Making your own baby food is a great way to save money and ensure that your sweet bundle of joy gets access to healthy, balanced nutrition. But most of us don't have the time or energy to whip up a fresh batch of baby food for each of our baby's meals. This is where the idea of frozen baby food comes into play.
“Freezing baby food is a total game-changer,” says Alicia Chacha Miller, RD, LDN, registered dietician at The Cardamom. “It's a smart way to save time, and money, and ensure your little one is getting a mix of all those good nutrients needed to grow and thrive.”
Although many of us have a basic sense of how freezing baby food works, it's also common to have lots of questions as you start the process, including how to store the foods, which foods keep best, and how to ensure that you handle the food safely.
We've got you covered. Here, our experts share everything you need to know about freezing food for your baby.
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Methods of Freezing Baby Food
There are a variety of ways that you can freeze your baby food. Perhaps the simplest and most popular way of freezing baby food is to use something that you already have in your freezer—an ice cube tray.
Ice cube trays are usually the least expensive option, says Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD, pediatrician, and consultant for Mom Loves Best. You can leave your food in the ice cube tray, or you can transfer it. “Once the food is frozen, the cubes can be popped out of the tray and stored in the freezer in zip-lock bags,” Dr. Poinsett suggests. Each ice cube receptacle translates to about 1 oz of baby food, according to the Academy of American Pediatrics.
Other options include silicone containers made for baby food, Miller says. “Some folks also use freezer bags to freeze baby food in flat, resealable pouches, or those handy breastmilk storage bagsto get the job done,” she offers. You should make sure that whatever plastic container you use is BPA-free.
The one type of jar you might need to be wary of are glass jars. Food tends to expand once frozen, and sometimes glass jars can chip in the freezer, causing small shards of glass to get into your baby's food. If you are considering glass containers, make sure they are labeled as freezer safe, Dr. Poinsett recommends. You may also want to consider not filling the jar to the top to decrease the risk of the jar expanding and cracking.
Whatever receptacle you store your baby's food in, remember to label each container with the date that you stored it, Dr. Poinsett reminds. You should also freeze baby food in small portions—two to four ounces at a time—to minimize waste once you serve it to your baby, Miller advises.
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Best Baby Foods for Freezing
The good news is that there are very few restrictions on which foods to freeze. Really, any baby foods that your little one enjoys can be good for storage. “Most pureed baby food freezes like a charm, keeping its texture and consistency even after thawing,” says Miller.
Some of Dr. Poinsett's top choices for freezing include:
Pureed fruits like blueberries, peaches, and other berriesPureed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, peas, sweet potato, and squash (acorn squash, butternut squash, winter squash, and pumpkin)
What about proteins? “Meats such as chicken, beef, and fish are also good for freezing after theyare cooked,” Dr. Poinsett says. Likewise, foods like eggs, pasta, rice, and tofu also may have texture changes when frozen, and it's best to cook them before freezing, she says.
Some foods are best frozen in chunks and then pureed after defrosting, Dr. Poinsett suggests. These foods include citrus fruits, apricots, grapes, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papaya,pears, plums, and prunes.
Additionally, certain fruits—such as bananas, apples, strawberries, and avocados—are prone to browning when frozen. But Dr. Poinsett says that this is just a cosmetic issue: it doesn't affect their nutritional value and these foods are still safe to eat.
“A splash of lemon juice will help reduce browning,” Dr. Poinsett says. “However, you may want to mash these foods and not freeze them before eating.”
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How Long Can You Keep Baby Food in the Freezer?
Theoretically, homemade baby food can be stored in the freezer for a long time—up to six months, according to Dr. Poinsett. However, she says, frozen baby food is at its best quality and retains its highest nutritional value in the first one to three months of storage. The FDA's recommendation is that baby food be eaten within the first three months of freezer storage.
Keep in mind, too, that commercially prepared frozen baby food can last longer in the freezer, because it's been pasteurized. “Store-bought fruit and veggie purées last a bit longer andcan safely be consumed closer to six to eight months,” Miller recommends.
How to Thaw Frozen Baby Food
So what do you do when it's time to serve frozen baby food to your hungry baby? “When you're thawing out baby food, the safest bet is to let it defrost in the fridge for a few hours or overnight,” says Miller. “Steer clear of leaving it out at room temperature as that could cause bacterial growth, which we want to avoid at all costs, particularly for our littles.”
If you're in a rush and don't have time to thaw the food, you can heat it in a saucepan, or run the container under cool water, Miller says. You can also use your microwave's “defrost setting” to thaw it. However, before serving microwaved, always test the temperature, as microwaved foods tend to be heated unevenly, which can lead to accidental burns.
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Safety Considerations for Thawed Baby Food
Babies have immature immune systems and are therefore more prone to infection than older children and adults. That's why it's super important to practice proper hygiene when making and storing baby food. “Keeping things clean when handling your baby's food is crucial to avoid contaminating it with bacteria that could make your baby sick,” says Miller. “Ensure hands are washed thoroughly with warm, soapy water, surfaces are clean, and storage containers are in top shape.”
What to do if your baby doesn't finish their defrosted baby food? Unfortunately, you'll need to trash it. “Toss any baby food that comes into direct contact with your baby's mouth or saliva,” Miller explains. Also toss any food out that looks or smell spoiled, or has been in the freezer for more than a few months. “If it's past its prime, throw it out without hesitation,” Miller emphasizes.
If you've defrosted the food and your baby hasn't eaten it, however, you can save it. You can't pop it back in the freezer, though. “Do not refreeze baby food once it's been defrosted,” says Dr. Poinsett. “Defrosted frozen baby food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.”
The Bottom Line
Making your own baby food and freezing it is a great idea, if it works for you. But you don't have to be a hero. If buying premade baby food works better for you, go for it. Also keep in mind that it's not all or nothing. You can freeze baby food sometimes or use it for some of your baby's meals, and then go with store-bought food the rest of the time. Do what works best for you and your family. And if you find yourself with lingering questions about your baby's diet or nutrition, be sure to reach out to a pediatrician or health care provider.
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