Breast milk is the best food for your baby, according to the Mayo Clinic. It contains high-quality, balanced nutrients to boost your baby’s immune system. Pumping breast milk allows mothers who spend time away from their babies to continue to provide this optimal food. To ensure the freshness and quality of breast milk, mothers and other caregivers need to follow storage and handling guidelines.
Storage Containers
Store breast milk in glass containers, bisphenol A-free plastic containers or milk storage bags designed for freezing human milk, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center. Wash all containers thoroughly in hot soapy water and, ideally, allow them to air dry before using them. Do not use normal plastic bags or disposable bottle liners, since these are not as durable and may contaminate your milk. Store milk in small serving sizes to reduce waste if your baby does not drink all of it.
Storage Locations and Duration
Always label the date on a container before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Breast milk should ideally be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months, according to La Leche League International. It is acceptable, however, to store milk in the refrigerator for up to eight days, or in the freezer for up to 12 months. You can leave breast milk at room temperature for, ideally, up to four hours or, acceptably, up to six hours. You can also store breast milk in a common refrigerator, such as at a workplace or childcare center.
Thawing Milk
To thaw frozen breast milk, let the it defrost in the refrigerator, or leave it on the counter until it reaches room temperature. You can also thaw the milk by running it under cold water, and then warm water, or by allowing it to sit in a pan of warm water. You can keep thawed milk in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not refreeze it once you have thawed it.
Heating Milk
If your baby prefers heated milk, warm it by running the container or bag under warm water, or let it sit in a pan of warm water. Never heat milk directly on the stove or in the microwave. Microwaving can destroy some of the valuable nutrients in your milk, according to Family Doctor.org.
Serving Milk
Always wash your hands before handling breast milk. If you warmed the milk, test the temperature by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, but not hot. If your baby does not drink all of the milk you’ve prepared, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends discarding that milk.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians’ FamilyDoctor.org Website: How to Pump and Store Your Breast Milk
- National Women’s Health Information Center: Pumping and Storage
- La Leche League International: What are the LLLI Guidelines for Storing My Pumped Milk?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk
- MayoClinic.com: Breast-feeding vs. Formula-feeding: What’s Best?
