Breast milk storage

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrients for a new born baby which is why it is so important that you store it appropriately to ensure your baby receives the best milk possible. There are several different methods of breast milk storage.

After pumping your breast milk you can feed it to the baby right away, put it in the refrigerator or freeze it for later. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Breast milk that is stored in a refrigerator can last for about one week and breast milk that is frozen can last about 4 months. Breast milk can also be refrigerated in a portable container if you are pumping at the office or somewhere not near a refrigerator. But it should be transferred to a refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.

Freezing breast milk is a great idea because then the milk will be available whenever it is needed. It makes it easy for a caregiver to feed the baby and is great for those times when a mother is unable to breast feed the baby due to time constraints or other things. Special plastic bags are available for freezing breast milk and can be purchased online, at the grocery store or at specialty stores. These bags are free of chemicals so that they will not affect the milk. They are also airtight to ensure freshness. It is important to write the date that the milk was pumped on the bag. The oldest breast milk should be used first. When freezing the milk, make sure to leave a little room in the bag as it will expand when it defrosts and the milk will spill over if it is filled to the top. The bags are small and hold about 4 oz. of milk which makes them easy to store and the perfect serving size for the baby. When freezing the milk press the bag flat for more storage room. The flattened bags can be placed side by side in the freezer. It is not recommended to store the milk bags on the door of the freezer as it will affect the temperature as the door is opened and closed often.

Frozen breast milk can be defrosted by placing the frozen bag in a bowl or cup of warm water for 15 minutes. Do NOT microwave breast milk. When microwaving breast milk you run the risk of overheating it and burning your baby's mouth. Microwaving breast milk can also affect the milk's proteins. Occasionally thawed breast milk can have a strange smell but it is not harmful to the baby.

Breast milk can differ in coloration so don't worry if it's not perfectly white. Breast milk can be yellowish or brownish and can also vary in smell and texture. The milk may also separate with the fat resting on the top. If this happens, simply shake before serving.

Safely storing breast milk is as important as the milk itself. Milk that is not stored properly will quickly go bad and make your baby sick. The easiest way to avoid this is to make sure to refrigerate or freeze breast milk as soon as you have pumped it. Healthy breast milk will lead to a healthy, happy baby.

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