Asian Pear
Fruit
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have Asian pear?
Asian pear may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia and cultivated for centuries by farmers and horticulturalists throughout Asia, the Asian pear is grown for its cultural significance, medicinal benefits, and symbolism of grace, purity, and wisdom. Reverence for the fruit (along with Asian immigration to Australia, North America, and other parts of the world) have resulted in thousands of varieties that, when ripe, range in ombre hues of the sun—some sandy and mottled, others golden and speckled white, even a few that are kissed with fiery bronze.
How do you serve Asian pears to babies?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Offer large wedges or halves of cooked, soft Asian pear with the core and stem removed (removing the skin is optional). Rolling cooked pear in hemp seeds, finely shredded coconut, or finely ground nut can help add grip. Alternatively, mash the cooked fruit and let baby scoop with their hands or stir the mashed pear into scoopable foods like yogurt.
9 months old +:
Continue to offer large halves of cooked, soft Asian pear with the core and stem removed. Alternatively, offer raw Asian pear in thin rounds or half-round slices, about one centimeter thick, with or without the skin. Babies often chew on the skin and spit it out, and while this can seem like waste, building familiarity with skin can help encourage a child to eat fruit with the skin later in life. Skin also helps the fruit stay together as baby munches on it, and the act of chewing and spitting the skin can help develop oral-motor skills. If baby takes a big bite of the raw slice, give baby a moment to either chew and swallow it or spit it out, keeping your fingers out of baby’s mouth. You can help by putting your hand on baby’s back and gently leaning the baby forward to allow gravity to help pull the piece of food towards the front of the mouth for baby to more easily spit out.
18 months old +:
When and if you think the child is ready (they chew food thoroughly and are willing to stay seated for the meal), you can try offering whole, raw Asian pears for biting and chewing practice. Offering whole Asian pears can be safer than quartered pieces. This is because even a big bite from the whole fruit often results in a flat, more manageable piece, but taking a bite from a wedge could result in a small, firm, tapered piece, which would pose more choking risk. If the child is struggling with the skin, simply peel the fruit, or peel it in “stripes” so that some skin is left on for exposure.
24 months old +:
Sometime after the 2nd birthday, most typically developing toddlers will be ready for thicker sections of raw Asian pear, such as quarters or wedges of Asian pears. Large sections of Asian pear can be more risky than the whole fruit, so wait until you observe the child to be ready. The child should be consistently taking accurate-sized bites, moving the food to the side of the mouth, and chewing thoroughly. They should also be able to sit calmly while eating. As always, stay within an arm’s reach during mealtime and refrain from offering thick slices of Asian pear in strollers or car seats.
For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.
Videos
Is Asian pear a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Asian pear is firm and slippery, even when ripe, which are qualities that pose an increased risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve Asian pear in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. 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.
Are Asian pears a common allergen?
No. However, individuals with birch pollen allergy or Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen-food allergy syndrome) may be sensitive to raw pears. Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome generally consist of mild oral itching, and are unlikely to be dangerous.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity on its own for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Are Asian pears healthy for babies?
Yes. Asian pears offer lots of fiber to help diversify the gut microbiome. The fruit also contains plenty of vitamin C (for healthy skin and a robust immune system) and copper to help the body absorb iron from other foods. The skin of Asian pears in particular is rich in antioxidants—beneficial compounds that combat bodily stress and help keep us healthy.
How many meals per day should baby eat?
It’s flexible. Generally speaking, bring baby to the table at least once per day between 6 and 7 months of age, twice per day between 8 and 9 months of age, and 3 times per day starting at around 10 months of age. See our sample feeding schedules for details.
Do I need to start solids with purees?
You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kary Rappaport
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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