Pears are a good food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

Cooked in Half or Thick Slices (6+ months): These forms will be easier for your baby to pick up at this age. If they are ripe enough, you may not even need to cook them as long as they are soft. Make sure to remove the core before serving halves so your baby does not eat the seeds. You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding by placing some spoonfuls directly on your baby's tray or bowl to let them explore on their own, or you can hand them a pre-loaded self-feeding spoon.

Cooked in Chunks or Grated (9+ months): As your baby develops a pincer grasp, chunks or grated pear will help give him good practice in using it. You can also continue to offer thin slices of soft, ripe pear, or very ripe halves.

Uncooked in Thin Slices, Bite-Sized Pieces or Whole Fruit with the Skin on (12+ months): If you haven’t already, offer these with the skin on for more antioxidants and to give your toddler practice with chewing the texture of the peel.

Pears for Self-Feeding

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3-4 servings
Age: 6+ months 

Ingredients

• 2 pears, cut in half or thick slices with seeds removed
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2" of water to a boil over high heat. Add a steamer basket and add the pears, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon (if using) on the pears and toss, then cut in an age-appropriate way.  

Notes

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 4 portions for baby

Storage: you can store this recipe in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. 

Spices/Herbs: Adding spices to your baby’s foods is a great way to introduce more complex flavors at an early age. Some great spices and herbs to add to cooked pears are a pinch of allspice, anise, cardamom, cloves, ginger, mint, nutmeg, rosemary and even thyme.

Puree for Self-Feeding: Yes, it can be done! You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding.

• Place a few spoonfuls of purees directly on the tray or in a bowl for your baby to dip fingers into. Model how to dip your fingers into the puree and bring them to your mouth, to taste some.
• Offer your baby a pre-loaded self-feeding utensil and hold it out for them to grasp or set on their tray. 
• Use a solid food as a dipper. You can also offer a soft stick-shaped piece of food, such as a soft roasted carrot or bread lightly toasted and cut into strips to dip into the puree.

Nutritional Information

• A good source of fiber to help keep the digestive system regular
• A great source of vitamin C to help support your baby’s immune system
• A good source of vitamin K to help strengthen bones and help with blood clotting
• Contain vitamin A for healthy eyes