Feijoa
Fruit
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have feijoa?
Feijoa (also called guavasteen, guayaba del pais, and pineapple guava) may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Feijoa thrives in areas with cooler temperatures bookending the warm growing season, like the highlands of South America, its original home. Feijoa traveled to other parts of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Pacific Islands, where the plant remains popular today. In New Zealand, the fruit has become an unofficial national symbol, growing abundantly in commercial farms and home gardens alike.
How do you serve feijoa 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 ripe, mashed feijoa pulp (removed from the skin) on its own in a bowl for baby to scoop or mixed into soft foods like porridge or yogurt. If the feijoa pulp is firm, cook until soft before serving. If you have ripe feijoas larger than baby’s mouth, you can cut the fruit in half or lengthwise into large quarters so that baby can eat the soft pulp from the peel. If baby takes a bite of the edible skin, give baby a moment to either chew and swallow it or spit it out, keeping your fingers out of baby’s mouth. The skin is edible. 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.
9 months old +:
Offer ripe bite-sized pieces of feijoa pulp (removed from the skin) for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp. Rolling the fresh fruit in finely ground nut, almond flour, breadcrumbs, or finely shredded coconut can aid self-feeding by adding grip to the slippery food. Alternatively, keep offering ripe, mashed feijoa pulp or long quartered pieces still in the skin. At this age, babies may be more likely to take bites of the skin. Continue to coach baby how to spit out these pieces.
12 months old +:
At this age, many toddlers are ready to eat ripe, soft feijoa pulp straight from the shell. Try cutting the fruit in half (crosswise or lengthwise) and pre-scooping a bit of the pulp with a spoon (but leaving the pulp in the shell of the fruit) and letting the toddler scrape out the pulp with their fingers or a spoon.
Learn all about the nutrients babies and toddlers need with our Nutrient Cheat Sheet.
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Is feijoa a choking hazard for babies?
No. Ripe feijoa presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve feijoa in an age-appropriate way. 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.
Is feijoa a common allergen?
No. Allergies to feijoa are rare and information on feijoa allergy is limited. Because feijoa is closely related to guava, individuals with allergies to latex may be sensitive. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome who are allergic to birch pollen may be sensitive to both feijoa and guava. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Fortunately, peeling or cooking the fruit can help minimize or even eliminate the reaction.
As you would do when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount served over future meals.
Is feijoa healthy for babies?
Yes. Feijoa is packed with fiber to promote healthy digestion, vitamin B6 to support metabolic function, and folate for cognitive development. Feijoa also offers some vitamin C which helps to support baby’s immune system and aids the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
★Tip: Ripen feijoas at room temperature, then store the ripe fruit in the fridge for one week or in the freezer for a few months. To tell if a feijoa is ripe, feel it: the fruit is ready to eat when it is firm with just a bit of give (not mushy) – like a ripe banana, mango, or pear.
What are some great first foods for babies?
There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.
Does baby need a high chair?
While a high chair can help create a safe eating environment, there are alternative ways for baby to eat safely, such as holding the child on your lap or sitting together on the floor. For more information, see our article on high chairs.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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