- Refrigerate breast milk if it will be used within 24 hours. If the milk will not be used in that time, it should be frozen - but only for a maximum of 3-6 months. Date it when you freeze it.
- Store breast milk in the back of the freezer, not in the freezer door. The door is the warmest spot in the freezer. This avoids the possibility of unintentionally defrosting the milk, which can happen with frequent openings and closings of the door.
SAFE STORAGE OF BABY FOOD
| LIQUIDS |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
| Expressed breast milk |
24 hours |
3 to 6 months |
| Formula (stored in individual baby bottles) |
2 days |
Not recommended |
| Whole milk |
5 days |
3 months |
| Reconstituted evaporated milk |
3 to 5 days |
Not recommended |
|
|
| SOLIDS - opened or freshly made |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
| Strained fruits and vegetables |
2 to 3 days |
6 to 8 months |
| Strained meats and eggs |
1 day |
1 to 2 months |
| Meat/vegetable combinations |
1 to 2 days |
1 to 2 months |
| Homemade baby foods |
1 to 2 days |
3 to 4 months |
|
Important Tips to Remember for Baby...
- Don't leave baby food solids or liquids out at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Don't put a bottle or baby-food back in the refrigerator if the baby doesn't finish it.
- To reduce the risks of choking, be watchful of babies and young children while they are eating, and teach children to chew their food well. (In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 4 years old not be fed any round, firm food unless it is cut into small pieces no larger than one-half inch.)
Source: FDA/Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
