Breast Milk Storage

 

Proper breast milk storage techniques help keep nutrient-rich breast milk safe from contamination and spoiling. Under the right conditions you could store breast milk in containers for up to one year. Having a stockpile of breast milk at your disposal makes it easier for nursing moms to spend a little time separated from their babies without sacrificing quality nutrition.

 

Breast Milk Storage Basics

 

Before you begin pumping or preparing for breast milk storage, you should always wash your hands thoroughly. Milk should only be collected into clean containers. The ideal containers for breast milk storage can be screw cap plastic bottles, glass jars or heavy duty plastic bags designed to fit into nursery bottles. Label the containers in your refrigerator or freezer with the date it was collected and make sure to always use the older milk first.

 

If you provide a child care provider with milk for your baby, make sure to clearly label all containers or bottles with your child’s name and the date.

 

To insure breast milk storage safety, never add fresh milk to frozen milk, and never keep the milk from a used bottle for another feeding.

 

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines

 

Breast milk can safely be left sitting at room temperature for six to eight hours. If the room temperature is lower than 72 degrees Farenheight, it can be left in breast milk storage containers for up to 10 hours. It must be used for the next feeding or thrown away.

 

You can keep breast milk storage containers in the refrigerator for three to eight days. You can safely move refrigerated breast milk to the freezer within eight days, otherwise the milk should immediately be thrown out.

 

Breast milk storage containers can be kept in the freezer for up to four months. You can keep milk frozen in a deep freezer unit for six months to a year.  Once the milk is thawed, it should be fed to baby within 24 hours. If not it you should toss it away. Never refreeze thawed breast milk.

 

Thawing Frozen Milk

 

It’s very important to follow safety guidelines when thawing frozen milk for a feeding. Start by transferring frozen milk to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can thaw milk more quickly by placing the breast milk storage bottle into a bowl of warm water.

 

Never thaw breast milk in the microwave. Microwaves do not heat evenly and extreme heat could destroy vital nutrients or worse, scald your baby.

 

 

Glass or Plastic Breast Milk Storage Containers?

 

Breast milk storage can be done using plastic or glass containers, but which is better?

 

It’s really a matter of preference. Whether you use plastic or glass for your breast milk storage needs, experts say you should only freeze two to four ounces at a time so that you don’t waste as much if your baby doesn’t finish a feeding. Since liquids expand when frozen, be sure to leave an inch or so of space at the top whether you use plastic or glass breast milk storage containers.