How to Make Elderberry Syrup for Babies
For those who want to make elderberry syrup for babies but don't want to use honey this recipe is for you.
Most elderberry syrup recipes call for honey, but for babies under one honey is contraindicated. This recipe is a perfect way make elderberry syrup for babies.
Elderberry Syrup for Babies
When babies are sick the best way to keep them healthy is to continue to breastfeed. If you're not breastfeeding, or if you would simply like to boost their immune system, babies that have already begun dabbling with table food may use elderberries.
Elderberries are a sweet, tasty and simple way to decrease the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.
(If you don't want to make your own syrup, you can buy Sambucol (which is made with glucose, citric acid and potassium sorbate... which I'm not a fan of) or this elderberry juice concentrate. However, making elderberry syrup at home is extremely cheap and simple.)
How to Make Elderberry Syrup for Babies
Note: I am not a doctor, or any sort of medical professional. The information in this blog post is coming from my experience as mama and herbal enthusiast.
Step 1: Make a Thick Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
½ cup of organic cane sugar
¼ cup of water
Instructions
- Combine sugar with water in a pot on a stove over medium heat.
- Stir constantly until you can no longer see the sugar granules. Do not bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and store in a glass mason jar. (It's a good idea to sterilize the jar.)
- Store your simple syrup in the refrigerator.
Note: Sugar acts as a preservative which is another reason the simple syrup is helpful when making your own elderberry syrup.
Step 2: Make Elderberry Juice
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
½ cup of whole organic elderberries
Instructions
- Pour ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for an hour.
- While simmering, use a spoon to mash elderberries so that it gets really mixed up.
- After an hour or when about ½ cup of water have evaporated, remove from heat.
- Strain elderberries and pour elderberry concentrate in a sterilized mason jar.
Step 3: Create Elderberry Syrup for Babies
Ingredients:
3 parts Elderberry Concentrate
1 part Thick Simple Syrup
Instructions
- Combine ingredients.
- Store in a glass mason jar.
NOTE: You can sweeten this recipe to taste. If you prefer, use less or more thick simple syrup to cater to your needs.
NOTE: Head on over here for instructions on how to make Instant Pot elderberry syrup. Simply substitute honey with the simple syrup described in this recipe.
Elderberry Syrup for Babies Dosage
- Babies can take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of elderberry syrup per day for daily maintenance.
- During times of cold and flu this can be increased to 2-3 times per day.
TIP: Create "elderberry ice cubes" by mixing elderberry syrup and breast milk. Put on a highchair tray for a yummy snack and some sensory play.
TIP: You could also try a mesh baby feeder for a similar result.
TIP: The easiest thing, I think, is using a small syringe. Mercy thought it was amusing!
Elderberry Syrup for Babies
Most elderberry syrup recipes call for honey, but for babies under one honey is contraindicated. This recipe for elderberry syrup is perfect for babies.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup of water
- ½ cup of whole organic elderberries
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- To make a simple syrup, combine sugar with water in a pot on a stove over medium heat.
- Stir constantly until you can no longer see the sugar granules. Do not bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and store simple syrup in a glass mason jar.
- Pour elderberries and water in separate pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for an hour.
- While simmering, use a spoon to mash elderberries.
- After an hour or when about ½ cup of water have evaporated, remove from heat.
- Strain elderberries and pour elderberry juice in a sterilized mason jar.
- To finish, combine three parts elderberry juice to one part simple syrup.
- Store in refrigerator.
Notes
- Babies can take ¼ – ½ teaspoon of elderberry syrup per day for daily maintenance.
- During times of cold and flu this can be increased to 2-3 times per day.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 120 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 3Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Where to Buy Elderberries
I buy a lot of my essential oils, herbs and tea from Frontier on Amazon. They are a quality company you can trust. (In fact I buy my beeswax and tins to make green salve and all the ingredients I need to make my facial cleanser, all from Frontier.)
How Old does a baby need to be to take this? I have an 11 week old and hoping to boost her immune system since we have older kids with friends who have the flu.
Hi! Thank you for this! My 11 month old has had a “cold”/ “flu” thing for over a month (along with my other 3 kids...). A few weeks ago she was hospitalized for pneumonia, bronchiolitis, para-influenza and a couple viruses... She’s recovered from that, but has had this wicked cough and lots of muscles for the past two weeks. No fever this time so it’s not a hospital emergency. So I’m so hoping this elderberry syrup will help her kick it! I ended up using dried berries. It’s the end of winter up here in Calgary, Canada so no fresh ones. I assume it’s the same recipe for dried? I did use fewer berries (1/3 c instead of 1/2...).
Anyway, thank you for this honey-free recipe!
I meant “mucus”, not “muscles”!
Is your recipe for dried or fresh berries?
dried
Would it be okay not to add sugar? I'd rather not give additional sugar to my baby if I don't have to.
Yes, but you'll likely need to use something if you want baby to take it a second time ;). Try some agave syrup, or stevia, or something. Also, the sugar or honey thickens the mixture, which is helpful. Let me know what you decided to do and how it went! I'd love to hear your feedback.
Can this be used for adults? If so, what would the dose be?
Try this: https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/02/natural-cold-and-flu-remedy-elderberry-syrup.html
Can you use fresh berries? Would it be the same directions/recipe?
I would imagine you would need more fresh berries to get things to equal out to the dried berries. Try using double the amount of elderberries if using fresh. Also, you may need to use less water in the recipe too. Hope that helps!
Thank you for this recipe! What is the youngest that a baby can be to use this recipe?
How long after it's made can I give to my LO?
Once it has cooled it's good to go!
Hello,
My water always seems to evaporate very quickly when using the suggested water to dried elderberry ratio. I boil very low too. What could be going wrong? Thank you
I'm not sure! But adding more water is totally ok. 🙂
I was wondering if you could use agave nectar instead? Would that preserve it?
Yes! Agave nectar acts as a preservative as well. 🙂
I am sorry if someone has already asked this.
But what would a child and adult dose be? I usually buy gummies for my 5 year old and myself but the product I usually buy increased in price drastically! So I’d like to start making it myself. (:
Elderberry Syrup Recipe Dosage Instructions
For Daily Maintenance: Adults: Take 2 teaspoons daily, Children: Take 1 teaspoon daily.
For Intensive Use: Adults: Take 1 tablespoon four times daily, Children: Take 1 tablespoon two times daily.
Hi Lindsey,
Would it be ok to give this to a 3 month old? I was thinking of adding 1/2 tsp to his bottle.
Thank you.
I'd ask your care provider. 😉
What if I just leave out simple syrup and give elderberry concentrate? In smaller amounts obv
Go for it!
Can I can this recipe in a water bath?
Honestly, I am not sure. I am ignorant of canning!
I did! ♀️ lol
Hello! Love your recipe! Question, if I make a big batch of this. Should I let the water evaporate by 1/4 still? In your recipe of 1/2C berries to 2C water you say to let 1/2 cup water evaporate which would be 1/4 of the water in your recipe so I'm wondering if I should still do that. I'm making 4C berries to 16C Water and it just seems like a lot to have a 1/4 of the water evaporate lol. What do you think?
Yeah, I'd still let it evaporate, but that's my personal preference. You may want to check out my post about making elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot.https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2019/02/instant-pot-elderberry-syrup.html