Back in July, a report was made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about a preemie who died after contracting Cronobacter sakazakii infection which caused her to develop sepsis, spastic cerebral palsy, and global developmental delay.
It was found that bacteria were traces from the breast pump, breast milk, and kitchen sink. The mom reported soaking the breast pump in soapy water and rinsing them five hours later without scrubbing or sanitizing.
The emphasis made here is that it pays to be OC, especially with your childcare. Aside from washing your hands thoroughly before and after feeding your baby and cleaning his stuff, there are other safety precautions that have to be kept in mind for baby milk and food.
“Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off foodborne bacterial infections,” said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Remember these tips from FDA’s baby food safety guide when preparing, storing, and transporting baby milk or food.
1. Get Only What You Need
If you are to feed your baby food from a jar, scoop out the serving size and put in a separate bowl. Do not feed directly from the jar and leave the rest to in the fridge. “Saliva on the spoon may contaminate the remaining food,” says the FDA. Throw any leftovers from your baby’s bowl.
2. Follow Safety Storage Instructions
Baby food especially the ones coming from a jar should not stay in the fridge for too long. Label the food with date so you know how long it can stay there. The chart below should help you out:
| SOLIDS – Opened Or Freshly Made | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| 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 foods | 1 to 2 days | 3 to 4 months |
Baby food in bulk should be stored in the freezer. You can portion them out using ice cube tray and cover it with plastic wrap then freeze. Transfer the cubes into an airtight container and label it with date once frozen.
3. Do Not Leave Anything At Room Temperature For A Long Time
If your baby’s milk or food has been out at room temperature for too long, do not feed it to your baby anymore. “Harmful bacteria can grow rapidly in food at room temperature,” says the FDA.
4. Do Not Put Honey Or Star Anise On Abby Food Or Liquid
According to FDA, honey isn’t safe for children less than 1 year old because it contains Clostridium botulinum organism that can cause serious illness or death. Star anise, particularly brewed teas flavored with spice cause serious neurological effects in babies with symptoms like vomiting, jitteriness and rapid eye movement.
5. Follow Proper Ways Of Reheating Milk And Baby Good
There are a couple of ways to keep baby milk or food warm. First, run the bottle under running hot water for a few minutes. You may also want to heat water in a pan, remove it from the stove and put the bottle in the water until it’s warm. After warming the bottle, shake it to make sure the temperature is distributed evenly. Do not heat in the microwave since it creates “hot spots” in the liquid that can burn your baby’s mouth and throat.
FDA recommends heating solid food by placing a serving size in a dish in the microwave and setting the timer for 15 seconds. Remember, do not microwave baby food in a jar. Stir the food to even out the temperature and let it stand for 30 seconds before taste-test.
6. Transport Baby Food And Milk In A Cooler
“Cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying, says the FDA. When you are out or traveling with your baby, keep milk and food in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs especially if you have breast milk.
7. Do Not Make More Formula Than You Need
Although not very common, parents should be aware not to make big batches of formula milk. Having a large quantity of anything can cause bacteria to breed in which makes it easier for them to multiply. “The more bacteria there are, the greater the chances for foodborne illness,” said the FDA.
