Pawpaw

Do not offer pawpaw skin or seeds, which are toxic. Also, consuming cooked pawpaw fruit, unripe pawpaw fruit, or excessive amounts of ripe pawpaw fruit may lead to stomach upset. When sharing pawpaw, make sure it is ripe, with seeds and skin removed, and serve it in moderation.

Ripe pawpaw (skin and seeds removed) may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. When introducing pawpaw, offer a small amount of fruit that is ripe and fresh (not cooked) at first. Some studies suggest pawpaw fruit may lead to stomach upset, particularly when it is cooked, dried, or consumed in large amounts.

Pawpaw grow on leafy trees that are native to North America, where Indigenous peoples and First Peoples of the Americas have been consuming the fruit for generations. Its tropical flavor is no coincidence: pawpaw is related to fruits known as cherimoya, custard apple, and sweetsop that grow across the tropics worldwide. Pawpaw likely made its way to North America tens of thousands of years ago as mammoths, mastodons, and other now-extinct megafauna gobbled up the fruit and spread the seeds to new regions.

Yes, in moderation, when ripe, and with the skin and seeds removed. There have been reports that consuming unripe pawpaw fruit or large amounts of ripe pawpaw fruit may cause illness. To minimize the risk of illness, offer fresh, ripe pawpaw fruit and do not offer unripe pawpaw fruit, dried pawpaw fruit, or cooked pawpaw fruit to baby.

Pawpaw is an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron. Together, these nutrients work to provide quick energy, support digestive health, boost iron absorption, and support electrolyte balance and healthy red blood cells.

★ Tip: Pawpaw is ripe when its skin is dark brown or black (like an overripe banana) and the fruit feels very soft when gently pressed.

No. Pawpaw is not a common food allergen, although adverse reactions to ingestion have been documented, mainly consisting of gastrointestinal distress and rashes. These symptoms may be worse when pawpaw is cooked, dried, or consumed in large amounts. Allergic contact rashes to pawpaw skin have also been reported, and care should be taken to wash hands after handling the fruit, skin, or seeds. Pawpaw contains a neurotoxin called annonacin, and regularly eating large quantities of pawpaw over time may lead to side effects on the nervous system; however, research is limited, and consuming pawpaw in moderation as part of a varied diet is not a cause for concern. As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small amount for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

No, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. Ripe pawpaw (skin and seeds removed) presents a low risk because it is soft and gives under gentle pressure. To minimize the risk, make sure the pawpaw is ripe and remove the seeds and skin before serving. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.