Guide to Abiie® Dishware: How to Safely Reheat and Store Baby Leftovers

Main Takeaways

• Store leftovers for 1 to 2 days in food-safe baby dishware, like our Octopod® silicone bowls with lids at Abiie®.
• You can reheat leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave directly in your silicone dishware, which are designed to be microwave-safe.
• Do not keep previously reheated food or leftovers from dishes your baby has eaten from.

You’ve already made the switch to eco-friendly baby products. So, it’s perfectly understandable that you don’t want to unnecessarily create waste. Plus, storing leftovers is a great way to save time and reduce food waste during baby weaning.

However, there are a few simple hygiene rules to follow when it comes to storing and reheating baby leftovers. After all, your baby’s immune system isn’t as developed as ours. They may be more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria. 

Learn more about how to safely reheat and store food in your dishware from Abiie®.

What Baby Leftovers Can I Store?

“Make once, eat twice” is an excellent motto for feeding your baby and the whole family. But it’s important to remember that not everything can be stored and reheated. 

✓ DO Reheat	X DO NOT Reheat
Homemade purees and mashes Batch-cooked meals Store-bought baby food	Previously reheated food Food left at room temperature for over 2 hours Food that’s been defrosted for 24+ hours Any leftovers from the spoon/bowl your baby was fed from

Unsure of whether your food can be stored? Can’t remember how long it’s been in the fridge? When in doubt, throw it out!

How to Store Your Baby’s Leftovers

Use Baby-Safe Containers

Make sure to store your leftovers in airtight glass, BPA-free plastic, or silicone containers, such as our Octopod® baby plates and bowls with lids at Abiie®. 

Made from 100% food-safe silicone, our dishware is not only BPA-free but also phthalate-, lead, and PVC-free. They also conform to both US and EU safety standards. This means no harmful chemicals will leach into your child’s food, making them among the best baby food storage containers.

Freeze Homemade Purees in Ice Cube Trays

If you’re making your own purees, you can freeze them in silicone ice cube trays. Simply spoon your puree, cover it with freezer-safe plastic wrap, and freeze. Ice cube trays create convenient 1-ounce portions for your baby.

You can transfer these small portions into a freezer bag for safe storage.

Refrigerate Within 2 Hours

Always refrigerate prepared food within 2 hours. This applies to all ages, not just babies and toddlers. 

Leaving food out too long causes it to reach temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, which the USDA calls the “Danger Zone.” This is when bacteria grows most rapidly and can cause illness.

Store Leftovers for 1 to 2 Days

You should only store homemade food in your silicone bowls with lids for 1 to 2 days. It doesn’t go through pasteurization like store-bought foods, so it can spoil faster. Store your leftovers in freezer-safe bags or containers if you don’t think you’ll use your leftovers within a day or so.

Storing store-bought baby food? You can keep any open fruit and veggie jars in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Meat purees are good for 1 day. But remember: If your little one was fed directly from the jar, it should be discarded for food safety.

How to Safely Reheat Baby Leftovers

Heat in the Microwave or on the Stovetop

You have two options for reheating your leftovers: the microwave or stovetop.

How to Heat Leftovers in a Microwave 

Our silicone bowls and divided plates with lids at Abiie® are the best baby dishes because they can be safely used in the microwave. 

Heat your baby’s food in 15-second intervals on high power, stirring between intervals. Continue to heat their food at 15-second intervals until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F – not just until it’s warm. Heating food to 165°F helps reduce harmful bacteria.

Allow their food to cool before serving.

How to Heat Leftovers on Your Stovetop

Place the food in a saucepan over low heat. Stir the food continuously over heat until it reaches its safe internal temperature. Let it cool and serve.

Thaw Frozen Food in the Refrigerator, Not at Room Temperature

Reheating frozen leftovers? Thaw it by transferring it to the refrigerator. This helps ensure your little one’s food remains at a safe, constant temperature. This can take anywhere between 4 and 12 hours, so you’ll need to plan ahead. 

Short on time? You can also thaw leftovers in the microwave on the defrost setting or at a low power setting. 

Throw Away Any Food That’s Been Reheated

While you can reheat leftovers more than once (if they’re heated to 165°F), it’s best to only reheat leftovers once. That’s because repeatedly cooling and reheating food allows bacteria to grow. This may increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. 

So, once you’ve heated a puree or homemade meal, discard any remaining food.

Easily Travel With Your Leftovers With Abiie®

Our Octopod® dishware is designed for more than just mealtimes in your baby’s wooden high chair. It’s also ideal for on-the-go use. Our silicone bowls and plates both come with lids, helping to keep your child’s food secure until they’re ready to eat.

You can make eating on the go even easier (and less messy!) with our Ruby Wrapp® silicone baby bib. Our patented EZ-Wrap and BIB-LOCK folds and secures the bib for compact, sanitary storage and travel. You can even store utensils in its built-in pocket after wrapping.

Make Reheating Simple

Simplify your food storage and reheating with Abiie®. Our lidded baby dishware is not only designed with a suction base but can be reheated in the microwave for quick, easy mealtimes. Try out our baby gear today.