Pear for babies: when and how to serve

Q: When can babies eat Pear?

Most babies can start Pear from around 6+ months, as long as they show signs of readiness for solids. Pear can be firm, slippery, and difficult to manage when underripe. Serve cooked until soft or choose a very ripe pear that yields easily to pressure. Remove the core and seeds, and cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces. Avoid hard raw chunks and always supervise closely.

Q: Is Pear a choking hazard?

Pear is rated Moderate choking risk. Pear can be firm, slippery, and difficult to manage when underripe. Serve cooked until soft or choose a very ripe pear that yields easily to pressure. Remove the core and seeds, and cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces. Avoid hard raw chunks and always supervise closely.

Q: Is Pear a common allergen?

Offer a small amount the first time and watch for any reaction. Pear is not a common allergen, but children with birch pollen allergy may be more likely to have oral itching or mouth discomfort with raw pear. If your child has pollen-food syndrome symptoms, cooked pear may be better tolerated.

About Pear

Pear is a juicy, mild-tasting fruit that can work well as an early food for babies when served soft and ripe. Its naturally sweet flavor is often well accepted, and it can be offered cooked, mashed, or as soft finger food depending on your child's age and eating skills. Pears provide fiber to support digestion, vitamin C, and potassium for fluid balance and normal muscle and nerve function. They also have a high water content, which can help add hydration to meals and snacks. While pears are nutritious, they are not a strong source of iron or protein, so they are best paired with other nutrient-rich foods. Pear is not a common allergen, but some children can react, especially those with birch pollen allergy or oral allergy syndrome. Reactions are often mild and may include itching or tingling in the mouth. Cooking pear can reduce symptoms for some children. As with any new food, start with a small amount and watch closely. Most babies can start pear from 6 months old if it is cooked until soft or served very ripe. For younger babies, offer mashed pear, soft slices, or large soft pieces they can hold. As chewing skills improve, progress to small soft pieces, then quartered pear or thin slices. Avoid hard, crunchy, or underripe pear, which can be a choking risk.

How to serve by age

6+ months

Mashed, cooked pear or very soft ripe pear halves or slices

Offer mashed or finely grated very ripe pear, or cook pear until soft and serve as large soft slices or halves with the core, seeds, and stem removed. Peel if needed for a smoother texture.

9+ months

Small soft pieces or thin soft slices

Serve very ripe or cooked pear as small soft pieces or thin soft slices once your baby is developing a pincer grasp. Continue to avoid firm raw pear and remove any tough peel if needed.

12+ months

Quartered pear or bite-sized soft pieces

Offer quartered ripe pear with the core removed or bite-sized soft pieces. If serving raw, make sure the pear is very ripe and easy to mash between your fingers.

18+ months

Thin pear slices or a whole very ripe pear with close supervision

A toddler who takes small bites well may manage thin slices or a whole very ripe pear with the core removed. Continue close supervision, since large bites of firm fruit can still be a choking risk.

Pairs well with

Plain full-fat yogurtOatmealCottage cheeseRicottaCinnamonGingerSweet potatoChickenLentilsCheese on toast fingers

A note on ages

These age ranges are general guidelines. Every baby develops at their own pace, so always follow your child's readiness signs and consult your pediatrician.

Safety & allergens

Choking riskModerate

Pear can be firm, slippery, and difficult to manage when underripe. Serve cooked until soft or choose a very ripe pear that yields easily to pressure. Remove the core and seeds, and cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces. Avoid hard raw chunks and always supervise closely.

What to watch for

Itching or tingling in the mouthBurning sensation in the lips or mouthRash or hivesSwelling of lips, face, or tongueVomiting or diarrheaCoughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing

Safety checklist

Choose a ripe pear or cook until very soft

Remove core, seeds, and any tough stem pieces

Peel for younger babies if the skin is tough

Cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces

Avoid hard, crunchy, or underripe pear

Ensure baby is sitting upright

Never leave baby unattended while eating

Storage & shelf life

ⓘ

Store whole pears at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, refrigerate and use within a few days. Cut pear should be refrigerated in an airtight container and used within 3-5 days.

ⓘ

Freeze peeled slices, cooked pear, or pear puree in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition

Contains fiber to support healthy digestion
Provides vitamin C
Offers potassium for muscle and nerve function
High water content can help add hydration to meals

Not a good source of iron
Low in protein
Can be high in natural sugars compared with vegetables
Less filling on its own than foods with protein or fat

Key nutrients

Fiber

Helps support healthy digestion and regular stools

Vitamin C

Supports immune function and helps with iron absorption

Potassium

Supports muscle, nerve, and fluid balance

Nutrition facts

Calories	57kcal
Protein	0.4g
Carbs	15.2g
Fat	0.1g
Fiber	3.1g
Sugar	9.8g
Iron	0.2mg
Calcium	9.0mg
Potassium	116mg
Vitamin C	4mg
Vitamin A	1.0µg
Folate	7µg
Zinc	0.10mg

per 100 g

In season

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PeakAvailableLimited

Common questions

When can babies eat Pear?

Most babies can start Pear from around 6+ months, as long as they show signs of readiness for solids. Pear can be firm, slippery, and difficult to manage when underripe. Serve cooked until soft or choose a very ripe pear that yields easily to pressure. Remove the core and seeds, and cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces. Avoid hard raw chunks and always supervise closely.

Is Pear a choking hazard?

Pear is rated Moderate choking risk. Pear can be firm, slippery, and difficult to manage when underripe. Serve cooked until soft or choose a very ripe pear that yields easily to pressure. Remove the core and seeds, and cut into age-appropriate slices or soft pieces. Avoid hard raw chunks and always supervise closely.

Is Pear a common allergen?

Offer a small amount the first time and watch for any reaction. Pear is not a common allergen, but children with birch pollen allergy may be more likely to have oral itching or mouth discomfort with raw pear. If your child has pollen-food syndrome symptoms, cooked pear may be better tolerated.