Pear for Baby- Health Benefits, Nutritional Value & Recipes

A single pear alone is high in potassium, fibre, vitamin C, folate and copper. The fruit has no sodium, cholesterol or saturated fats, and therefore, is a great 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.

Video : Pear for Babies – Benefits, When and How to Introduce

Is Giving Pear Safe for Infants?

Absolutely! The skin of the pear is easy to digest, and the fruit is 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 Babies

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.

Let’s take a look at the nutrition and the health benefits your child will gain on eating pears.

Nutritional Facts of Pear

Wondering how many calories the humble pear brings? Well, look no further and simply check this table out!

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285430.php

Health Benefits of Pear for Babies

Here are some health benefits of the fruit:

1.Wards off Diseases

The skin of the fruit contains powerful polyphenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Besides containing essential healthy fatty acids, it also provides anti-inflammatory and cancer-protective benefits. A super antioxidant known as ‘Glutathione’ found in the fruit prevents stroke, cancer, and high blood pressure in babies and patients according to studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute.

2. Loaded With Nutrients

The fruit is a good soluble source of fibre. If you’re worried about your baby’s fibre intake, then adding some pears will do the trick. Pears are also loaded with pectin, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants which fight free radical damage and lower oxidative stress, meaning they lower the imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals.

3. Easily Digestible

The skin of the fruit is totally safe and easy to digest. Pears are one of those rare fruits that are not loaded with pesticides and chemicals when being harvested. If your baby suffers from indigestion, diarrhoea, or dysentery, it’s time to add some pears to the diet.

4. Heals Wounds Quicker

Studies conducted on pears reveal that they have a high healing property. They help wounds heal faster. If your little one gets hurt when she first begins walking, pears will come to 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

Including the fruit in the diet is 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 some fruits.

Measures to Be Taken When Feeding Pears to Babies

Whether you are adding pears to salads or planning to make some puree, knowing how to prepare them will save your life (and time).

Here’s what you can do:

• Grab a vegetable peeler and work your way from the top to the 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 tips are sure to help:

• 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, 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 and deseeded).
• 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.

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. Let them cool and then 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. Here’s what you need to make one.

What You Will Need

• Pears
• Milk
• Water
• Oatmeal

How to Make

Simply heat up oatmeal in some water till it softens. Soften the pear too and let it cool a bit. Once it looks ready, peel and mash the pears and put the oatmeal and the pears in a blender, add some water and milk and blend it till you get your preferred smoothie consistency. 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.

Note: First introduce the fruits individually to the baby in order to check for any allergies.

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, although it varies with the variety of pear and the age of the baby.

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 during mealtimes or is allergic to pears. 

Also Read: Watermelon for Infant