Options for storing homemade baby food

Intrigued by the post about making your own baby food?  


I suggest setting a day aside every once in a while to make a bunch of it, maybe a day dad can keep the kiddos busy for a while or grandpa and grandma come over to play and you can hide in the kitchen for a while and puree away.  Make a bunch at once set some out in the fridge to use that week and freeze the rest. 


If you choose to freeze, here are some ideas on how to freeze then store it.


1. My favorite: glass jars.  Glass is easy to wash, easy to heat up, no plastic leaching and are fairly easy to find.  Not just any glass jar will do.  Not all glass jars are freezer safe!  Don't re-use your baby food jars, risky!  These are fairly cheep and will last you a LONG time!  I chose the Ball brand 4oz Quilted glass jars with lids.  These are freezer and microwave (without the lid) safe.  Ball also makes a larger quilted jar that is freezer safe if you'd like to freeze more together as baby gets older or for bulk on favorite foods.  I have seen people suggest putting plastic wrap under the lid before you put on the lid and ring to keep a better seal!

2.  My second favorite.  Puree your puree's and freeze them in ice cube trays.  There are a billion different kinds and sizes.  These were two of my favorite.  The white one freezes food in about 1oz cubes, the other is about 1/2 ounce.  The blue one is pretty cool, the bottom is rubber and you push on the bottom to easily pop the food out.  These have come in handy making little puree ice pops for my kids.  They think they are cute when they are that little.  

After they are frozen simply pop them out and put them in their own baggies.  Tip: Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the top, who knows when you'll get to putting them in baggies.    Don't forget a label.  You may think, like I did, Oh, I'll remember.  HA!  Didn't happen for me!  :)


3.  After making your puree, plop it on wax paper on a cookie sheet and freeze.  Place in baggies after frozen and you have pureed blobs.  Con: this takes a lot of space in your freezer to freeze more than one tray at a time.  

If you want to purchase storage containers of some sort, and decide not to use glass, look for items that are BPA free, and are easy to use.  Make sure you can get frozen food out (flexible containers are best), they should fit nicely in your freezer (eg. Stack or lay nicely), and shouldn't cost you a fortune.  


Other fun freezer ideas:

Williams-Sonoma: Beaba Multiportion Baby Food Freezer Tray

$19.95

It's easy to treat your baby to a variety of healthy homemade meals with the aid of this convenient silicone container designed in France.  Just fill each of the seven 2-oz. cups with your little diner's favorite sweet or savory foods, then pop the tray into the freezer.  The airtight plastic lid preserves fresh flavors, textures and nutrients.  When it's time to eat, the individual frozen portions slip right out, ready to be reheated in your Babycook or microwave.  BPA-free. Microwavable and dishwasher safe.  8 1/4" diam.

Other baby food items from Williams-Sonoma

Baby Bullet Storage System
Retail around $20

Dr. Brown's Designed To Nourish Flexpods Storage Jars and Stackable Freezer Trays-BPA Free
$17.10 from Amazon.com

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers, Clear
$9.99 from Amazon.com

Fresh N Freeze 2 oz. Reusable Baby Food Containers 12-Pack
$12.95 from Amazon.com

Vital Baby Press 'n' Pop Mini Freezer Pots, Orange, 1 Ounce, 8 Pack
$5.99 from Amazon.com

Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick and Easy Meals for a Healthy and Happy Baby
$11.55 from Amazon.com

Cooking for Baby: Wholesome, Homemade, Delicious Foods for 6 to 18 Months
$12.18 from Amazon.com