Correctly storing and heating your baby’s food promotes safe feeding and can save on costs. Here are some essential tips about baby food and how you and your baby can enjoy feeding time together.
How Long Can Baby Food Stay in the Fridge?
You can store baby food containing fruits and vegetables in the fridge for up to two days and refrigerate food containing meat or poultry for up to one day. Baby food contains essential building blocks necessary for your baby’s health. You can help preserve vitamins and minerals by serving their food fresh and handling it correctly.
Knowing how to reheat baby food is important for food safety. You can reheat baby food in a pan or the microwave until it’s steaming hot to kill off any bacteria. Don’t let the food cool down too long, as bacteria start growing within two hours.
How Many Baby Food Pouches a Day Are Appropriate?
The number of baby food pouches you give your baby a day depends on their contents. Stick to a maximum of two pouches a day, and always read the labels before buying them.
When choosing baby food pouches, quality over quantity is always best, as some offer more health benefits than others. Feeding your baby with pouches high in fiber and low in sugar is ideal.
How Long Is Homemade Baby Food Good For?
Homemade baby food can stay fresh for up to two days in the fridge and one month if you freeze it. Reheat the food in a new container every time. Homemade baby food is a great alternative to store-bought varieties, and you can save money by keeping it simple.
It’s best to prepare your baby’s food daily or every other day. Store it in a clean container covered with a tight lid. Avoid feeding your baby out of the storage container, as saliva and other bacteria can contaminate the food.
Contact Hamilton Health for the Pediatric Support You Need
Navigating the choices you have when feeding your baby can be overwhelming, as you want to give your little one the best. Having a solid support structure to assist you can significantly relieve the burden.
Hamilton Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). We have a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program for those on Medicaid or who cannot afford private care. You can also have a look at our pediatric services and call us at (717) 232-9971 or contact us through our other channels today.