Usually introduced around 6 months
The flesh is soft and low risk once ripe, but the seeds are large, hard, and slippery. Remove every seed before serving, and serve only soft, ripe flesh. The skin is not eaten.
Choose a ripe pawpaw that gives to gentle pressure, cut it open, and remove all of the large hard seeds. The custard-soft flesh can be scooped out and mashed smooth or served as a soft spoonful. Pawpaw is naturally creamy, so it mashes easily with no cooking.
All large seeds removed; soft flesh mashed smooth or served as a soft spoonful.
Offer the seed-free flesh as a soft mash or in small scoopable pieces as the pincer grasp develops. Make sure each piece stays soft enough to squish. Mixing it into yogurt or oatmeal works well too.
Seed-free soft mash or small soft scoopable pieces (about ½ inch).
Serve the seed-free flesh in bite-size soft pieces or as a spoonful of mash. Keep the pieces small and double-check there are no stray seeds. It pairs nicely with other soft fruit.
Seed-free bite-size soft pieces (about ½ inch) or a spoonful of mash.
Most babies can try Pawpaw from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
Pawpaw is considered a lower choking-risk food when served in age-appropriate sizes and textures. Follow the cut sizes above and always stay close during meals.
Pawpaw is not one of the major food allergens. Any new food can still cause a reaction, so keep an eye on your baby the first few times.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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