Papaya
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- medium
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- low
Serve ripe · no skin or seeds · rich in vitamin C
When can babies eat papaya?
You can introduce papaya once your baby is ready for solids, usually around 6 months.
Papaya comes from Central America. Today it grows wherever it is sunny, warm and wet. Ripe fruit is eaten raw like a melon. Young green fruit is cooked like squash.
Ripe papaya is rich in vitamins A and C. They are good for eyesight, immunity and skin. Vitamin C also improves how well the body takes up iron from plant foods. The fruit adds B vitamins, vitamin E and fiber.
How do you prepare papaya for babies?
Pick ripe fruit
Papaya should squash when you press it lightly. Always remove the skin and seeds.
Slippery wedges are easier to hold when rolled in dry baby cereal, hemp seeds, finely ground nuts or shredded coconut. Always grind nuts to a fine powder.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
6 months
6 months · How to prepare as large wedgesstrip
Cut: Thick wedge
Peel ripe papaya, remove the seeds and cut large wedges or crescents. The fruit should squash when pressed lightly between thumb and finger. If a wedge is too slippery for your baby, roll it in hemp seeds, dry baby cereal, grated coconut or a fine powder of ground nuts or seeds. Mashed papaya can also be stirred into yogurt, warm porridge or chia pudding.
9 months
9 months · How to prepare as small piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Cut peeled, seeded ripe papaya into bite-size pieces. They should squash easily. If your baby cannot hold slippery pieces, coat them in coconut, dry baby cereal or finely ground seeds. You can go back to large wedges if needed.
12 months
12 months · How to prepare for fork or fingerscube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Serve ripe, soft papaya in small pieces. Your child can eat them with a fork or fingers, with no extra steps. Using a fork is a skill that builds slowly. Switching between fingers and fork is normal.
Is papaya a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: medium
Ripe papaya is soft. Underripe green papaya is firm and slippery, which raises choking risk. Remove the skin and seeds.
Papaya carries a choking risk. Ripe papaya is soft and mashes easily. Underripe green papaya is firm and slippery, which raises the risk.
Prepare the fruit to suit your baby's age. Stay close while your baby eats and keep them seated upright.
Is papaya a common allergen?
Papaya is rarely an allergen. Papaya can cause a reaction in people with latex allergy. The enzyme papain, found in the plant, bothers some people as well.
Give a small amount on its own the first few times. If there is no reaction, increase the portion slowly.
Latex allergy
If your baby or family has a latex allergy, ask your doctor before offering papaya.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about papaya
Is papaya healthy for babies?
Yes. Ripe papaya is full of vitamins A and C. It also has B vitamins, vitamin E and fiber.
Can babies have green papaya?
Raw green papaya is firm and slippery. Do not give it to a baby unless it is cooked until very soft. At 6 months, choose ripe, soft papaya.
Does papaya help with constipation?
Papaya has fiber, and fiber supports digestion. If constipation continues, ask your pediatrician.
Sources for this page
- Jiang N, Yin J, Wen L. (2016). Papain Induced Occupational Asthma with Kiwi and Fig Allergy. Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Research. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.2.170
- Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
The Lokmini app
Log papaya, reactions and your allergen journey in the app.
Open in LokminiLokmini is coming soon to the App Store.
Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com