When can baby eat pears?
Babies can start eating ripe, soft pears around 6 months when beginning solids.
Always ensure pears are fully ripe and soft to the touch before offering.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
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How to cut pear for a 6 month old
Offer long wedges of ripe, soft pear about finger-thick and palm-length. The skin can be left on or peeled. Pears should be soft enough to dent with a fingertip. Cooked soft pear strips are also suitable.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
Safety Tips
- ✓Always use fully ripe, soft pears to minimize choking risk.
- ✓Check pear softness by pressing gently with your fingertip before serving.
- ✓Avoid unripe, firm pears as they can be hard to chew and pose a choking hazard.
- ✓Supervise your baby closely while eating and never leave them unattended.
Pear recipe ideas for babies
Explore simple, tasty ways to include pears in your baby's meals. See our baby recipes.
- ★Soft pear and oatmeal mash
- ★Pear and banana finger food mix
- ★Baked pear strips with cinnamon
- ★Pear and avocado puree
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat pear?
Most babies can eat pear from around 6 months when starting solids. Always serve it in a safe size and texture appropriate for your baby's age and development.
How do you cut pear for baby led weaning?
For babies around 6 months, pear should be cut into large pieces that are easy to grasp with their hands. As babies develop their chewing skills, the pieces can gradually become smaller.
How to serve pear baby led weaning?
For BLW, cut pear into strips or wedges that babies can hold. The texture should be soft enough to mash easily with gentle pressure.
Can babies choke on pear?
pear can become a choking hazard if served in small round or hard pieces. Cutting it into larger soft pieces appropriate for baby-led weaning helps reduce choking risk.
How should pear be served to a 6 month old?
At around 6 months, pear should be served in large soft pieces that babies can hold with their hands. See our full ingredient guide.
Is pear safe for baby led weaning?
pear can be included in baby-led weaning when cut into safe shapes and soft textures that babies can hold and gum.
How small should pear be cut for older babies?
From around 9 months, babies typically use a pincer grasp, so pear can be cut into smaller pea-sized pieces. Continue ensuring pieces are soft enough to mash and watch for any choking risk shapes.
Should pear be cooked or raw for babies?
Cook pear until easily mashable when raw textures are too firm for babies to gum. Soft ripe fruits are often offered raw, while firmer foods are typically steamed, roasted, or boiled until tender.
Can pear be served as a finger food at 6 months?
Yes, pear can be a 6-month finger food when cut into long graspable strips and softened to a mashable texture. Always supervise meals and adjust shape as your baby's chewing skills develop.
How to cut pear for a 7 month old?
At 7 months babies still use a palmar (whole-hand) grasp. Cut pear into long strips about 2-3 inches long and finger-width thick, with part sticking out of the fist for chewing. Soft enough to mash between two fingers.
How to cut pear for an 8 month old?
At 8 months babies are refining grasp and may begin pincering. Continue offering pear in 2-inch strips alongside a few small pea-sized pieces to practice the pincer grasp. Cooked until easily mashable.
How to cut pear for a 9 month old?
At 9 months most babies have developed the pincer grasp. Cut pear into pea-sized pieces (about ½ inch / 1.5 cm) for self-feeding practice. Continue avoiding round, hard, or sticky shapes; soft enough to mash with mild pressure.
How to cut pear for a 10 month old?
At 10 months babies eat a wider variety of textures. Offer pear in pea-sized pieces or small bite-sized cubes (½ inch / 1.5 cm). They can manage slightly firmer textures, but pieces should still mash easily.
How to cut pear for a 12 month old?
From 12 months babies eat in pieces about ½ inch (1.5 cm). Round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) must still be quartered until age 4 due to choking risk. Soft enough to chew without much molar work.
Can babies eat pear for breakfast?
Yes — pear can be part of a balanced baby breakfast when prepared in baby-safe shapes. Pair with a protein, healthy fat, or whole grain (eggs, yogurt, oats, nut butter on toast) for a complete morning meal.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
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