How do I heat-up and store baby food?

Heating baby food

You should always heat food properly and then allow it to cool before feeding your baby. Most babies don't normally mind food warm or at room temperature.

• Heat homemade food in a saucepan on the element or use a microwave until it is piping hot and steaming all the way through. Then, before feeding it to your baby, make sure it's not too hot by stirring the food to cool and remove any hot spots.
  
• Don't be tempted to partially warm food. Remember microwaves can cause variations in temperature with hot spots, so always stir heated food well and test temperature before serving.
  
• Never re-heat food more than once. Throw away any leftovers. Food that's been in contact with your baby's mouth or cutlery may contain bacteria.

Storing homemade food

At the start, your baby may eat only a tiny amount of the food you cook and purée. So it's a good idea to prepare enough for several meals, or even weeks, and to freeze some to save time later. Freezing does not destroy vitamins, so your baby won't miss out on any goodness. However, there are some safety pointers to keep in mind.

• Once cooled, freeze food as soon as possible
• Your freezer temperature should be minus 18^oC (0^oF) or below
• Freeze food in ice cube trays, and once frozen tip cubes into clean plastic containers with tightly fitting lids, or leave in the ice cube trays in sealed plastic bags (i.e. zip lock bag). Always clearly label bags with the contents and the date on which it was frozen.
• Baby food will keep for three months in the freezer
• Food should always be eaten the day you thaw it
• Never re-freeze meals

Using commercial baby food

• Using a clean plastic spoon, stir the food well, then put only the required amount into a serving dish before heating
• Food left over in the jar can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 24-48 hours, or as stated on the manufacturer's food label
• If you serve directly from the jar, always discard the remaining unused portion
• Always use the contents before the best-before date which appears on the jar