This site looks plain and unstyled because you're using a non-standard compliant browser. If you would like to see it in its best form, please upgrade to a browser that supports web standards.


  

Storing Your Breast Milk

What are the proper guidelines for storing breast milk? Breast milk is a living substance. as such, it is essential to store your pumped or expressed milk properly to maximize its nutritional and anti-infective qualities. Human breast milk actually contains anti-bacterial agents that help it to stay fresh. Giving your baby the freshest milk you have pumped or expressed ensures its high quality and effectiveness.

Important Steps BEFORE Storing Milk.

Before Storing your breast milk, don't forget these other important steps:

Step 1: Wash your hands. Bacteria and germs on your hands can get transferred to the inside of the breast pump when you handle it.

Step 2: Pump Directly into Container. When your breast milk begins to flow, it should go directly into a collection container attached to the pump. Most standard-size bottles also will fit on the pump apparatus. If freezing the milk, make sure you leave an inch or so at the top of each bottle, since breast milk expands when frozen.

Step 3: Label each bottle. Immediately after you pump, cap each bottle and label it with the date and time of the pumping session. Use your stored breast milk in order of the oldest expiration date.

Step 4: Clean your breast pump. After each use, wash all the breast pump pieces with soap and hot water, rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. You may be able to use a dishwasher. See Cleaning Your Breast Pump for more information on how to properly clean and care for your breast pump. Also, See How to Use a Breast Pump for our five easy steps on successful breast pumping.

Proper Containers For Storing Breast Milk.

There are several containers available designed specifically for storing breastmilk. These include specially designed plastic bags that can be placed in the frezzer, hardlined plastic or container breast milk storage bottles with well-fitting tops. There are advantages to each. However, disposable bottle liners are not recommended.

  1. If you are going to freeze your breastmilk, leave some space at the top of the container. Breastmilk, like most liquids, expands as it freezes.
  2. When using plastic bags, use those designed specifcally for breastmilk collection.
  3. Mark the date and amount on each container.
  4. Freeze your milk in two ounce to four ounce portions. Smaller amounts thaw quicker, and you will waste less milk if your baby consumes less than you anticipated.
  5. Before storing, fold the top several times and seal with freezer or masking tape.
  6. Place smaller bags in a larger bag to help protect against punctures.
  7. You may continue to add small amounts of cooled breast milk to the same container throughout the day. Chill in the refrigerator until evening. Then, freeze in appropriate amounts.
  8. You may also add to previously frozen milk. First refrigerate all freshly expressed milk until cold, and then add to the frozen milk. The newly added milk must be of a lesser amount than the previously frozen milk.

How Long Can Breast Milk Be Stored?

If you carefully washed your hand before pumpIng or expressing, your breastmilk will be safe for a few hours at room temperature, 68'F. Immediate refrigeration, however, is recommended. You can safely store human breast milk:

  1. at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
  2. in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
  3. in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks
  4. in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
  5. in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

Defrosting and Thawing Breast Milk

To defrost frozen milk:

  1. Place milk in refrigerator the night before you're going to use it. Refrigerator defrosting takes 12 hours.
  2. Place the frozen milk under warm running water or in a pan of warm water. Don't use hot water, as this can destroy some of the milk's immunological components.
  3. Fat in breastmilk will separate and rise to the top. By gently swirling the container, you can mix any fat that may have separated.
  4. Never refreeze thawed breastmilk.
  5. Remember, the color, consistency and odor of you breast milk may vary depending upon your diet.
  6. Discard any breastmilk you don't use during a feeding.

Caution: Never microwave breastmilk! Microwaving breastmilk can change the milk's composition, and has the potential to burn your baby.

References

1Lauwers J. Woesner C: Counseling the Nursing Mother, p. 436.
2Barger J and Bull P: A Comparison of the Bacterial Composition of breastmilk Stored At Room Temperature and Stored in the Refrigerator. Int J Childbirth Educ 2:29-30, 1987
3Instructions from Mothers' Milk Bank at Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, Maria Teresa Asquith, Ronald Cohen, MD.
4Ibid
5Ibid
6Lauwers J. and Woessner C: Counseling the Nursing Mother, second edition, P. 437, 1989
7Renfrew M, Fisher C, and Arm, S: Bestfeeding: Getting Breastfeeding Right for You, p. 5, 1990
8Scipien G, Barnard M. Chard M, Howe J, and1 Phillips P: Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing p. 218. 1975.