🍐

Pear for Babies: When and How to Introduce It

Apple's easygoing cousin. A ripe pear is soft enough to serve raw, gentle on tummies, and quietly helpful if things have gotten a little backed up.

When to introduce: Around 6 months
Common allergen?: No (not a common allergen)
Texture: Soft when ripe
Key nutrients: Fiber, vitamin C

When can babies eat pear?

Pear is one of the easiest first fruits from around 6 months, mostly because a ripe one is already soft (unlike apple, which makes you work for it). Bonus: it is the fruit people reach for when a baby is a little constipated.

How to prepare pear, by age

6 monthsVery ripe raw pear mashed or in soft wedges (peel for the youngest eaters), or cooked and puréed.

9 monthsSoft raw or cooked pieces.

12 months+Thin slices, skin on once your baby handles textures well.

Is pear safe? Choking & prep

Use ripe, soft pears. Firm or underripe pear is harder and more of a choking risk, so cook those until soft. Cut to age-appropriate sizes.

Nutrition

Pear offers gentle fiber (kind to digestion) and vitamin C. It is often suggested when a baby is a bit constipated.

Goes well with

Oatmeal · Apple · Cinnamon · Yogurt

Storage & freezing

Ripen pears at room temperature. Cut pear browns, so a little citrus helps, and the purée freezes well.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies eat pear?

Around 6 months. A ripe pear is soft enough to serve raw, which makes it one of the quickest first fruits.

Can babies eat raw pear?

Yes, if it is very ripe and soft. Firm or underripe pears should be cooked until soft first.

Is pear good for baby constipation?

Pear is gentle and can help keep things moving as babies start solids. Offer water with meals too, and check with your pediatrician if constipation persists.

How do I serve pear for baby-led weaning?

Offer ripe, soft wedges your baby can hold, peeled for the youngest eaters.

Sources

😋 🤢

Track it in Yummy Yucky

Log first tries, get nudged through the 3-day allergen watch, and keep every bite in one place you can share with your pediatrician.

Start tracking for free

How we write these: from widely published pediatric guidance (AAP, NIAID 2017 guidelines, the LEAP study), with sources cited on every page. Pending review by a pediatric professional.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

Some links in our guides are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only suggest things we'd actually use, and it never changes our guidance.