Wash and sterilize containers and lids in the dishwasher before using them. Clearly label foods with their contents and the date they are frozen. Keep frozen baby foods tightly sealed. Spread packages out in one layer on different shelves and only stack once they are all frozen. Only freeze about two to three pounds of baby food per cubic foot of your freezer within a hour period so they can freeze quicker.
Foods to Freeze Pureed If you plan on freezing baby food, start with a few of the following fruits and vegetables that do not lose much in the way of taste or texture when frozen in pureed form. Foods That Don't Freeze Well While freezing baby food gives you a chance to introduce a variety of foods to your baby on a regular basis, not all foods freeze well.
Foods to Freeze in Chunks Some fruits and vegetables that do not freeze well in pureed form may freeze well in another form, allowing you to quickly thaw and puree them or serve them in bite-sized versions for older babies. Other Foods to Freeze for Baby You can also freeze foods in other forms aside from purees or chunks. Make apples into applesauce and freeze it. Freeze grapes whole or cut them in half. Freeze rice, quinoa, and noodles, then puree them after they thaw.
Freeze corn whole and thaw before pureeing. Freeze peas whole then cook and puree when thawed. Freeze oatmeal cooked, but puree it when thawed. Freezing Leftover Food Sometimes, your baby doesn't eat all of his or her food in a sitting or in a day.
If you have leftovers, use the following precautions: Thaw only the portion of food you know your baby will eat. If you are using commercial food and you know the baby doesn't eat a whole jar, spoon a small amount into a bowl and feed your baby from that. Don't refreeze the food if it has already been frozen. If you have leftover commercial food in jars, place it in one of the containers below before freezing. Foods You Shouldn't Freeze Just as there are some foods you shouldn't feed babies, there are some foods you shouldn't try freezing at all because they could be dangerous for your baby.
Avoid freezing: Anything that contains honey because the natural bacteria can lead to infant botulism Any food you have dipped a used spoon in Raw, unpasteurized milk products Outdated canned foods Foods from cans or jars that were damaged.
Containers for Freezing Baby Food In order to portion baby food before it is frozen and help preserve the nutrients, you should use special, sterile containers for freezing the baby food. Freezing Baby Food With Muffin Tins Muffin tins, including mini muffin tins or silicone muffin tins, work similarly to ice cube trays.
Freezing Baby Food With Plastic Freezer Bags Plastic freezer bags such as Ziploc bags , especially the gallon size, allow you to freeze multiple portions of baby food without taking up a lot of space in the freezer. Freezing Baby Food With Cookie Sheets If you do not have ice cube trays, you can freeze portions of baby food on a cookie sheet.
Special Containers for Freezing Baby Food You can also buy special containers designed for freezing baby food. A few of the more popular products include: Qubies is an upside-down ice cube tray. Pour in the tray, add the lid with dividers, and then freeze into perfect portions. Beabe Multiportion Baby Food Freezer Tray comes in multiple colors, has a lid and holds seven different portions in its cute flower shape.
Take food straight from the freezer to the fridge or microwave in One Step Ahead's Fresh 'n Freeze 4-ounce storage containers. Sage Spoonfuls' glass baby food jars are made of freezer-approved glass for parents worried about the effects of freezing food in plastic. Using Frozen Baby Food Once you have frozen your baby food, it's relatively easy to use it when you're ready. Thawing Frozen Baby Foods When it comes time to use your frozen baby food, you must thaw it safely either in the refrigerator, microwave or in cold water.
If you plan to use the baby food over the course of a few days, you can transfer it to a jar or small plastic container with a lid and let it thaw in the fridge. Most small foods will thaw in the refrigerator overnight, so transfer the portions you need for the next day from the freezer to the refrigerator before bed.
Homemade, cooked fruit and vegetable purees are good for up to two days in the refrigerator so thaw it in small portions that will be eaten in that time frame. Homemade, cooked meats are only good for one day in the refrigerator, so if you thaw meats this way you'll need to use them quickly.
If you want to use the baby food right away, you may thaw it over low heat on the stove by putting the food in a clean, small saucepan and stirring until it's the desired consistency. Another quick way to thaw baby food is to microwave it in a glass or ceramic dish in second increments until it is the temperature and consistency you desire, which should take no more than two minutes.
It is also safe to thaw frozen foods in cold water as long as you have the food in a leak-proof bag, make sure the water stays cold and change the water every thirty minutes if the food isn't thawed yet. Do Not Refreeze Thawed Baby Food You should never refreeze a homemade or commercial baby food once it has been thawed.
Safety Precautions for Frozen Baby Food Safety should always be your priority when dealing with frozen baby foods. Reheat food to an internal temperature of degrees for safety and then allow it to cool before feeding it to your baby. Avoid thawing baby food at room temperature or in standing water, because it can cause harmful bacteria to grow. If you use a microwave or other heat source for thawing your baby food, make sure to stir it multiple times to break up any pockets of heat and keep it from burning your baby.
Test microwaved, thawed food to ensure there are no pockets of heat. Try this colorful set of 12 by Kitchen Craft. Store them right in their cups or pop them out and place them in freezer-safe Tupperware. This set by OXO Tot is air-tight and liquid-tight —nothing in, nothing out! How to store it: After mashing those avocadoes, freeze them right in these colorful storage containers. How to store it: Store mashed veggies or fruits in stackable trays.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. Getting Pregnant. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester.
Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Updated June 15, Infant food and feeding. American Academy of Pediatrics. Published Preserving food: Freezing prepared food. The University of Georgia. Updated April Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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Table of Contents. Use Your Freezer. Foods That Freeze Well. Taste or Texture Issues. Storage and Safety. Tips for Optimal Results. How to Make Baby Food at Home. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
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