What is the proper way to store breast milk?

Contents

The prudent method for preserving breast milk entails employing immaculate bottles or dedicated storage bags crafted exclusively for this purpose. The optimal storage location resides within the depths of the refrigerator, eschewing the less favorable door compartment, whilst maintaining a frigid temperature of 4°C (39°F) or below.

So let us dig a little deeper

The proper way to store breast milk is essential to maintain its nutritional value and safety for your baby. Follow these guidelines for proper storage and handling:

Choose appropriate storage containers: Use clean, BPA-free bottles or dedicated storage bags designed for storing breast milk. These containers should be sterilized before use to ensure proper hygiene.
Label and date the containers: Always label each container with the date of expression to ensure you use the oldest milk first. This practice helps prevent wastage and ensures the freshness of the milk.
Maintain cleanliness: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling breast milk to prevent any contamination. Additionally, clean the containers and pumping equipment properly after each use to maintain hygiene.
Store in the refrigerator: For short-term storage (up to 48 hours), store breast milk in the main body of the refrigerator, rather than the door compartment. The ideal temperature for storage is 4°C (39°F) or below, ensuring the milk remains fresh.
Freeze for long-term storage: If you don’t plan to use the expressed milk within 48 hours, freezing is the best option. Breast milk can be stored in a freezer for up to six months, although using it within three months is recommended to maintain nutritional quality. Place the containers towards the back of the freezer, where the temperature is more consistent.
Thawing and warming: To thaw frozen breast milk, transfer the container to the refrigerator overnight or place it in a bowl of warm water. Avoid using a microwave as it can heat the milk unevenly and destroy some of its beneficial components. After thawing, gently swirl the milk to mix any separated fat and then warm it by placing the container in a bowl of warm water.
Avoid refreezing thawed milk: It is important to note that once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen. Instead, use it within 24 hours. This is because freezing and thawing milk multiple times may lead to a loss of some of the milk’s protective properties.

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In the words of the renowned American pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, “Breast milk is the gold standard. It is a living fluid containing all the nutrients and immune factors a baby needs, providing both nutrition and protection.” Breast milk is a precious resource that requires careful storage and handling to ensure its quality remains intact.

Interesting facts about breast milk storage:

Breast milk can separate into layers when stored. Gently swirling the milk or warming it can easily mix the separated fat layer back in.
Breast milk stored at room temperature may remain safe for up to four hours. However, if the temperature is warm or the room is not air-conditioned, it is best to refrigerate it within two hours.
The smell and taste of breast milk may vary due to the mother’s diet, medications, or any stored odors. However, these variations are usually harmless and do not affect its nutritional quality.
Breast milk can also be stored in specialized breast milk storage systems, such as trays with individual compartments designed to freeze breast milk conveniently.

Here is a simple table summarizing the breast milk storage guidelines:

Storage Method	Temperature	Duration
Refrigerator	4°C (39°F) or below	Up to 48 hours
Freezer (Compartment)	-18°C (0°F)	Up to 6 months
Freezer (Separate)	-18°C (0°F)	Up to 12 months

Remember, always trust your instincts and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or specific questions about breast milk storage.

Video response

The video discusses the safe storage of breast milk after pumping. It suggests storing the milk in plastic or glass bottles or sterile sealable bags and placing them in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. It advises matching the amount of milk stored to what the baby will consume in a feeding session and provides guidelines for storing breast milk at different temperatures. Proper labeling is emphasized to prevent waste and spoilage. It warns against refreezing thawed breast milk and recommends only storing as much milk as the child will consume within a day. The importance of properly storing breast milk is highlighted for working mothers and their babies.

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Other methods of responding to your inquiry

Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored:

At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours.

In the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.

These topics will undoubtedly pique your attention

Can I put breast milk back in fridge after baby drinks from it?

In reply to that: It is not safe to reuse breast milk that has been left out longer than 2 hours. Dispose of it if this is the case. Breast milk should never be re-refrigerated or re-frozen.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

Scientists have proven that temperature does not affect the nutritional composition of milk, babies can drink cold milk. It’s actually not as important as using the right mix of water and formula (bottle-fed babies) and properly storing breast milk (breastfed babies).

Can I store breast milk in feeding bottle?

Response: Be sure to store breast milk in clear plastic bottles. Never use bottles that may have BPA in them (avoid bottles with the recycle symbol 7). Freezer bags specially designed for breast milk storage: Storage bags are another choice for freezing your breast milk.

Do you store breast milk upright or flat?

In general, place storage bags upright in another container or the milk may leak. But if the double zipper seal on the breastmilk storage bag is reliable, laying the bag flat in the freezer will help the milk thaw faster later..

How long should breast milk be stored in a freezer?

The Academy recommends storing breast milk for three to six months if frozen in a deep freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or below. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America says milk can be stored under such conditions for up to a year, although less than three months is preferred.

How long can breast milk sit out at room temperature?

Response will be: “Breast milk can safely stand at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours and need not be discarded if the first feeding attempt is incomplete. In contrast, formula must be refrigerated and discarded after the first feeding attempt because it contains no antibodies or infection protection factors.”

Why is breastmilk better than Formula?

Breast milk is actually easier to digest for a baby than formula, and so the baby is able to absorb more nutrients through breastfeeding than they would through formula. Breast milk also contains natural antibodies to help build up the immunity of the baby and protect the child from various problems, such as gastrointestinal distress.

How long should breast milk be stored in a freezer?

The response is: The Academy recommends storing breast milk for three to six months if frozen in a deep freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or below. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America says milk can be stored under such conditions for up to a year, although less than three months is preferred.

How long can breast milk sit out at room temperature?

Why is breastmilk better than Formula?

Answer will be: Breast milk is actually easier to digest for a baby than formula, and so the baby is able to absorb more nutrients through breastfeeding than they would through formula. Breast milk also contains natural antibodies to help build up the immunity of the baby and protect the child from various problems, such as gastrointestinal distress.