Making baby food from pears is quick and easy!

How to Prepare Pear for Baby

Age for Introducing Pears to Baby: (as early 4 months) or 6-8 months 4668

Pears are high in fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. High in fiber, Pears like other fruits, are great aids in reducing the risks of cancer and heart attack and sustaining healthy cholesterol levels. They are also a great fruit to offer as a remedy to help alleviate baby’s constipation.

Pears are gentle on the tummy and thus are wonderful for babies who may be suffering from Reflux. Pears contain no sodium, saturated fats or cholesterol. They contain two types of sugars, glucose and fructose. A pear is very nutrient-dense meaning that there are more nutrients per calorie than calories per nutrient. There is no need to peel a pear unless feeding one to a small infant. A pear’s skin is easily digestible.

Nutritional Content of Pears: (one medium)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A – 38 IUVitamin C – 7 mgVitamin B1 (thiamine) – .2 mg

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – .25 mg

Niacin – .26 mg

Folate – 12 mcg

Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

MINERALS:Potassium – 198 mgPhosphorus – 82.4 mgMagnesium – 12 mg

Calcium – 15 mg

Sodium – 0 mg

Iron – .26 mg

Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.

 

When can I introduce pears and pear baby food to my baby?

Pears make a good choice for one of Baby’s first fruits from (4) 6 months of age. As always, we recommend that you consult with your baby’s pediatrician on introducing solid foods as generalities may not apply to your infant.

How to select and store pears for baby food

purchaseorganic According to the EWG, pears are not one of the “dirty dozen” foods that are most highly contaminated with pesticides – purchasing organic is a personal, but smart choice.

Pears do not ripen upon “the vine”. Pears are harvested from pear trees once they have reached maturity but prior to ripening. Bartlett pears are the only type of pear that actually changes color as it ripens. To ripen pears, leave them out on your counter or put them in a brown paper bag.

Store pears in the refrigerator in the coldest spot. As pears ripen from the inside outwards, a ripe pear will gently yield to the touch when pushed. A soft pear is likely indicative of over ripeness and may be close to rotting.

The best way to cook pears for baby food recipes – do pears really have to be cooked for baby food?

Pears do not need to be cooked as when they are ripe, they are very soft and easily made into a smooth puree.

Steaming fruits is typically recommended for babies under 8 months old to help breakdown sugars and fibers in fruits. However, as pears are gentle on the digestive system and very watery to begin with, use your own discretion based on your baby’s digestive system. If you will be offering pears as a baby food to an infant who starts solid foods prior to the age of 6 months old, please give pears a gentle steaming.

Perfect Pear Baby Food Recipes

Perfectly Pear Mash

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe pear

Directions:

Step 1: Peel and de-seed a fully ripened pear

Step 2: Mash or puree as needed for your baby’s preference

Step 3: Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.

You may wish to steam pear chunks for a bit to soften them and enable easier digestion for a younger baby who starts solids at 4 months of age.


Breakfast Pear Parfait (8 months+)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup plain oat cereal (cooked)
  • 1/2 cup pears – mashed or pureed
  • 1/2 cup yogurt

Directions:

Step 1: Mix oatmeal and yogurt together

Step 2: Top mixture with 1/2 cup pear puree and stir

Optional: dash vanilla, pinch of ginger or cinnamon.

You can layer this for those babies who are beginning to use utensils or simply blend it all together


Pear Baby Food Recipe for Yummy Baked Pears

Ingredients:

  • 3 Pears
  • dash of cinnamon or vanilla or ginger

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350F degrees

Step 2: Halve and core pears

Step 3: Place pears in a shallow baking dish with about 1 inch of water

Step 4: Add spices if desired.

Step 5: Bake approximately 25 minutes or until tender.

Step 6: Mash and serve mixed with Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Yogurt or even Chicken.


Baked Pears with Oatmeal & Dates (8 months+)

Ingredients:

  • 3 Pears
  • 1 cup cooked oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dates
  • drizzle of maple syrup (optional)
  • dash of cinnamon or vanilla or ginger

Directions:

Step 1: Halve and core pears

Step 2: Combine oatmeal, dates & spices in 1 cups of water and bring to boil, simmer until soupy.

Step 3: Once soupy, pour over pears.

Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees F. 45 minutes or until tender; drizzle with syrup if desired


Foods Good to Mix with Pears to Make Your Own Pear Baby Food Recipes:

  • Apples
  • Avocado
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Mango
  • Peaches
  • Sweet Potato
  • Chicken
  • Yogurt

stop3 Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.


ORAL ALLERGY SYNDROME

The food on this page may be one involving OAS. OAS occurs when a person sensitive/allergic to pollen develops a reaction to fruits/veggies that have a similar type of pollen. Itching & swelling of the lips, the mouth and/or throat are typical symptoms. These symptoms normally appear within minutes of eating the offending food and may be worse during the spring and fall pollen seasons. Rarely is an OAS life threatening. Click below to learn more.

Birch Pollen Allergies

Birch pollen allergies are associated with apple, carrot, cherry, pear, peach, plum, fennel, walnut, potato, spinach, buckwheat, peanut, honey, celery, and kiwifruit.

Cedar Allergies

Japanese cedar allergies are associated with melon, apple, peach and kiwifruit.

Mugwort Allergies

Mugwort allergies are associated with celery, carrot, spices, melon, watermelon, apple, hazelnut, and chestnut.

Grass Pollen

Grass pollen allergies are associated with melon, tomato, watermelon, orange, rice and cherry.

Ragweed Pollen

Ragweed allergies are associated with melon, chamomile, honey, banana, and sunflower seeds.

Latex

Latex allergies may be cross-reactive to banana, avocado, kiwi and papaya.