Is It A Good Idea To Store Baby Food?
Virtually every mother wonders if storing baby food is a good idea . Although baby food should preferably be fresh, there are several ways to store baby food that has already been cooked so that it does not lose its nutritional properties.
You can store baby formula for up to three months and should always take the correct precautions to keep your baby healthy.
To ensure the well-being of your children, it is important to prevent the spread of bacteria. Do not feed your baby directly from the container where the food is kept. Bacteria in your child’s saliva will stay there and then multiply easily.
By storing food this way, you will be contributing to harmful bacteria the next time you eat it.
Is it a good idea to store baby food?
Storing baby food that has already been cooked will save you time and money at the same time. There are several methods you can use for storage.
Portion the baby food according to your baby’s needs
It is important to separate the servings your child will eat. Use a spoon to take the portion you need for the moment and store the rest in clean, well-sealed containers.
Taking this precaution will avoid contaminating the food while making sure that the food is still good next time.
However, if you’ve spoon-fed your baby from the container and you have leftovers, it’s best to throw that away. This way, you will again avoid the spread of bacteria that can make children sick if you give them this food later.
A cool place is best for storing unopened baby food
If the jar or bag hasn’t been opened, you can store it in a cool place at room temperature. High temperature storage locations can encourage bacterial growth and thus spoil food.
If any of these containers become damp, it is best to throw them away right away as they can make the baby sick.
As you keep buying new groceries, we recommend placing them in the back of the pantry. At the same time, move the older foods to the front for earlier consumption so that they do not deteriorate.
Store baby food in the refrigerator: two or three days
If containers of puree, soup, or other food have been opened, you can store them in the refrigerator for two or three days. However, you should only do this if the lid is tightly closed and the food has not been contaminated.
For this reason, it is always recommended that the portion that the baby is eating is placed in a separate container and that the rest be saved.
If you are making porridge, soups, or other baby foods, don’t leave the dishes at room temperature for more than two hours. Because bacteria spread very quickly.
If you are preparing the food at home, you should thoroughly wash the storage containers with dish soap and hot water. It is also important to let the food cool before freezing it.
Ice cube trays are ideal for portioning and freezing baby food: cover them with cling film to ensure the best possible protection. After freezing, keep the individual ice cubes in larger containers to have portions for different days.
Store baby food frozen: no longer than three months
Frozen food should not be stored for longer than three months. Therefore, label the jars and containers. This will help you remember the freeze date as well as the contents.
Recently chopped fruit should be frozen immediately. However, this does not apply to vegetables. Before freezing, add a few drops of lemon juice to the fruit to retain the vitamins and protect the fruit from turning brown. If vegetables aren’t frozen, mash them to maintain consistency.
How should I thaw the food?
To thaw food, do not put it in the refrigerator for longer than 48 hours to prevent harmful bacteria from growing. Another option is to put the container in a little boiled water, e.g. B. in a water bath
When using the microwave, stir the food well. Be careful as some areas can be very hot when heated in the microwave. This, in turn, can cause burns in the baby’s mouth and tongue.
Do not refreeze puree once it has thawed. Also, keep the refrigerator clean at all times for optimal protection and general hygiene.
