Baby food storage tray
Buying Guide 2022: Best Baby Food Storage (6 expert tips)
The Best Baby Food Storage Containers for storing and freezing homemade baby food. Plus – 6 expert tips on how to store baby food, as well as a how-to guide on freezing and thawing your own baby food, FAQs, pros and cons and so much more!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Best Baby Food Storage ContainersWant to make your own homemade baby food, but are not sure the best way to store it?
Then this post is for you!
Regardless if you are making homemade purees or going with the baby-led weaning approach to feeding your baby, you will need some small fridge and freezer-safe containers to store your baby’s food in.
Below you will find my tried-and-true storage containers at all price points, along with my guide on how to freeze and thaw baby food purees., FAQs, pros and cons of each container, as well as 6 tips on the best way to store baby food.
How to Make Baby Food Video
Watch this video to see how easy it is to make and store your own baby food!
Top Baby Food Freezer Storage ContainersIf you just want to cut straight to the chase – these are our absolute favorite storage containers for baby food.
Baby Food TraysWEESPROUT Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray – great 10-sectioned baby food tray that holds 1.5oz each, but has a 1 oz fill line for smaller portions. Is made out of premium food-grade silicone and has a plastic lid for easy stacking. These trays or worth their price and we would recommend getting a couple of their fun color trays so you can easily stock up on your homemade baby food.
4 Pack of Silicone Ice Cube Molds Tray with Lid – This is a newer purchase for us and so far the quality has been great and you can’t beat the price for 4 trays! The trays are made out of food-grade silicone and BPA-free plastic and each cube gives you 1oz of baby food.
WEESPROUT Glass Baby Food Storage Containers – We absolutely love these jars! You get 12 colorful glass jars that hold 4oz each. Great for storing baby food purees as well as yogurts, overnight oats, chia seed pudding for toddlers and kids. While the price is a little high, you will get many years worth out of these jars. Well worth the investment in our opinion.
Babymoov Glass Food Storage Containers – I love that this set comes with two different sizes of containers – 4oz and 8oz. This is great if you have a baby that is a bigger eater and needs more than an ounce or two of purees at each meal.
Plastic Baby Food ContainersWEESPROUT Leakproof Baby Food Storage – just as amazing as their glass jars, just with a smaller price tag! This set comes with 12 colorful 4oz jars made out of BPA free high-quality polypropylene plastic.
I also love that this plastic version is easier (and lighter) to toss into your diaper bag for a quick baby meal on the run.
OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers – a great smaller set that contains 4 – 4oz PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free jars and a storage tray. Great space-saver system that helps keep your jars of baby purees organized and tidy. Plus, you can easily stack more trays on top of each other if you need a bigger freezer stash.
Full Review of each Container: for our full reviews on each of the above products, including pros and cons, go to the end of this guide.
Other Helpful Tools- Stasher Bags – these silicone reusable bags can hold your frozen cubes of baby food purees.
- ZipLock Bags – another option for storing your frozen purees in.
When making homemade baby food purees, your freezer is about to become your best friend, allowing you to keep several weeks’ worth of baby purees at the ready.
For more information on how to make your own baby food, check out my Ultimate Guide on Making Your Own Baby Food!
- After making your puree, let it cool until just warm.
- Spoon the puree into your choice of baby food storage container.
- Cover your container with a lid or plastic wrap, and place in the freezer.
- Let the puree freeze completely before you crack the purees out of the tray and place the cubes into a plastic freezer zip-lock or stasher bag. If using jars, the frozen purees would stay in the jars.
- Label each bag or jar with the name of the puree and the date you made it.
Thawing may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to know your options. There are three different ways to thaw purees:
MicrowaveTake the frozen puree cubes that you want to serve out of your freezer, place them in a glass container, and microwave in 20-second increments, stirring every time.
The puree is ready when it is just warm to your touch.
Grab two clean spoons, one for you and one for your baby, and test your puree before serving.
Some infants like their puree cold, warm, or really warm, and some will devour it no matter the temperature. You will get to know your baby’s personal preferences as the two of you bond over food.
FridgeThis one takes the longest time, but it is a great alternative to using a microwave.
Take the frozen puree cubes you want to serve out of your freezer, and place them in glass containers with airtight lids and leave in the fridge for 12 to 16 hours. Do not leave the puree in the container to thaw on the counter or anywhere out of the fridge, as bacteria will start to grow at a rapid rate – which is definitely not good.
The puree will be cold but thawed, so if your baby likes her puree warmed, you’ll have to finish the job using the microwave or stovetop method.
StovetopIn the smallest saucepan, you can find, place the frozen puree cubes you want to serve, and gently thaw them on medium-low heat until warm, stirring occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you store homemade baby food?
You can store homemade purees in the fridge for up to 5 days or up to 4 months in the freezer. For small finger foods, depending on the item, you can store those in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Is it better to store baby food in glass or plastic?
You can do either! Just make sure to use plastic containers that are BPA-free and container no scratches or dents. To keep the plastic in tact, be sure to wash the containers by hand and do not place in the microwave.
6 Expert Tips on Storing Baby Food- Do Not Overfill: it’s important not to overfill any baby food storage container as the purees will expand slightly when freezing.
- Label Purees: in order to know what you are feeding baby, it’s important to label your purees while they are freezing in the storage containers and when they are stored in freezer bags.
Make sure you put the name of the puree as well as the date you made it on. Putting the date on it helps you remember when the puree will expire. - Keep Some/Freeze Some: whenever you make a puree, put several ounces in the fridge for your little one to enjoy that week, then freeze the rest of the batch for her to finish up at a later date.
- Dedicate Space in Freezer: I found it helpful to dedicate a certain space in the freezer (a shelf or drawer) just for your homemade baby food purees. That way you don’t have to go rummaging around your freezer trying to find a puree when your baby is already hungry for dinner. I also found this helpful so that I could take a quick look in my freezer to know exactly how much purees we had on hand and when I would need to make some more.
- Have Multiple Storage Containers on Hand: while not cheap, having multiple storage containers on hand is really needed to be able to have a good freezer stash of your own baby food.
I usually recommend having at least 4 storage trays or 2 sets of jars. This way you can make and store a good amount of purees for the weeks ahead. With the trays, you will freeze the purees in them and then once frozen you can pop out the cubes and place them into a freezer bag, thus leaving you with more trays to work with. For the baby food jars, you will freeze the purees in the jars but they do not pop out, you have to thaw and serve the purees in order to get the jar ready for the next round of food. Either work great, just depends on how you work in your kitchen. - What to Look For: regardless of which jars or trays you go with, look for a freezer-safe and dish-washer-safe brand, cuz I know you have better things to do than handwash dishes!
More Resources
Here are some more in-depth guides that will help you feed your baby!
- Best Spoons for Baby
- 12 Best High Chairs for Baby
- Best Sippy Cups for Baby
- Best Baby Cereals
- Beaba Babycook Neo Review
Key Features
- Includes 10 sections that hold 1.
5 ounce each, with a 1-ounce fill line for smaller portions - 100% food-grade silicone
- Reinforced bottom with a sturdy build for stacking multiple trays
- Non-stick for easy food removal
- Easy clip-on lid provides coverage
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in a variety of fun colors
Why Our Experts Love it
No more time spent looking for lost container lids! We love this compact, all-in-one baby food storage design. It’s ultra-durable, unbreakable, and made with 100% food-grade silicone, which means no harmful chemicals contacting your baby’s food.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Multiple sections make it possible to mix and match flavors for a balanced meal
- 100% food-grade silicone
- Sturdy design makes it easy to stack multiple trays at once
- Comes with easy clip-on lid
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Lid is made of plastic, although contact with baby food is minimal to none, depending on how full you decide to fill containers
Parent’s Review
WEESPROUT Silicone Baby Food Freezer TrayI’m really pleased with the baby food cube trays.
-JenniI’ve now been using them for 2 weeks to do my batch cooking for my baby boy. They’re fantastic, good portion sizes, easy to remove and clean, great clip-on lid to prevent food from spilling out before frozen. I will most likely invest in a couple more trays in the near future.
No more making baby food every day or cleaning multiple containers throughout the week! Batch prep baby food, purees, breastmilk, and more – then store your food in the tray or transfer to a Ziploc bag for easy meals.
Amazon
Walmart
Key Features
- Food grade silicone
- Comes with removeable lid
- Easy to stack and store in the freezer
- Dishwasher safe
Why Our Experts Love it
The quality is great and you can’t beat the price for 4 trays! Each cube gives you 1 ounce of baby food for perfect portion sizing to help minimize waste.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Great price
- Each tray has 14 small sections, giving you plenty of space for different baby food flavor combinations
- Small portion size can be useful for other items, such has freezing bone broth, fresh herbs in olive oil or candy molds
Cons
- Not made with the same high-qualilty materials as the trays marketed for baby food – which may not last as long.
Parent’s Review
4 Pack of Silicone Ice Cube Molds Tray with LidI bought the trays to freeze my homemade baby food (thanks to COVID-19, I needed to save money and had the extra time). These trays are AMAZING! The lids made for easy stacking in the freezer. The cubes were very easy to pop out, definitely more sturdy than they feel, easy to clean, great colors, and can’t beat the price for he quality. I highly recommend this product!! Thank you!!
-Lacey
These silicone ice cube molds are quite the bargain! The flexible silicone material shapes the bottom well, making it easy to release baby food.
Amazon
Key Features
- Set of 12 glass baby food storage containers with lids
- 4-ounce capacity jars with measurement markings
- Made of food-grade glass
- Airtight, twist-on lids
- Microwave, freezer and dishwasher friendly
- Also available in 8-ounce capacity
Why Our Experts Love it
We love these colorful, eco-friendly glass jars. They are great for storing baby food purees as well as yogurts, overnight oats, and chia seed pudding for toddlers and kids. They also come in a BPA-Free plastic version – WEESPROUT Leakproof Baby Food Storage.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Ultra-durable glass jars
- Airtight twist-on lids helps keep food fresh
- Convenient measurement markings lets you control the portion size
- Jars are stackable for space saving
Cons
- More expensive than other storage containers, although many reviewers feel their durability makes the investment well worth it
Parent’s Review
WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage ContainersI’m thrilled at this product.
-MichelleI was looking for non-toxic, non-plastic container options to store baby food and to take to daycare. This has been an awesome solution! I love that I can store in freezer, write on lid, and thaw food in warmer without worrying about heating up plastic. The glass is sturdy, they look great, and I can reuse for more than just baby food. I’m really happy with this purchase. The package came safe with thoughtful minimal packaging. Love this eco-friendly, zero waste baby product. Wee Sprout has been excellent to work with and offers amazing customer service.
WeeSprout Baby Food Storage Containers make batch preparing baby food quick and easy. Airtight lids keep food fresh, nutritious, and delicious longer.
Amazon
Walmart
Key Features
- Set of 8 glass containers and lids (four, 4 ounce and four, 8 ounce containers)
- Measurement markings on the jars
- Leak proof lids
- Made of environmentally-friendly glass, BPA and Phtalate free
- Microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe
Why Our Experts Love it
We love that this set comes with two different sizes of containers – 4 ounce and 8 ounce.
This is great if you have a baby that is a bigger eater and needs more than an ounce or two of purees at each meal.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Multi size pack provides convenience
- Airtight screw top keeps food fresh
- Stain resistant and free from harmful components
- Stackable for easy storage
Cons
- More expensive than other storage containers, although many reviewers feel their durability makes the investment well worth it
Parent’s Review
Babymoov Glass Food Storage ContainersI bought a set to test out as reusable containers for my breast milk and I am not disappointed!! I love that they’re able to hold a good quantity of milk even more so than the baggies and the main reason I got them is because I can easily just wash them and reuse them…. they fit perfectly fine and could be easily stacked so I’d say they’re the perfect size!! The lid is a twist on so you don’t have to worry about leaks at all which was another important thing for me very easy to use clean and reuse… the best part is I can use them for this now and later on when needed I can use them for other things so I’ll be getting my money’s worth with them.
-Adriana
Provides a healthy and easy way to store your baby’s meals, in addition to preserving the taste of food for longer. Stackable for easy storage and microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
Amazon
Walmart
Key Features
- Set includes four, 4-ounce containers and stackable tray
- Leak-proof seal
- Measurement markings indicate portion sizes
- BPA free
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Also available in 2-ounce capacity
Why Our Experts Love it
The OXO Tot Baby Blocks are a great smaller set if you don’t plan on making a lot of baby food or only making baby food occasionally. The space-saver system helps keep your jars of baby purees organized and tidy.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Airtight, watertight, leak-proof seal prevents spills in freezer or diaper bag
- Stackable tray keeps containers stable and organized in the freezer
- Measurement markings make portioning simple
Cons
- Some reviewers find that taking apart 3 pieces to wash can be tiresome, but does allow for a thorough cleaning
Parent’s Review
OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage ContainersThe quality of these containers is definitely much superior than the other cheap ones we see here on Amazon.
– RenataWhy buy a cheaper thing to your baby if you will be using these containers over an over again? Also they are beautiful and very easy to clean. They are so good that I decided to buy more sets, I have 2 of 4 oz containers and 2 of the 6 oz containers. For now, that my baby is 8 months old his meals are 4 oz but might improve in the future so I decided have those bigger ones and fill with whatever quantity I want now.
Baby Blocks are airtight, watertight and leakproof for safe storage and spill-free outings. Blocks fit into the freezing tray, and multiple trays can be stacked to save space in the freezer.
Amazon
Walmart
Target
Baby Food Freezer Tray - Clear - otterlove by Platinum Pure
Home / Shop / food storage / Baby Food Freezer Tray – Clear
Sale!
Freeze homemade food, milk, or use as a fun snack container.
Our freezer tray makes your life easier to prepare fresh, homemade, and wholesome meals for your child, without compromising safety for convenience. We insist on only using the highest quality silicone in all of our products so you can rest assured that your little one is not exposed to any dangerous toxins. Our products are designed to make mealtime safe, fun, and carefree.
$14.99
Baby Food Freezer Tray - Clear quantity
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Category:food storage SKU: food-trays-clear-9-cup
- Description
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Premium Quality:
Made with 100% Platinum Pure silicone – an FDA & LFGB certified material with no fillers.
Our products WILL pass the pinch test and will last longer than cheaper silicone!
Highest Purity & Safety Standards:
No BPA, BPS, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Cadmium, or other nasty toxins.
100% Silicone Container & Lid (NO PLASTICS)
The lid is also made out of 100% Platinum Pure silicone (not plastic), which means there’s no plastic contact on the food (like other freezer trays). The cover is soft, bendable, and easy to remove and clip back on. The silicone lid creates a secure and tight seal, helping to prevent contamination, freezer burn, and spills. Silicone is also naturally resistant to bacteria, odor, and stains.
Perfect 2.5 oz Portions:
The 9 portion cups hold 2.5oz of food or liquid- a perfect for you and your baby.
Easy to Fill & Remove:
The wide round of each cup makes it easy to pour in homemade baby food without making a mess. The flexible silicone tray allows for effortless release– just gently push the bottom and the frozen food will pop right out.
The durable silicone design and cover allow for convenient stacking of freezer trays.
Durable & Multi-Use:
The tray can be used in a myriad of ways– use it to freeze herbs, broth cubes, make popsicles, freeze extra sauces, make king size ice cubes, etc. Beyond freezing, the tray can function as a serving dish for finger foods, a paint palette tray, a storage container for food and nonfood items. With a little creativity, the functions of this tray are endless!
Not all silicone is created equal. All otterlove products are made using only Platinum Pure™ silicone – a much higher quality and more durable silicone. Our Platinum Pure™ silicone is just that – Pure European LFGB and FDA certified material with no fillers. Our highly controlled process with platinum curing ensures our exacting standards are met: the cleanest, safest, and purest silicone for you and your family.
Care:
Contents can be written on the silicone lid using a ballpoint pen or washable marker.
Simply wipe clean for next use. To clean: Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and air dry. Both the tray and lid can also be washed in your dishwasher’s top rack.
Caution:
When freezing, leave room inside the pod for the liquid to expand.
Avoid using metal utensils that may slice through the container.
How to store baby food while traveling
How to store baby food while traveling by car?
Baby food to take with you on the road
In the trunk of a car, the air temperature can rise to 40°C or more, so storage of food on the road must be taken very carefully:
Dry foods such as milk formulas, instant cereals cereals and fruit-based products (fruits, fruits and cereals, drinks) are well stored on the road. These products can be easily transported in the trunk. nine0011
Vegetables and products containing meat (menu, meat purees), on the other hand, are sensitive to prolonged exposure to air temperatures above 40°C.
Therefore, special attention should be paid to the storage temperature of these products on the road. If possible, store these products in the vehicle interior. Thanks to ventilation and air conditioning, the air temperature in the cabin is lower.
To be transported in the trunk: chill the jars in the refrigerator before you travel and then pack them in your travel cooler bag. nine0007
In addition, the jars must be packed in such a way that they do not break during transport. It is best to put them in a tray wrapped in plastic wrap. Keep all the products you need on the road at hand in the car.
Storage of baby food at the resting place
At the resting place, jars are recommended to be stored below 35°C. Before use, be sure to check the factory tightness of the package. If there is no vacuum in the jar, then the product is not usable. nine0025
How to determine the loss of vacuum in a closed jar? There is no vacuum loss, and therefore the jar is fine if.
..
1. Lid does not bend when pressed.
2. Click when opening the jar.
We wish you a pleasant journey and a good rest!
Learn more: Advice
Video: Weaning - advice from a midwife Video: Baby massage DietFood and drinkBaby's digestionOn holiday with a baby
Stress-free travelNutrition tipsHow to store baby food while travelingVacation checklistFirst aid for your baby on vacation
AllergiesSleepBaby's cryingMotor and speech
Choice of complementary foods
No age restrictions from the first daysfrom 1 monthfrom 4 monthsfrom 5 monthsfrom 6 monthsfrom 7 monthsfrom 8 monthsfrom 9 monthsfrom 10 monthsfrom 12 months
puree from 4 months - Vegetable puree from 5 months - Vegetable puree from 6 months - Vegetable puree from 7 months - Vegetable puree from 8 months Fruit puree - from 4 months - from 5 months months - from 6 monthsMeat purees - Meat pureesMeat and vegetable menu - from 8 months - from 12 monthsFish and vegetable menu - from 9Soups - from 6 months - from 7 months - from 8 months - from 12 months - From 18 months "Good night" in jars - Cereal porridge with fruit in jarsDrinks - Health drinks - Granulated teas - Tea bags - JuicesCookies - Cookies
trends in baby food packaging
Baby food is classified as an essential product - it is supplied in special packaging that meets many requirements: the safety of the product and its taste, detailed information about the composition and possible allergic reactions.
When developing the design and functionality of packaging, it is important to take into account the interests of the target audience - these are parents and children from the age of one who can already express their reactions and attitudes towards the product. Nikolay Artamonov, founder and creative director of Otlichnosti, considered several approaches to category design. nine0055
Snacks
Minimalist bright and light packages with salivary design can be considered a classic approach. Communication is aimed at basic instincts - "Your child will be very tasty." Unusual flavor combinations also stimulate the desire to try the product.
Suitable for consumers of all ages, Applesauce Adventures Organic Applesauce comes in three flavors: Spicy Apple, Straight from the Tree, and Sweet as Apple Pie. Applesauce is packaged in a squeezable bag, which allows you to eat it right away or squeeze it into a separate container. nine0005
The Applesauce Adventures
Cherub Food jars are packaged with a focus on aesthetics, with each plump glass jar featuring a minimalist label featuring a cartoon mouth with a tongue.
Cherub Food, Me + James Studio
With their simple and modern look, Cherub Food jars are eye-catching and show that only the most essential ingredients are used in the formula. Designed by Me + James Studio. nine0005
Cherub Food
Healthy products for an anxious audience
Parents are the most anxious target audience. The most important indicator for them is the usefulness of the products that they give to their babies.
Boxes and fully transparent packaging detailing the ingredients and how they are processed are used by baby food designers to convey core brand values.
UK startup Keep It Real Baby makes nutritious, clean, organic baby food that is as close to homemade as possible. The Love Mondays packaging design is inspired by the core values of the brand: be honest, stay playful, stay inclusive, and keep inspiring. nine0005
Inspired by children's books, the designers hand-created textures and paper-cut illustrations that perfectly fit the idea of fair and fun food.
Horizon is a tribute to farm to fork with the highest quality ingredients. All this is balanced with a very clean and modern branding and color coding to make it stand out on the shelf as much as possible.
Functional bonuses
When the product itself is already useful and tasty, the functional advantages of packaging of a particular brand come into play. Convenient doypacks for feeding outside the home, mini-spoons, tight lids in case the child has not finished eating, as well as kitchen “gadgets” for making mashed potatoes on your own. nine0005
Little Spoon first introduced itself to parents as a healthy baby food brand that produces baby food formulas for different ages that prioritize freshness. With subscription and delivery options, parents choose the meal plan that best suits their schedule and their child's needs, as well as fresh, organic baby food once every two weeks.
Little Spoon
The brand has also taken care to include a small ergonomic spoon in each package, as the company believes it is important for children to learn to eat on their own and develop healthy eating habits from an early age.
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Baby Garden Glaciers freezer trays from Cardboard Helicopter Product Design allow parents to save time and waste when preparing food.
Baby Garden Glaciers, Cardboard Helicopter Product Design
Each tray comes with six separate baby food containers that parents can store their baby food in advance. On the lids of these capsules, you can make inscriptions with markers - to comply with the shelf life. nine0005
Baby food manufacturer Plum Organics has solved the problem of feeding children on the road - for this, the company turned to the IDEO agency.
Plum Organics, IDEO
The designers have developed transparent containers - a resealable lid makes it easy for parents to store food between feedings, and the container has a feature that allows them to keep track of the day they opened the package to make sure they don't throw away the unspoiled food food.
The new pack is easy and safe to stack and has a recess in the lid for parents to place a spoon, making feeding neat and hygienic.
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Plum Organics, IDEO
Creative for children and their mothers
Today's parents are yesterday's millennials. In addition to the benefits, taste, environmental friendliness and functionality of the packaging, they appreciate the creative approach in design, which is unusual for the category.
The Latin Baby is a Florida-based brand that caters to the needs and preferences of millennial parents. Unlike classic brands that have been on the market for more than a year, the company uses superfood ingredients and decorative packaging. nine0005
The Latin Baby
The Latin Baby is designed with young Hispanic customers in mind. The brand can reach out to consumers using ingredients such as calabash, which are traditionally used in Latin American cuisine. The brand also eschews sugar and sweet fruits and opts for zesty spices instead. nine0005
Constructors
Startup Raised Real offers a subscription to baby food and a machine for making it.
