Making and Storing Homemade Baby Food
Making your own baby food with a baby food maker can be a great way to ensure that your little one is eating fresh, healthy meals. However, once you’ve made your homemade baby food, you may be wondering how best to store it to make sure it stays fresh and safe for your baby to eat. Here are some tips and tricks for storing homemade baby food made with a baby food maker:
Choose the Right Containers
The first step in storing homemade baby food is to choose the right containers. You want to use containers that are BPA-free and are specifically designed for storing baby food. Look for containers with airtight lids to keep out bacteria and prevent freezer burn. Some popular brands of baby food storage containers include OXO Tot and Beaba.
Label and Date
When you’re storing homemade baby food, it’s important to label and date each container so you know exactly what’s inside and when it was made. This will help you keep track of how long the baby food has been in the fridge or freezer and make sure you use it before it goes bad. Use a permanent marker to write the name of the food and the date it was made on each container.
Refrigerate or Freeze
Homemade baby food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. If you’re planning to use the baby food within a few days, you can store it in the refrigerator. If you’re making a larger batch and want to store it for longer, you can freeze it in individual portions using your baby food maker or storage containers. Just make sure to leave enough room at the top of the container for the food to expand as it freezes.
Thaw and Warm Up Safely
When you’re ready to use your stored baby food, it’s important to thaw and warm it up safely. You can thaw frozen baby food in the refrigerator overnight or use a microwave or hot water bath to thaw it more quickly. Once it’s thawed, warm it up on the stove or in the microwave, making sure to stir it well and test the temperature before feeding it to your baby.
Discard any Unused Portions
Finally, be sure to discard any unused portions of baby food that have been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours or have been in the refrigerator for more than three days. This will help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and ensure that your baby is eating safe, healthy meals.
