Can I give Janam ghutti to a 3-month-old baby?

No. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, without additional drinks or herbal preparations.

Is Janam ghutti with honey safe after six months?

No. Honey should be avoided until at least 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism, according to the CDC.

Can I Give Janam Ghutti to My Baby?

Janam ghutti remains a familiar recommendation in many Indian households, particularly when a young baby has colic, gas or appears unsettled. Traditional use, however, does not necessarily mean a product is suitable for an infant’s developing digestive system. For babies under six months, routine Janam ghutti for babies is best avoided.

Why Is Janam Ghutti Not Recommended for Young Babies?

According to Dr Anjan Kumar TM, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, “According to WHO and IAP, Janam ghutti should be avoided, especially in babies less than 6 months of age.”

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, meaning a breastfed baby normally requires no additional foods or drinks, including water.

Dr Kumar explains, “Water, tonics or herbal mixes can fill the baby’s stomach and reduce the desire to feed.”

What If Janam Ghutti Contains Honey?

Ingredients vary by product, so check the label. Do not give any preparation containing honey before a baby’s first birthday.

The CDC warns that honey given before 12 months can cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by Clostridium botulinum spores.

Dr Kumar also cautions, “Some of these ghuttis can contain honey, which can cause infant botulism in babies under 1 year of age.”

Does Janam Ghutti Help With Colic or Digestion?

Claims that Janam ghutti improves digestion, immunity or colic have not been established by strong clinical evidence.

A systematic review indexed by PubMed found that although some complementary treatments for infantile colic showed promising results, the available trials had important limitations and did not provide strong support for complementary remedies overall.

Dr Kumar therefore advises, “There is no strong scientific proof that ghutti is beneficial for colic pain, digestion or immunity; hence, it is best avoided.”

What Should Babies Have Instead?

For babies under six months:

Breast milk should be offered on demand where breastfeeding is established.
Appropriate infant formula should be used when formula feeding.
Herbal tonics, ghutti, honey and unnecessary supplementary drinks should be avoided.
Persistent crying, poor feeding or digestive symptoms should be discussed with a paediatrician.

Janam ghutti for babies, particularly those under six months, is unnecessary and may introduce avoidable risks without proven benefits. Breast milk or appropriate infant formula should provide a young baby’s nutrition and hydration, while ongoing colic, feeding or digestive concerns deserve medical assessment rather than routine herbal remedies.

FAQs on Janam Ghutti for Babies

Can I give Janam ghutti to a 3-month-old baby?
No. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, without additional drinks or herbal preparations.
Is Janam ghutti with honey safe after six months?
No. Honey should be avoided until at least 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism, according to the CDC.