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:
1/2 cup of organic cane sugar
1/4 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
1/2 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 1/2 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 1/4 – 1/2 tsp 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
- 1/2 cup of organic cane sugar
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/4 – 1/2 tsp 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.)
Nikki
Thursday 4th of February 2021
Is it okay to give a 3 month old elderberry syrup that has ginger in it?
Lindsey VanAlstyne
Thursday 11th of February 2021
I'm not sure. Maybe ask a local herbalist?
Vanessa
Tuesday 28th of January 2020
Hello, thank you so much for creating this for mommas. I was wondering if when cooking the elderberries in the ínstapot I would just use the same amount of water here and the 9 minutes from the other post...?
Lindsey VanAlstyne
Wednesday 29th of January 2020
I think that would work well. Remember, when you release the steam valve lots of moisture will leave the elderberry juice.
Jessica Rivera
Tuesday 31st of December 2019
What is your day on using this while breastfeeding?
Jessica
Tuesday 31st of December 2019
I meant say not day! ♀️
DEANA
Sunday 27th of October 2019
What would be the adult dosage for this recipe?
Lindsey VanAlstyne
Monday 28th of October 2019
Check out this post: https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2019/02/instant-pot-elderberry-syrup.html Thanks! :)
Amber Zitterkopf
Tuesday 17th of September 2019
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?
Lindsey VanAlstyne
Wednesday 18th of September 2019
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