It’s preferable to start freezing baby food with vegetables and then move on to fruit. Sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, parsnip, broccoli, peas, potato, zucchini, and cauliflower are all easy to prepare and freeze as baby food. Fruits such as avocado, apple, banana, and pear can be mashed, cooked, or pureed.
Before pureeing, thaw meals completely. Foods that haven’t thawed completely can leave pieces in the puree that can cause choking. Do not re-freeze goods that have been thawed. This can cause bacteria to proliferate, making your baby unwell if she eats them after they have been thawed a second time. Thaw foods just when you’re ready to cook them. They only keep fresh for a short time after being thawed before losing nutrients.
FREEZING BABY FOOD: HOW TO FREEZE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD
After following the recipe and making your baby food, there are proper storage by freeze homemade baby food methods that need to be followed.
FREEZING BABY FOOD: HOW LONG CAN I REFRIGERATE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD?
Homemade baby foods should not be stored in the refrigerator longer than 48 hours, to be safe. Some literature states that 72 hours is still fine. It is better to play it safe with your little one using the 48 hour rule in order to ensure that no bacteria takes up residence in the prepared food. Breast milk is suggested to be stored for up to 72 hours in the refrigerator, but it does not contain dangerous bacteria. Rather, breast milk contains antibiotic properties.
FREEZING BABY FOOD: WHAT TO USE FOR FREEZING BABY FOOD?
IN ICE CUBE TRAYS
Ice cube trays: Ice cube trays can be used to freeze baby food. Ensure that the tray has been properly cleaned and sanitized prior to use, either using a dishwasher, or vigorous handwashing. Each cube on the tray equates to approximately one ounce of food, which is handy in monitoring how much food your baby is consuming. You can make a great amount of food using this method and once frozen, it is easy to pop the cubes out and store them in freezer bags. Be sure to label freezer bags, and do not keep the cubes LONGER than 3 months. After 3 months of freezer storage, consumption is not recommended.
IN MASON JARS
Ball, who manufactures mason jars, makes 4 ounce jars made for freezing. Be sure to only use freezer approved containers, specifically for glass, as glass shatters when the water freezes and expands. You would not want your little one consuming glass shards!
IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS
If desiring to use plastic containers for freezing, ensure that it is freezer safe. Not all plastics are made for food storage, as they leak certain harmful chemicals into foods.
IN SILICONE
Some manufacturers of baby products (Munchkin for example) have a line of storage containers for homemade food products. Certain products have a hard plastic lid with a silicone base. The silicone base is great for freezing, as the silicone expands with the food during the freezing process. The silicone is also flexible to allow for easy removal from the container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to freeze baby food?
Homemade baby foods should not be stored in the refrigerator longer than 48 hours, to be safe. Some literature states that 72 hours is still fine.
What baby foods can be frozen?
Sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, parsnip, broccoli, peas, potato, zucchini, and cauliflower are all easy to prepare and freeze as baby food.
How long are homemade baby purees good for?
Homemade baby foods should not be stored in the refrigerator longer than 48 hours, to be safe.
How do you freeze baby purees?
In ice cube trays,Mason jars,in silicon, plastic containers.
Can I freeze pureed chicken for baby?
Yes,You can freeze chicken puree for baby.
