How to serve, by age
6–8 mo
Peel, core and steam until soft, then mash or scrape into purée.
9–11 mo
Steamed-soft strips and pieces for your baby to hold.
12 mo+
Very thin slices of raw pear are acceptable; hard raw chunks still are not.
Choking risk: Moderate
Same class as apple: raw pear is hard and brittle and splinters into firm pieces. Steam it soft early on; raw pear only as paper-thin shavings, supervised.
If choking ever happens: act immediately — call emergency services (911 in the US) and seek emergency care. Do not wait.
Allergens
Pear is not among the eight most common food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). Any food can cause a reaction in principle — introduce new foods one at a time, during the day, and watch your baby.
Common questions
- Is pear too 'cooling' for babies?
- Steamed warm pear purée is a standard early form. If you have concerns about your baby's constitution, ask your pediatrician.
Practical tips
- Choose smooth-skinned pears that feel heavy — they ripen more evenly.
- No sugar needed when steaming; ripe pear is sweet already.
Sources
This page is general guidance assembled from the public sources above. It is not medical advice. For questions about your baby — including allergies, prematurity and any health condition — ask your pediatrician. See our medical disclaimer.