Tips on Storing Food For Infants

Thinking about food storage in general can be kind of daunting. But if you have an infant, you might feel completely lost in knowing how to store food for the little one.

Do you know how long formula should be stored? How about breast milk?

Store-bought baby food? Homemade baby food? The last thing you want is to be in an emergency and have nothing to feed the baby.

It's a lot to keep up with, but knowing the answers to these questions is an important part of maintaining your baby's health and safety. Before choosing to store baby food, make sure you know how long it will safely keep.

Babies between the ages of birth to 24 months have immune systems that are still developing, leaving them more susceptible to germs and bacteria. Bacteria that comes in contact with an older child or adult may not have the same impact that it will have on a baby, which is why it is extremely important that food safety be managed diligently.

The federal government requires manufacturers to include a use-by date on the label of all infant formula and any baby foods that come under FDA regulation. This date is used to indicate the last date in which the quality and nutritional value of the food can be guaranteed (as proven by manufacturer testing).

Do not buy or use any food that has passed its use-by date. Never purchase formula from a can that is dented or damaged in any way. Toss any unfinished formula after feeding. Bacteria multiplies quickly in leftover milk-even when refrigerated.

Do not store formula at room temperature for more than two hours. Fresh formula mixed with water can be stored in the refrigerator for one day. An opened can of formula can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Breast milk, just like formula, needs to be stored properly if it's not used immediately. Expressed breast milk needs to be stored in sterile bottles or containers to prevent bacteria growth and should always be handled with clean hands.

Shake bottles before using to rejoin the fat with the rest of the milk. Store breast milk in the refrigerator for up to two days. Store breast milk in the freezer for up to three months.

Store-bought baby food falls under the same FDA regulations as baby formula, so be sure to check the use-by date before you make the purchase. Baby food in jars should be undamaged and the vacuum seal of the lid should not be broken.

When you open a jar of baby food, you should hear the pop of the seal breaking. If you don't, or the jar lid is not secured tightly, dispose of it.

Do not feed baby directly out of baby food jars. Toss any unfinished food after feeding to prevent bacteria contamination.

Store opened jars of fruits or vegetables for two to three days. Store opened jars of meat for one to two days.

Homemade baby food can be more healthful and less expensive than traditional jarred food but takes much more care to prepare safely. Before beginning to prepare baby food, your kitchen, utensils and containers must be sterile.

For easy portion control and storage, freeze baby food in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, remove from the tray and store in freezer bags. One cube equals one ounce.

Store homemade baby food in the refrigerator for one to two days. Store homemade baby food in the freezer for two to three months.