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A single pear alone is high in potassium, fibre and vitamin C. Containing no sodium, cholesterol or saturated fats, pears are a fruitful addition to your baby’s diet as it is easy on the stomach and has more nutrients per calorie (thus being nutrient-dense). What does a pear offer? Keep reading to find out.
Is Giving Pear Safe For Infants?
Absolutely! The skin of the pear is easy to digest, and pears are a popular natural remedy for constipation in young ones. They lower the risk of cancer, heart attacks, and are loaded with vital nutrients and antioxidants needed by your little ones.
When to Introduce Pear To Baby?
The ideal time to introduce pear to babies is between four to six months of age. If your baby experiences an allergic reaction to the fruit, then you may want to wait till she turns eight months old before letting them continue eating it.
Nutritional Facts of Pear
Wondering how many calories the humble pear brings or what nutrients it offers? Well, look no further and simply check out this table below.
| Nutrient | One Medium Pear |
| Fat | 0 Gms |
| Calories | 101 |
| Protein | 1 gms |
| Vitamin C | 12% of the daily requirement |
| Vitamin K | 10% of the daily requirement |
| Potassium | 6% of the daily requirement |
| Carbohydrates | 27 gms |
| Sugar | 17 gms |
Health Benefits of Pear For Babies
Pears are good for your little one but is that all? Let’s talk about their health benefits for babies-
1.Wards Off Diseases
The skin of pears contains powerful polyphenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Besides containing essential healthy fatty acids, pears provide anti-inflammatory and cancer-protective benefits. A super antioxidant found in Pears known as ‘Glutathione’ prevents stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure in babies and patients according to studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute.
2. Loaded With Nutrients
Pears are good soluble sources of fibre. If you’re worried about your baby’s fibre intake, then adding some pears will cover their bases. Pears are loaded with ‘pectin,’ vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants which fight free radical damage and lower oxidative stress.
3. Easily Digestible
Pear skins are totally safe and easy to digest for the stomach. Pears are one of those “rarer” fruits that are not loaded with pesticides and chemicals when being harvested. If your baby suffers from indigestion, diarrhoea, or dysentery, then it’s time to add some pears.
4. Heals Wounds Quicker
Studies conducted on pears reveal that pears have a high healing property. Wounds heal faster, and if your little one gets hurt when they first begin walking, then pears will come to their rescue.
5. Improves Immunity Levels
Pears are known to boost immunity in babies and fight off infections. The biochemicals in pears such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid are responsible for stimulating the immune system and keep babies protected.
6. They Are the Least Acidic
Pears are a gentle way to wean your little one off breastmilk and relieve symptoms of infant reflux and GERD. Pears guard against asthma and have very low acidity profiles compared to other fruits.
Measures to Be Taken When Giving Pear to Babies
Whether you are adding pear to salads or planning to make some puree, knowing how to prepare those pears will save your life (and time).
Here’s what you can do-
- Grab a vegetable peeler and work your way from the top to bottom, peeling vertically.
- Use an apple corer to make a hole right in the middle.
- Make sure to use a knife to cut off any remnant stems at the base and top of the pear.
How to Choose and Store Pears for Baby Food?
If you’re wondering how to choose and store pears, then take notes –
- Wash the pears well
- Peel them using a vegetable peeler
- You could use a device called an apple corer to core them
- Set them aside and refrigerate for a maximum of 3 days
- You can also use ziplock bags to keep them fresh
How to Cook Pears for Infants?
If you’re using pears for baby weaning, then here’s how you can cook or incorporate them in recipes –
- Use them in salads with green beans, carrots, and other vegetables
- Mash them into a puree
- Make a delicious oatmeal-pear smoothie using a blender
- Serve diced pears steamed
- Serve them raw (peeled)
- Make mini-pear sandwiches for a quick snack
Delicious Pear Recipes For Your Child
Just steaming or eating pears raw doesn’t cut it. Variety is the essence of a good diet and here are three killer pear baby food combinations that will leave your little ones craving for more
1. Pear Puree
This delicious pear puree will make your baby fall in love with the fruit. Here’s the recipe below.
What You Will Need
- Ripe Pears
- Milk
- Water
How To Make
Use a peeler to remove the skin of the pears and core using an apple corer. Divide into quarters and cut the quarters into smaller pieces. Add four tablespoons of water on a saucepan and cook gently. Make sure to cover for 10 to 12 minutes and keep stirring until soft. Cool the pears, once soft, blend using a blender. You may add milk for taste or use water for the puree. Serve at room temperature.
2. Pear-Oatmeal Smoothie
A delicious smoothie is sometimes what your little one needs to hit the spot. Here’s what you have to do.
What You Will Need
- Pears
- Milk
- Water
- Oatmeal
How To Make
Simply heat up oatmeal and let it cool a bit. Once it looks ready, peel and mash the pears and put the oatmeal plus the pears in a blender. Add some water and milk and let it blend smooth. You’re done!
3. Mashed Pears
This one is a simple recipe that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Check it out below.
What You Will Need
- Pureed Pear
- Bananas
- Avocados
How To Prepare
You already know how to make pear puree, but now it’s time to take it a step ahead. Instead of serving the puree straight away, just get some avocados and sliced bananas. Mix the pears, bananas and avocado pieces well and put the mix in a blender. Blend till smooth and serve fresh. Alternatively, fresh homemade pear juice for babies and mixed juices including diced pears work just as well.
FAQ’s
Now that you’re well acquainted with pears, there are a couple of questions that may have instantaneously popped into your head. Are there allergies? Is the skin good for my baby? Well, we’ve got you covered.
1. Can Babies Be Allergic to Pears?
Yes. Pear allergy in babies is possible if a baby happens to be below the age of six months, although the chances of that are very rare.
2. Should I Peel Pears for My Baby?
You don’t necessarily need to. The pear skins are actually good for your little one and come packed with a healthy dose of fibre and beneficial nutrients. You can use pear puree for baby constipation.
3. Can We Freeze Pear Baby Food?
Yes! The best way to go about this is to cut the pear into little pieces without the stem and the seeds. Once this is done, put them in the freezer in a tray for about 4 hours until its frozen stiff. After this, put them in an air-tight container and continue to refrigerate. Please avoid using sugar as it can lead to early dental issues for the baby.
Pears are an awesome way to make sure your little one gets his daily dose of nutrition and a quick fix for acid reflux symptoms. If your baby feels constipated or has trouble being weaned off, you can incorporate pears into their diet to make the transition gradual and hassle-free. Consult a doctor or paediatrician in case you find your little one being fussy or allergic to pears during mealtimes.
