spores can:

• Germinate in a baby’s immature digestive system
• Release toxins that paralyze muscles
• Cause breathing difficulties, known as infant botulism

Health bodies like WHO, CDC, and FDA all warn:

🚫 Do not give honey to infants below 12 months.

A 1979 study in The Journal of Pediatrics and a 2012 review in The Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health confirmed the risks of infant botulism from honey.

• Oluwatitofunmi Ipinmoye, Clinical Dietitian: “Giving honey to a baby can cause death due to botulism. It’s unsafe before 12 months.”
• Dr. Lydia Okon, Medical Doctor, Isolo General Hospital: “Honey may contain toxins that paralyze muscles. Moringa, too, should only be introduced with a doctor’s guidance.”
• Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), Licensed Medical Doctor: “Infant botulism is real. It can be prevented by avoiding honey in baby diets.”

The viral claim that moringa leaves mixed with honey help crawling children walk faster is false and potentially harmful.

Parents should avoid:

• Giving babies under 12 months honey (due to risk of botulism)
• Introducing herbal remedies without medical supervision

Instead, focus on:
✅ Proper nutrition
✅ Encouraging safe play and movement
✅ Routine health checkups

Remember: Every child walks at their own pace. Rushing milestones with unverified remedies can do more harm than good.