Can Babies Eat Guava?
Yes. Ripe guava is a lovely soft fruit from around 6 months, and it is a vitamin C superstar, with far more than an orange. The one thing to manage is the seeds, which are hard, so scoop the soft flesh or strain the puree for young babies.
Guava does not get nearly enough attention. It is fragrant, sweet and soft when ripe, and nutritionally it is a bit of a champion, especially for vitamin C. For babies it is an easy, gentle fruit, once you deal with the hard little seeds tucked in the middle. Scoop or strain, and you are away.
What is a guava?
Guava is a round tropical fruit with green or yellow skin and soft pink or white flesh inside. The centre is dotted with small, hard seeds. It has a sweet, slightly musky flavour and is eaten fresh, in juices and in jams across warm parts of the world.
Guava's sweet, tropical flavour pairs well with other soft fruits. Blend the strained flesh with mango or mashed banana for a smooth, sunny puree.
Guava nutrition for babies
Guava is famous for its vitamin C, and it also brings fibre, folate and vitamin A.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 68 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 14 g |
| Fibre | 5.4 g |
| Vitamin C | 228 mg |
| Folate | 49 mcg |
Typical values for guava. It is exceptionally high in vitamin C. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat guava?
Guava can start from around 6 months, always ripe and soft, with the seeds managed:
Blend the soft flesh and push it through a sieve to remove the hard seeds, then serve it smooth.
Scoop the softest flesh, away from the seedy core, into small mashed pieces as finger food.
Offer soft, ripe guava slices, still avoiding the hardest seeds until your child chews confidently. Ripe pineapple can join in around now too.
Tip: pair guava with an iron-rich food. Its huge vitamin C content helps the body absorb iron from things like lentils, so a little guava afterwards is a smart move.
Health benefits of guava for babies
Vitamin C
Guava is one of the richest vitamin C foods, supporting the immune system and iron absorption.
Fibre
It is high in fibre, which supports healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
Folate
Guava provides folate, which the body uses to make new cells during a period of fast growth.
Because it is so rich in vitamin C, guava is a great finish to an iron-rich meal. Serve a little strained guava after some lentils or soft spinach.
How to serve guava safely
Do
- Use ripe, soft guava.
- Strain or remove the hard seeds.
- Serve it smooth for young babies.
- Pair it with iron-rich foods.
Avoid
- The hard seeds for young babies.
- Firm, under-ripe guava.
- Sweetened guava juice or nectar.
- Large unstrained pieces early on.
Risks and safety
Guava allergy is uncommon, so the main thing to manage is the seeds, which are hard and a choking risk. Strain them out for young babies, and use ripe, soft fruit. Beyond that, it is a gentle and genuinely nutritious fruit, much like dragon fruit.
Variety: the World Health Organization recommends a range of safe, nutritious foods from 6 months, so enjoy guava as one of several fruits your baby tries.
Easy guava recipe (6 months)
Smooth guava puree for baby
Makes 2 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 1 ripe guava
- A little water or breast milk to loosen
Method
- Cut the guava in half and scoop out the soft flesh, keeping it away from the hardest seeds.
- Blend the flesh until smooth, then push it through a sieve to remove any remaining seeds.
- Loosen with a little water or milk if needed, then serve.
Guava FAQ
When can babies eat guava?
Babies can have guava from around 6 months, as long as it is ripe and soft. The seeds are hard, so scoop the soft flesh, or strain the puree to remove them for young babies.
Are guava seeds safe for babies?
Guava seeds are small but hard, and they can be a choking risk for young babies. Strain them out of a puree, or scoop the soft flesh away from the seedy centre until your baby is chewing well.
Is guava good for babies?
Very. Guava is one of the highest vitamin C fruits there is, far more than an orange, and it also brings fibre and folate. That vitamin C helps babies absorb iron from other foods.
How do you serve guava to a baby?
Use a soft, ripe guava. Scoop or blend the flesh, straining out the hard seeds, and serve it as a smooth puree, or mix it into yogurt or porridge.
Sources
- Guava, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Infant and young child feeding, World Health Organization.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
