You don't have to feed your baby breast milk directly from your breast to give her all its benefits. If you have to take medication, go on a trip or want to have enough of a milk supply stored up to stop pumping, freezing is a good option. You can safely store breast milk in the freezer for two weeks up to a whole year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The length of time you freeze it depends on the type of freezer you have and its ability to maintain consistent temperatures.
Step 1
Pump or express breast milk into a sterile milk storage bottle or milk storage freezer bag.
Step 2
Leave 1 to 2 inches of air at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Seal the bag or bottle tightly, and check for gaps or leaks.
Step 3
Wipe off the outside of the bottle or bag to remove any spilled or leaked milk residue. Label the containers with the date the milk was pumped or expressed, and freeze it within a few hours.
Step 4
Store your milk in the back of your freezer, not on the door, for up to six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Store the milk in a deep freeze with a consistent minus 4-degree temperature for up to one year. Store the milk for only two weeks if you have a freezer slot inside your refrigerator, as opposed to a separate freezer space with its own door.
Step 5
Defrost the milk by placing it in the refrigerator for one to two days before use, or by placing it in a bowl and pouring warm water on top of it. Avoid defrosting on the stove or in the microwave because you could both scald your baby and damage the delicate milk.
Things You'll Need
- Milk storage bags or bottles
- Freezer
