The storage and preparation of breast milk is quite simple but there are some important guidelines to follow before you begin.
Storing Breast Milk
Breast milk is best stored in glass or plastic bottles with tight fitting lids to reduce the risk of contamination. Storage bags can be used but occasionally milk will stick to the inside of the bags or they will get torn if storing milk in the freezer. All equipment used in the collection and storage of your breast milk should be properly cleaned and sterilized.
Labeling Breast Milk
All breast milk that is stored should be labeled with the date and time that it was collected. It is important to use the earliest dated milk first. You might choose to label stored milk with your baby’s name if you are bringing the bottles or bags of milk to a sitter or daycare center.
The Amount to Store
It is usually best to store breast milk in 2-4 ounce servings. In each bottle only store the amount that you know your baby will consume during a single feeding. By storing breast milk in smaller quantities it will reduce the amount of wasted milk.
Breast Milk Freshness
Breast milk can be stored using the following guidelines:
- At room temperature for up to 8 hours
- In the refrigerator for up to 8 days
- In the refrigerator freezer for up to 1 month (stored at the back of freezer)
- In a deep freeze for 3-6 months
Thawing Frozen Breast Milk
Frozen breast milk should be thawed using one of two methods:
- Place in a refrigerator
- Submerse a sealed bottle or bag in warm water
If the milk was frozen in storage bags there is a possibility that the bag might have been damaged and the milk contaminated. If thawing the milk in warm water, you will be able to determine if the bag was damaged because the water will turn cloudy. If thawing the milk in a refrigerator, check to see if there are any spills from the bag leaking.
Caution: Breast milk that has been previously frozen should be used within 24 hours and never refrozen.
Heating Breast Milk
Cooled milk should never be heated in a microwave oven because the intense heat can destroy the beneficial nutrients in the milk. Microwave ovens might also heat the milk unevenly resulting in dangerous hot spots. The best way to heat breast milk is to run the bottle under hot water from the tap. Breast milk should be swirled around in the bottle to distribute the heat during warming. It is very important to ensure that no water is introduced into the bottle during the warming process as it will contaminate the milk.
Caution: Regardless of how you choose to heat the milk, the temperature should always be tested by dripping a small amount of milk onto a sensitive spot on your own skin such as the inside of your wrist prior to feeding your baby.
Breast Milk Color and Texture
Breast milk may not always be white in color. A blue, pink, or yellow hue is quite normal and does not indicate a problem with the milk. When breast milk is stored, it may separate into layers. Simply shaking the bottle will allow the fatty cream layer to blend back in with the rest of the milk.
Leftover Breast Milk
If your baby does not finish an entire bottle it is best to discard any unused milk because bacteria is introduced into the bottle from your baby’s mouth.
Pumping and storing breast milk is an effective way to ensure you always have a nutritious and convenient meal available for your baby when you are not available to breast feed. With proper storage and preparation you can ensure that each meal your baby is fed will be safe and fresh.
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