Properly storing the meals you make for your baby and preparing them appropriately for re-consuming will both preserve the nutrition of the food and prevent bacterial contamination.
How long can my baby’s foods stay at room temperature?
Freshly cooked baby food can stay at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours, keeping them waiting longer may cause bacterial growth. Therefore, after cooking your baby’s food, put it in the refrigerator within 2 hours and be sure to keep the setting of your refrigerator at 4 ° C or below.
How long can I store my baby’s foods?
Homemade baby foods will keep for 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator and for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. Don’t forget to note the date on the food you put in the freezer.
In which containers can I store my baby’s foods?
You can store your baby’s food in glass containers in the refrigerator, and in special refrigerator bags or freezable plastic containers in the freezer. Don’t use glass containers in the freezer because frozen glass can burst or cause tiny fractures in the glass leaving behind microscopic shards that you may never see. Additionally, if the baby cannot finish the food all on the plate, the leftovers should not be transferred to storage containers but should be thrown away. Because saliva from baby’s mouth can pass into the food through the spoon and cause bacterial growth.
How should I thaw my baby’s frozen foods?
Don’t thaw baby’s foods on the counter at room temperature, you can thaw them in the refrigerator or on the stovetop. Additionally, thawed foods should not be refrozen and should only be heated once.
Resources:
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Refrigeration & Food Safety. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration
- USDA Foodsafety.gov. People at Risk: Children Under Five. https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/children-under-five
- U.S. Food and Drug Association. Once Baby Arrives from Food Safety for Moms to Be. https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/once-baby-arrives-food-safety-moms-be
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freezing and Food Safety. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
