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All baby food should be cooked, except for bananas, tofu, andavocados.
Clean all utensils and work surfaces before preparing baby food. Any tools that were used to handle raw foods (especially chicken, meat, or eggs) should be washed thoroughly with dish detergent and hot water.
Wash your hands before beginning to make baby food. Make sure your hands are clean throughout the process.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to prevent growth of bacteria. Don’t let baby food sit at room temperature more than one hour. If you don’t have time to put the food in freezer trays, cover it and place it in the refrigerator until later.
Preparation and Cooking
Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables with water.
Follow directions for cooking time and standing time. Stoves and microwaves vary slightly in power. Check to be sure that the food you are cooking is done. If you can easily pierce the food with a fork, it is done.
Use only microwave-safe cookware and wraps when cooking food in the microwave.
Wrap or cover foods completely to trap steam when cooking.
Storage
Carefully label and date all foods that are stored in the freezer. Baby food stored in the freezer will last two months.
Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator. Defrosted baby food will last about 2 days in the refrigerator.
Do not save food that the baby spoon or your baby has touched.
Discard any food that has been standing out for more than 1 hour.
Serving
Test food for temperature before serving.
Stir food to distribute heat evenly. If food is too hot to serve, place it in the freezer for a few seconds to cool it down.
Use plastic or paper to serve food, even if you are spoon- feeding. It is highly likely that your baby will find some way to toss the dish or make you drop it.
Use a spoon to feed your baby.
Always have your baby in a sitting position for feeding. Not only is it easier to feed him, but it is also a precaution against choking. You may not be able to use a high chair for the first few months of feeding. Put your baby on your lap or in a bouncy seat or stroller.
