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Freezer Before Baby Kit

Two pages to get the freezer ready before the baby comes: my stock-up checklist, a freezer inventory for the door, and labels for every bag.

Print it at home or save the PDF to your phone. The how and why behind every line is in my freezer meals guide.

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PDF, 2 Letter pages. Free, no sign-up needed.

Dad at the Stove · Freezer before baby kit

Stock your freezer before baby: the checklist

  • Clear out the freezer. Eat or toss the mystery bags.
  • Put an appliance thermometer in and make sure it reads 0°F or colder.
  • Stock up on freezer bags, containers, a permanent marker and labels.
  • Pick a handful of recipes you'd happily eat on repeat. Soups, stews and casseroles are easy wins.
  • Don't forget breakfast: bread, smoothie packs and pancakes all freeze.
  • Cook in batches. Cool fast, portion, squeeze out the air.
  • Label every bag: name, date, how to reheat.
  • Freeze flat, then stack.
  • Tape a list to the freezer door. Cross things off as you eat them.
  • Make it easy for anyone to help: reheat instructions on the bag means anyone can make dinner.

Freezer labels

Write on every bag: what it is, the date you froze it, how to reheat it and how many servings.

Example: Chicken soup · 2 servings · Frozen Nov 9 · Thaw in fridge overnight, heat on the stove until it boils.

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

  • What it is

    ServingsFrozen on

    How to reheat

dadatthestove.com/freezer-kit

Dad at the Stove · Freezer before baby kit

What's in the freezer

Tape this to the freezer door and cross things off as you eat them. Use the oldest first: first in, first out.

What it isServingsFrozen onHow to reheat

Food stays safe at 0°F or colder. A cheap appliance thermometer in the freezer tells you for sure.

Food-safety facts from USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (fsis.usda.gov): Freezing and food safety; Leftovers and food safety. National Center for Home Food Preservation (nchfp.uga.edu): Packaging and labeling; How long frozen food keeps.

dadatthestove.com/freezer-kit