No. 41 · Fruit Passport food
When can babies have pears?
Can babies have pears?
Babies can have pears from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Firm raw pear is a choking hazard, so serve very ripe soft pear or cook it until tender. Start with smooth mashed or finely grated pear on a spoon, then offer large soft wedges to hold from 7–8 months.
How to serve pears by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Peel and core a pear, then steam, bake or poach it until very soft and blend or mash it smooth. A very ripe, juicy pear can also be mashed raw or grated very finely and stirred into oatmeal or yogurt. Offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Mash cooked or very ripe pear more roughly so it has soft lumps. You can also offer large quarters of peeled pear, steamed or baked until they squash easily between your thumb and finger, or a large wedge of very ripe, juicy pear with the skin and core removed, for your baby to hold in a fist.
9–12 months
Cut very ripe or cooked pear into small soft pieces about the size of a chickpea for pincer practice. Firm raw pear should still be finely grated or cooked, not cut into chunks.
12 months +
Serve very ripe pear in thin slices or bite-size soft pieces, or cook it into oatmeal, pancakes and baked dishes. Firm raw pear chunks stay a choking hazard until about age 4, so slice them paper thin or grate them.
Why it’s good
Pears give babies fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and copper. Pears also contain sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that draws water into the gut, so pears can help keep poops soft.
Safety notes
- Firm, underripe raw pear is a high choking hazard. Use pear that is very ripe and soft, or cook it until tender.
- Remove the core, seeds and stem. Peel the skin for young babies, since raw skin can be tough and slippery.
- Asian pears stay crisp even when ripe, so always cook or finely grate them for babies and toddlers.
- Avoid pear juice, including 100 percent juice, before 12 months unless your pediatrician suggests a small amount for constipation.
- Canned pears are often packed in syrup. Choose pears packed in water or their own juice, and drain them before serving.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Pear is not a common allergen, and pear allergy is rare. Some people with birch pollen allergy get an itchy mouth from raw pear (oral allergy syndrome), which cooking usually prevents; watch for hives, swelling or vomiting the first few times.
Pears for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about pears for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have pears?
Babies can have pears from about 6 months, once they are ready for solids. Pears must be very ripe and soft or cooked until tender, because firm raw pear is a choking hazard.
Can babies have pears?
Yes, babies can eat pears from around 6 months when they are prepared safely. Start with pear cooked and mashed smooth or finely grated on a spoon, then offer large soft cooked or very ripe raw wedges from about 7–8 months.
Are pears a choking hazard for babies?
Yes, pears are a high choking hazard for babies when they are firm and raw. Cooking pear until soft, choosing very ripe pear, or grating it finely lowers the risk.
Are pears a common allergen?
No, pears are not one of the Top 9 common allergens. A few children with birch pollen allergy get an itchy mouth from raw pear, which cooking usually prevents.
How do I serve pears to a 6 month old?
To serve pears to a 6 month old, peel and core the pear, steam or bake it until very soft, and blend or mash it smooth. Very ripe pear can also be mashed raw or grated finely into oatmeal or yogurt. Offer it on a spoon. Large soft wedges to hold can follow at 7–8 months.
Does pear need to be cooked for babies?
Pear needs to be cooked for babies unless it is very ripe and soft enough to squash between your fingers. Firm pears and crisp Asian pears should always be cooked or finely grated.
Do pears help with baby constipation?
Pears can help with baby constipation because they contain fiber and sorbitol, which help soften stools. Offer pear as part of meals, and talk to your pediatrician if constipation lasts more than a few days or your baby seems uncomfortable.
Can babies drink pear juice?
Babies under 12 months should not drink pear juice, unless a pediatrician recommends a small amount for constipation. After age 1, keep 100 percent juice to a small amount and offer whole pear instead.
How do I know if a pear is ripe enough for my baby?
A pear is ripe enough for a baby when the flesh near the stem gives to gentle pressure and the fruit smells sweet. Most pears ripen on the counter after picking, so leave firm pears out for a few days.
Should I peel pears for my baby?
Peeling pears is best for babies under about 12 months, because the skin can be tough and slippery. Toddlers can eat pear skin on thin slices of very ripe pear.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pears from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids.
- Peel and core a pear, then steam, bake or poach it until very soft and blend or mash it smooth.
- Choking risk is high. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.