While there are a variety of advantages and benefits that motivate parents to make their own baby food, storing them might present a problem. But don’t worry, with the best food storage containers and solutions, you can do away with these issues and just store your baby’s food easily and safely.
How We Chose the Best Baby Food Storage Containers and Solutions
The very first consideration is the material. You have two options for the material used for baby food storage containers: plastic and glass. Glass is more suitable as you can reuse them as long as you like. You don’t have to worry about chemicals coming off the glass and into your baby’s food.
However, glass can easily break, and these containers are heavier than plastic ones. On the other hand, plastic containers are more lightweight, and you can use them again. Just make sure that you choose the right kind of plastic for your baby food containers. According to Life Hack, you should opt for plastics labeled Type 2, Type 4, or Type 5.
These are the kinds that are food-safe and reusable. Polyethylene terephthalate plastics are also safe, but these containers are for one-time use only because their surfaces can accumulate bacteria quickly. Another way to choose the right plastic baby food container is to look at the recycling codes. Avoid those that are marked:
- 3 (which contains phthalates)
- 6 (which has styrene)
- 7 (contains BPA and other bisphenols)
Choosing the Best Baby Food Storage Containers: Other Considerations
Apart from the materials used in making the containers, we also looked at how the products were designed, along with the features:
- Easy to pack or store. Our recommended products are very easy to store. We considered how much space they would take up. What’s more, you should be able to fill them up and clean them easily.
- Food pops out easily. One of the most frustrating and mind-racking issues when dealing with frozen food is that getting them out of the container can be difficult. So we chose the products that allow you to get the food out easily. Or those that you can use so that you don’t need to get the food out when you feed.
- Easy to clean. A dirty baby food container can harbor bacteria and pathogens that can make your baby sick. So we made sure that our choices were easy to clean, with no tight areas or corners that may be a bit difficult to scrub down. We also prefer dishwasher-safe products when they are available.
- Easily labeled. Labeling the food you store is a good practice to know when you made the baby food and even what type of food it is. As such, we chose products that are easily labeled, such as allowing you to write on the lid or the jar itself.
- Portions. There are two considerations when dealing with portioning. One is your baby eating habits, such as how much food he or she eats for one meal. Or how much food you prepare for every batch. As such, we have included containers with different capacities.
Best Baby Food Storage Containers and Solutions: Our Recommendations
Glass Jars
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using glass jars to prepare or store your food. Glass jars do not have chemicals that can get into the things that your babies eat.
WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Jars
The WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Jars are microwavable and dishwasher safe. It’s also ergonomically designed, so there is a reduced risk of dropping and breaking these jars. These storage solutions are made of glass, which makes them safer for your baby. It doesn’t absorb liquids from the food you prepare, plus it’s made with non-porous and food-grade material.
It comes in two color schemes: bright and matte. There are also two sizes available:
- Set of 12 jars that can hold four ounces (118.3 milliliters) of food
- Set of eight jars that can accommodate eight ounces (236.6 milliliters) of food
These jars all have their own airtight lids, so you can keep the food fresh without freezer burn.
Pros
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Uses food-grade material
- Easy to open
- You can write on the lid so that you can conveniently label the jars.
Cons
- Some users report that these jars break easily, especially when heated in a microwave.
KeaBabies 12-Pack Baby Food Glass Containers
The KeaBabies 12-Pack Baby Food Glass Containers hold four ounces (118.3 milliliters) of homemade baby food. These glass jars are perfect for those who dislike worrying about chemicals getting into their baby’s food. The product is free from phthalates, PVC, lead, or BPA.
You can prepare up to 12 meals beforehand. These jars come with leakproof and airtight lids with a silicone ring to ensure that your food stays fresh and your freezer is clean. You can put purees, fruits, and other snacks inside these jars too. You can easily get one and feed your baby or bring it with you when you go to the park to play.
What’s more, these jars are stackable, so even when you use all 12, you won’t take up a lot of freezer space. And with glossy surfaces for the lids, you can label it easily.
Pros
- Stackable and safe jars
- Good for up to 12 meals
- Airtight lids keep the food fresh
Cons
- More expensive than similar sets
Plastic Containers
When choosing a container for your homemade baby food, look for those labeled phthalate-free or BPA-free. This way, you can ensure that these chemicals in the plastic do not get into your baby’s food.
Mumi&Bubi Solids Starter Kit
The Mumi&Bubi Solids Starter Kit is a set of two storage trays that you can use for homemade baby food. You get 21 one-ounce (29.6 milliliters) cubes with each tray, totaling 42 portions.
What’s more, these trays have a snug lid that means you don’t spill the baby food inside your freezer, and there is no freezer burn. According to this article, freezer burn is when food is discolored or tough and has ice crystals covering it. While freezer burn doesn’t affect the safety of the food, it does ruin its quality.
You will love how conveniently easy it is to clean these trays. It has a rounded slot, so there are no corners where food can lodge. These smooth edges also mean that the frozen food slides out easily. You can stack the trays one over the other, saving you precious freezer space.
Pros
- BPA-free, PVC-free, and non-toxic
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Includes a free e-book filled with recipes that you can try
Cons
- Some users complain that getting the food to pop out of the tray can be challenging.
- Loose lid
OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers
The OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers hold up to two ounces (59.1 milliliters) of homemade baby food. You can just fill it up and freeze your baby’s meals and then heat it when it’s time to eat. These containers have watertight and airtight lids to make sure that the food stays at its freshest. There are also measure markings at the sides so you can accurately put the right amount of food.
Each storage container is made of plastic, and it’s certified phthalate and BPA-free. You can safely put it in the microwave and dishwasher. You can use the storage tray to stack these containers neatly inside the freezer or refrigerator.
Pros
- These containers are made with safe plastic.
- Convenient measurement markings for accurate portion sizes
- Can be stacked with the included storage tray
- Easy-to-open lid
Cons
- You need to buy the dissolvable labels separately.
- Some reviewers complain about the cover breaking either in the freezer or in the dishwasher.
Pouches and Other Baby Food Storage Solutions
Apart from glass jars and plastic containers, there are also pouches that you can use for that convenient no-spoon mealtime with your baby. Plus, if you are trying to go plastic-free but you don’t like to deal with glass that can sometimes break, there are silicone trays that you can buy as well.
Here are our recommendations.
Hippypotamus Reusable Baby Food Pouches
The Hippypotamus Reusable Baby Food Pouches are available in two sets of design options:
- Rainbow, mountain, and cloud
- Black and white
Available in sets of 12 squeezable pouches, each one is made with non-toxic PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free plastic. You can reuse these pouches as much as you like. There’s a zipper opening, which allows you to fill and clean these pouches with ease. There are no hard-to-reach corners that can trap food and encourage the growth of bacteria.
These pouches are dishwasher safe and freezer safe. Plus, it is also leakproof. These pouches can hold around four ounces (118.3 milliliters) of food each.
Pros
- Convenient, no-spoon feeding
- Safe materials
- Easy to clean
- Kid-friendly design
- You can take it with you
Cons
- Baby food needs to be pureed, liquefied, or soft.
- Some buyers complain that their pouches are not durable.
Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouches
The Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouches give you five designs in a pack of 10 pouches. These silicone pouches are safe to put inside the freezer, very durable, and food-safe. It has a double zipper opening that makes it easy for you to clean or fill it with food. What’s more, these pouches are available in two sizes: five and seven ounces (147.9 and 207.0 milliliters).
Pros
- Reusable and convenient
- Easy to fill and clean
Cons
- Some buyers complained that these pouches leaked.
- Others report that it holds a smaller quantity of food than advertised.
WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray
The WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray has six slots, each holding three ounces of food. What’s more, it comes in seven colors:
- Bright blue
- Bright gray
- Bright green
- Bright pink
- Bright purple
- Bright yellow
- Muted green
This tray is made with food-grade silicone. It is very flexible, and the food you put inside will not stick. As such, frozen food easily pops out of the tray. You can put the tray in your dishwasher, and you can even boil it. It comes with a lid that you can clip on the tray to keep your food fresh.
The tray is very stable, so you don’t have to clean up messes from spilled food.
Pros
- No need to use a knife to pry the food out
- Flexible
- Easy way to store homemade baby food
Cons
- Some people claim that the product is not made with pure silicone
- It may take up a lot of space in your freezer or refrigerator
Sprout Cups Silicone Baby Food Storage Tray
The Sprout Cups Silicone Baby Food Storage Tray comes in a pack of two trays, each one having 18 one-ounce (29.6 milliliters) slots. The silicone tray is free from BPA and phthalate.
You can easily cover the tray using the snap-on lid and then pop it into the freezer.
Pros
- Flexible and the food can easily be removed
- You can’t fill it to the brim
Cons
- The lids can be difficult to open.
How Long Can you Store Baby Food?
Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for three to eight days at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 to 4.4 degrees Celsius). If you freeze it, it can last up to a year. But what about other food items? How long can you leave homemade baby food in the refrigerator or freeze it?
According to this site:
| Food | Refrigerator | Freeze |
| Formula | 48 hours | Do not freeze |
| Opened jars of commercial baby food | 72 hours | Not suitable for freezing |
| Strained fruits | 72 hours | 6 to 8 months |
| Strained vegetables | 72 hours | 6 to 8 months |
| Eggs | 24 hours | 1 to 2 months |
| Meat | 24 hours | 1 to 2 months |
| Homemade baby food | 24 to 48 hours | 3 to 4 months |
Additionally, according to the Michigan State University Extension, you should:
- Never leave baby food at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Check the use-by dates for formula and other commercial baby food.
- Put a small amount of baby food in a dish rather than feeding your baby directly from the jar.
- Use commercial baby food or milk formulas immediately after these have been opened.
Final Thoughts
Homemade baby food allows parents to make sure that their babies get safe and nutritious meals. With the best baby food storage containers and solutions that we recommend here, you can ensure that the food you prepare stays fresh. Your baby is safe from whatever potentially harmful chemicals that some cheap and substandard products might have.