Food storage - storing leftover baby food & formula - Illustration

Pediatrics for Parents, Jan, 1992

What do you do when there is left over baby food? Most parents put it in the refrigerator for use later on. Many wonder how long baby food, breast milk, and formula can be refrigerated or frozen. The table below reflects the latest recommendations of the US Department of Agriculture.

Food                            Refrigerator      Freezer
Liquids
Expressed Breast Milk              5 days       3 to 4 months
Formula                            2 days       not recommended
Whole Milk                         5 days       3 months
Reconstituted Evaporated
Milk                            3 to 5 days     not recommended
Solids
   opened or freshly made
Strained fruits and vegetables
                                2 to 3 days     6 to 8 months
Strained meats and eggs            1 day        1 to 2 months
Meat/vegetable combinations
                                1 to 2 days     1 to 2 months
Homemade baby food              1 to 2 days     3 to 4 months
Food News for Consumers, p.9. Winter, 92