Is It a Good Idea to Save Baby Food?

Questions about how to save baby food occur frequently among parents. There are several ways of doing it, and all of them are very simple. The most important thing is taking the necessary precautions to protect your little one’s health.
Is It a Good Idea to Save Baby Food?

Last update: 09 February, 2019

Practically every mother wonders if it’s a good idea to save baby food. Although it’s preferable for baby food to be fresh, there are various ways of storing it so that it doesn’t lose its nutritional properties.

You can save baby food for up to three months, and you must always take the proper precautions to ensure your baby’s health.

To safeguard your children’s well-being, it’s important to avoid the spread of bacteria. Don’t feed your baby directly from the container where the food is stored. Bacteria in his saliva stays there and reproduces easily.

If you save that food, the next time you eat it, you’ll be contributing to harmful bacteria.

Is it a good idea to save baby good?

Saving baby food will help you save time and money. There are several methods you can use.

Only take what’s necessary

It’s important to separate the portions that your child will eat. With a spoon, take the necessary portion needed for the moment and save the rest in clean, well-sealed containers.

With this type of precaution, you’ll avoid contaminating the food and guarantee that it’s still good to eat next time.

Is It a Good Idea to Save Baby Food?

If you’ve chosen to put the spoon in a container and the baby doesn’t eat it all, it’s best to throw away the rest. That way, once again, you’ll avoid the spread of bacteria that can make children sick if you give them the food later.

In a fresh place

When the jar or bag hasn’t been opened, you can keep it at room temperature in a fresh place. High temperature places can promote the growth of bacteria and spoil the food.

If some of those containers have humidity, it’s best to throw them away immediately since they can make the baby sick.

As you continue to buy new products, we recommended putting them in the back of the pantry. Bring the older foods to the front of the pantry for earlier consumption so they won’t expire.

Two or three days

When containers with puree, soups, or any other food has been opened, it can be kept in the refrigerator for two or three days. This should be done only if the lid is tightly sealed and the food hasn’t been contaminated.

That’s why it’s always recommended to put the portions the baby will eat at the moment in a separate container and save the rest.

When we prepare purees, baby food, or soups, don’t leave them exposed to room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria spreads very quickly.

If you prepare the food at home, you should thoroughly clean the storing containers with soap and hot water. It’s also important to allow the food to cool down before freezing it.

Ice trays are ideal for freezing food: cover them with plastic wrap for the best protection. Once frozen, keep the buckets in bigger containers to store portions for different days.

Frozen, more than three months

Frozen food shouldn’t exceed three months. Label the bottles to remember the content and freezing date.

Recently crushed fruit should be frozen immediately, but not vegetables. With the fruit, add drops of lemon to conserve the vitamins and protect the fruit from becoming brown. With vegetables, crush them when they’re unfrozen to conserve the texture.

Is It a Good Idea to Save Baby Food?

How should I thaw the food?

To thaw the food, you should put it in the refrigerator no more than 48 hours to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria. Another option is putting the container in a little bit of boiled water, like a water bath

If you use the microwave, stir the food well. Be careful with the very hot parts, because they can cause burns in the baby’s mouth and tongue. Don’t freeze a puree once it’s unfrozen. Keep the refrigerator clean for optimal protection and hygiene.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.