Medlar for Babies
Complete guide on how to prepare and serve medlar to your baby, by age.
Find recipes with Medlar in Dalo SolidsLast reviewed: April 2026
Safety Information
How to Serve Medlar to a 6–9 Months Old
How to Cut
For babies aged 6 to 9 months, medlar must be prepared very carefully after a process called 'bletting,' where the hard fruit is stored until it becomes very soft and brown. Once fully bletted, the texture is similar to apple butter. To prepare, squeeze the soft pulp out of the skin and meticulously press it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all of the large, hard seeds, which are a serious choking hazard. The resulting puree should be smooth and completely free of seeds. Never give your baby a whole medlar or unprocessed pulp. Always supervise your baby closely during feeding to monitor for any adverse reactions.
Serving Instructions
Begin by offering a small amount, such as 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml), of the smooth, seedless medlar puree to introduce the new flavor. You can gradually increase the serving to 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml; 0.5-1 oz). Medlar is a source of vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption, so consider pairing it with an iron-rich food like fortified infant cereal, pureed lentils, or mashed chicken. You can serve the puree on its own using a pre-loaded spoon to encourage self-feeding or mix it into plain, whole-milk yogurt for a creamier texture and a boost of probiotics and fat.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 6–9 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
How to Serve Medlar to a 9–18 Months Old
How to Cut
Between 9 and 18 months, as your baby develops their pincer grasp and chewing abilities, medlar pulp can be offered in a slightly thicker texture. Ensure the fruit is fully bletted and soft. The most critical step is to completely remove all the hard, stone-like seeds, as they remain a major choking hazard. You can achieve this by squeezing the pulp from the skin and carefully picking out each seed or pressing the pulp through a strainer. You can offer the thick, seedless pulp as-is for them to practice scooping with their hands or a pre-loaded spoon. Always ensure your child is seated and supervised during all meals.
Serving Instructions
At this stage, you can increase the serving size of the seedless medlar pulp to 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml; 1-2 oz). The thick, jam-like consistency is perfect for encouraging self-feeding. Offer it in a bowl and allow your baby to explore with their hands or a spoon. To create a more balanced snack, swirl the medlar pulp into oatmeal or whole-milk Greek yogurt, which adds protein and fat. You can also spread a thin layer of the pulp on a soft, whole-wheat teething cracker. This helps your baby practice managing different textures and improves their pincer grasp.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 9–12 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
How to Serve Medlar to a 18+ Months Old
How to Cut
For toddlers 18 months and older, the preparation of medlar remains focused on safety. The fruit must be fully bletted (softened past ripeness) until the pulp is like a thick paste. The primary danger lies in the large, hard seeds, which are a significant choking hazard and must be meticulously removed. Squeeze the bletred fruit to extract the pulp and then press it through a sieve or manually pick out every seed. The resulting seed-free pulp can be used as a spread or mix-in. Never serve a whole medlar, even if soft. Always supervise your toddler during meals, ensure they are seated upright, and avoid distractions.
Serving Instructions
For toddlers, offer about 1/4 cup (60 ml; 2 oz) of seed-free medlar pulp. Its unique, sweet-tart flavor makes it an excellent natural spread on whole-grain toast fingers or a flavorful swirl in a bowl of cottage cheese. For a balanced meal, pair it with protein and healthy fats; for example, use it as a dip for slices of mild cheese or mix it into a batter for homemade muffins. This encourages exploration of complex flavors. Always encourage self-feeding with utensils but ensure supervision, as the sticky texture can be challenging. Ensure your toddler is always seated while eating.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 18–24 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
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When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Every child is different, and your pediatrician knows your baby best. If your baby has known allergies, was born prematurely, or has any feeding difficulties, consult your doctor before introducing new foods. If you ever observe signs of an allergic reaction — such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency medical care immediately.
Important Safety Disclaimer
Every child develops chewing and swallowing skills at their own pace. The preparation methods shown are general guidelines; you must always evaluate your individual child's ability before serving. By offering this food, you agree to the following:
- Choking & Preparation: All foods can pose a choking hazard. You are strictly responsible for modifying food sizes and textures to match your child's skills. Always physically inspect this food for hidden hazards (e.g., bones, pits, seeds, splinters, or tough skins) before serving.
- Food Handling: Ensure all ingredients are properly washed, stored, and cooked to safe internal temperatures to prevent foodborne illness. Never serve raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs to an infant.
- Allergens: Introduce any new food one at a time. Observe your child closely for signs of an allergic reaction (hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing) and seek emergency medical care immediately if symptoms occur.
- Strict Supervision: 100% active, arm's-length adult supervision is required at all times while your child is eating or interacting with food.
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Age and preparation guidance informed by the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the World Health Organization's complementary feeding guidelines, ESPGHAN's (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) position paper on complementary feeding, and EFSA's (European Food Safety Authority) scientific opinion on the introduction of complementary feeding. This content is independently created by Dalo Baby for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with any of these organizations.
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