Already Registered?

*Offer benefits may vary. Limit one offer per household.

Personalized information, tips, tools and advice for your child's development

Money saving coupons and checks

Emails & booklets specific to your child's stage

Exclusive partner offers

Products Nutrition & Feeding

Growth & Development Special Offers Shop Now

Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Nutrition Guide

Back to Topic

Healthy Eating

Question

Can I store the leftover baby food back in the fridge?

Answer

Yes, you can refrigerate unused portions of pureed foods, as long as you didn’t feed your baby directly from the package. When feeding your baby, always spoon her portion into a bowl.

When you use a separate dish to feed your child, you can refrigerate what's left in the package and use it within two to three days. If you feed your baby directly from the package, you will transfer bacteria from her saliva to the remaining food, causing bacterial growth. Because of this, you cannot safely store any leftovers for later use.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Close Window

Meet Our Experts

The START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY™ Resource Center panel of experts offers practical advice, answering many questions typically asked by parents and expecting parents.

Lillian M. Beard, M.D. Pediatric Health

Lillian M. Beard, M.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an associate clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national TV programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in the Washington, D.C., area.

José M. Saavedra, M.D., FAAP Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

José M. Saavedra, M.D., a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a pediatric gastroenterologist with long-term experience and expertise in nutrition. Medical and Scientific Director of Nestlé Nutrition North America, Dr. Saavedra is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the Sub-board of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and the American Board of Nutrition. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins-Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. Prenatal Health

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is former chairperson of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies concerned with women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. Food Intolerances

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. is professor of pediatrics emeritus and former head of the pediatric immunology and allergy division at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, California. Professor Hamburger is a consultant and continues as an educator and clinician in the UCSD Free Clinics in San Diego and Tijuana, Baja California.

Poll - Do you still feed your baby cereal? Can I warm my baby’s food in the microwave? What does “USDA-certified organic” mean?