If you spend hours in the kitchen preparing food for your little ones, you know that feeding older kids is relatively easy. But when it comes to babies around the age of one, it can be a real challenge. Parents often prefer to make their baby’s food at home rather than relying on packaged options. While homemade baby food is nutritious, one of the common issues is dealing with leftovers. Babies often only eat small amounts, leaving you with extra food that can spoil if not stored properly.

Thankfully, with the right storage techniques and tools—like Mylar bags, impulse heat sealers, and oxygen absorbers—you can make the process of storing homemade baby food simple and safe.

Homemade Baby Food: The Basics

Making homemade baby food is quite simple, but it requires attention to detail when choosing ingredients. Start by introducing one fruit or vegetable at a time to your baby, gradually adding more as they adjust to new flavors. Below are some key tips for making homemade purees.

Fruits & Vegetables:

1. Prepare the Fruits & Vegetables: Once your baby is around six months old, you can start introducing them to solid foods like fruits and vegetables. Make sure to wash, peel, and remove seeds from the produce. This ensures the food is clean and safe for your baby to eat.
2. Cook Until Tender & Mash: Boil or microwave the fruits and vegetables until they’re tender. Then, mash them into a smooth puree. For babies under 12 months, avoid adding salt, sugar, or spices. A smooth, lump-free puree ensures that the baby can swallow the food easily without choking risks.

Meat and Eggs:

1. Prepare the Meat and Eggs: Introducing meats and eggs after 6-7 months is important to meet your baby’s iron and zinc needs. Start by thoroughly washing the meat and removing any fat. Similarly, ensure eggs are fresh and clean before cooking.
2. Cook Thoroughly: Both meat and eggs should be cooked fully to avoid the risk of food borne illnesses. Once done, chop and mash them into fine pieces to make them easier for babies to swallow without choking. Always be cautious when introducing these foods.

Essential Precautions for Homemade Baby Food:

  • Always use fresh ingredients when preparing food for your baby.
  • Store baby food immediately after cooking in the refrigerator.
  • Do not reuse leftovers from your baby’s bowl, as bacteria may contaminate the food.
  • Use proper storage methods to preserve the food’s quality and safety.
 

The Best Storage Solutions for Homemade Baby Food:

Proper storage is essential to keep your baby’s food fresh and safe for future meals. Here are a few storage techniques to make your life easier:

1. Use Mylar Bags:

Mylar bags are a great solution for storing baby food, especially purees. These durable, food-safe bags can protect food from external elements like air, light, and moisture. You can easily seal Mylar bags using an impulse heat sealer, ensuring that the baby food stays fresh for a longer period.
Tip: Store the purees in small, portion-sized amounts to make it easier to grab what you need without defrosting more than necessary.

2. Oxygen Absorbers:

For dried or dehydrated fruits and vegetables, oxygen absorbers are a must. They help extend the shelf life of baby food by removing oxygen from the packaging, thus preventing spoilage.Make sure to use food-safe, BPA-free oxygen absorbers to ensure the safety of your baby’s food.

3. Dehydrate, Freeze Dry or Freeze Purees:

If you’re preparing a large batch of purees, refrigerate the amount you’ll use in the next couple of days and freeze the rest in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. You can also dehydrate or freeze dry if you’re storing in bulk for longer term or for emergencies. Be sure to label the bags with the preparation date and content to keep track of freshness.

Key Takeaway:

Feeding your baby homemade food can be rewarding, but proper preparation and storage are essential to ensure their health and safety. Once your baby reaches 6-7 months, you can begin introducing purees made from fruits, vegetables, meats, and eggs into their diet. While doing so, always be cautious about how you prepare and store the food.

To make things easier, turn to Wallaby for the best storage solutions. Wallaby offers high-quality Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and impulse heat sealers that can help you store homemade baby food safely and efficiently for longer periods. These products ensure that your homemade meals stay fresh, nutritious, and ready for your baby whenever needed.

Visit Wallaby’s store now to explore food storage solutions!