In a previous post, we outlined the Super Baby Food Food Cube Freezing method. Freezing food is an important step. Thawing the food is the next important step. It’s important to thaw the food “safely.” “Safely” here has two meanings. First, baby food should be thawed in a way which prevents bacterial growth. Baby food should never be thawed at room temperature, and baby food should not be kept at room temperature for more than several minutes. Second, “safely” means thawing baby food so that it is not too hot or too cold to be a danger to your baby. If it’s too hot, it may burn your baby’s mouth. If it is too cold, and therefore not thawed thoroughly, it may contain frozen food chunks that are choking hazards to your baby. Food that is too cold may also “burn” your baby’s sensitive mouth. In thawing food, you simply want to take the chill out of baby’s food, you don’t want to make it hot.
Here are a few ways to safely thaw those frozen baby food cubes:
Thaw Food Cubes on the Stove Top:
Place frozen food cube in a pot and thaw over very low heat stirring often. A double broiler can also be used. This method takes a while so begin to warm the cubes 15 minutes to 1/2 hour before mealtime.
Thaw Food Cubes in the refrigerator:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Be sure to stir insuring that no frozen chunks are left. If you need to warm the food a bit, place container in a larger container with hot tap water.
Thaw Food Cubes In the Microwave:
Many experts recommend avoiding the microwave altogether because of the uneven heating that microwaves are notorious for. It’s a fact that parents use the microwave regardless so, if you are going to use the microwave to thaw, be careful. Place the frozen cubes in a little microwave-safe bowl. With experience you will know exactly how long to thaw a frozen cube, probably between 30 seconds and a minute. Once thawed almost all the way through, mash the remaining cube to even out the temperature.
Here are a few tips to make sure that baby’s food will be safe for baby to eat:
- Stir, stir, stir baby food thoroughly to distribute heat
- Always test the temperature of your baby’s food BEFORE feeding to your baby
- Never re-freeze thawed baby food!
For additional information, check out Super Baby Food and check back with us here at the Super Baby Food blog. Remember to subscribe to our feed to keep up with informative blog posts!