How to Store Breast Milk?
You might be considering using a breast pump if you’re nursing and returning to work or seeking additional flexibility. It’s also critical to understand how to preserve and be aware of the best way to store breastmilk in freezer once you begin pumping properly. Take into account these storage recommendations for breast milk.
What Container to Use to Store Breast Milk?
Wash your hands with soap and water before expressing or handling breast milk. Then, keep the expressed milk in a clean, covered hard plastic or glass container made without the chemical bisphenol A. (BPA). You can also use particular plastic bags made for collecting and storing milk. Never keep breast milk in plastic bags or disposable bottle liners intended for everyday home usage.
Best Way to Store Expressed Breast Milk
Put the date you expressed the breast milk on each jar using waterproof labels and ink. Include your baby’s name on the label if you are storing expressed milk at a childcare facility. The cooler part of the refrigerator or freezer is the back, so put the containers there. Store the milk temporarily in an insulated cooler with ice packs if you don’t have access to a refrigerator or freezer.
Your infant will need enough milk in each container for one feeding. Starting with 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 millilitres) may be a good place to start. Additionally, you might want to save smaller portions—1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 millilitres)—for unforeseen circumstances or delays in scheduled feedings. Don’t fill containers to the brink because breast milk swells as it freezes.
How To Add Freshly Expressed Breast Milk to Already Stored Milk?
Frozen or chilled milk can be topped over with freshly extracted breast milk. However, before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk, properly cool the freshly extracted breast milk in the fridge or a cooler with ice packs. Warm breast milk should not be added to frozen breast milk since doing so will allow the frozen milk to partially defrost.
How Long Can You Store Your Expressed Milk?
The matter of how long you can store your expressed breast milk relies on the storage method used. There are these four suggestions to follow when storing breast milk in the freezer. These four guidelines include the room temperature, the insulated cooler, refrigerator and deep freezer. First and foremost let us discuss how to store expressed breast milk at room temperature. Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours. It is best to use or carefully store the breast milk within four hours if the environment is warm. Next, freshly expressed breast milk can be refrigerated in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to a day. Third, freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at the back of the refrigerator for up to four days in a sterile environment. The milk should ideally be consumed within three days or frozen. Lastly, if you are to freeze the freshly expressed breast milk in the back of a deep freezer, freshly extracted breast milk can be stored for up to 12 months. The milk should be used as soon as possible, ideally within six months.
