There are a few things to bear in mind when storing and then reheating foods for your baby. Have a look at the tips below:
- Foods that you prepare in advance for your baby should be cooled quickly, then stored in the fridge
- Foods that you have prepared yourself can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours
- Make sure that you know the temperature of your fridge, it should be between 0 and 5°C Always store food and milk for your baby in the centre of the fridge, as this is the coolest part, avoid using the door compartments
- If you have made a batch of food to be frozen, cool it as quickly as possible, then freeze straight away
- Remember to mark your foods with what they are – some foods can look remarkably similar when frozen as ice cubes. Always date them too so you can use them up according to your freezer’s storage guidelines. Most baby foods should be used within 3 months of freezing
- Make sure you cover all foods with tightly fitting lids or seal into bags. Decant your frozen food cubes from the trays into freezer bags once they are frozen, that way you can re-use the trays for another batch
- Always thaw foods thoroughly before reheating
- Never re-freeze meals that have already been frozen
- Never re-heat food more than once and make sure it is heated until it is piping hot then cooled down before serving to your baby
- You can use a microwave to reheat baby food, but be very careful. Stir the food thoroughly to avoid hotspots and allow to cool down to a safe temperature before giving it to your baby
- Always throw away any uneaten food that your baby’s spoon has touched as saliva contains enzymes and bacteria. Try and put only the amount you are going to use in your baby’s bowl to start with, you can always add more