Breast Milk is packed with essential nutrients that support your baby’s growth and development. For many parents, storing breastmilk becomes necessary, whether due to work, health reasons, or convenience. To ensure that your baby benefits from all the goodness breastmilk offers, it’s crucial to store it properly. A comprehensive guide on storing breastmilk safely and effectively.

Why is Proper Storing Breast Milk Important?

Breastmilk is a living fluid, containing live cells, enzymes, and immune-boosting components. Properly storing breastmilk helps maintain its nutritional and health benefits. Proper storage ensures that it remains safe for your baby to consume, minimizing the risk of contamination and spoilage.

How to Store Freshly Expressed Breastmilk?

You can store breastmilk in different containers based on how soon you intend to use it.

a.Storage Containers

• Breastmilk Storage Bags: Specially designed for storing breastmilk, these bags are pre-sterilized, space-efficient, and convenient for freezing.
• Glass or BPA-Free Plastic Containers: Use clean, food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids. Avoid using regular plastic bags or containers not meant for breastmilk, as they may leach chemicals or burst during freezing.
• Avoid bottles with the recycle symbol number 7

b.Labelling

Always label the container with the date and time you expressed the milk. This helps you use the oldest milk first and track how long the milk has been stored.

Storing Fresh Breast Milk

Here’s a quick reference for storing freshly expressed breastmilk:

• Do not store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. 
• If you don’t think you will use freshly expressed breast milk within 4 days, freeze it immediately.
• Keep breast milk in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to 24 hours while traveling, then use it, refrigerate it, or freeze it upon arrival.

Freezing Breastmilk: Best Practices

Freezing breastmilk is a practical option for long-term storage, but it’s important to follow some guidelines to maintain its quality.

a.How to Freeze Breastmilk

• Freeze milk in small portions (2-4 ounces or 60-120ml) to avoid wasting any. Small amounts thaw faster, and you can combine portions if your baby needs more.
• Leave space (about one inch) at the top of storage bags or containers, as breast milk expands when frozen.
• Place breastmilk bags flat in the freezer to maximize storage space. Once frozen, you can stand the bags upright.

b. Avoid Refreezing Thawed Breastmilk

Once breastmilk has been thawed, it should not be refrozen. Freezing and thawing multiple times can degrade the milk’s quality and reduce its beneficial properties.

c.How to Thaw and Warm Breast Milk?

When it’s time to use stored breastmilk, it’s important to thaw and warm it correctly to retain its nutrients.

a.Thawing Breastmilk

• In the Refrigerator: Place the container in the fridge overnight. Thawed milk can stay in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• In Warm Water: Hold the container under warm running water or place it in a bowl of warm water. Do not use hot water, as it can destroy the milk’s nutrients.

b. Warming Breast Milk

• Warm the milk by placing the container in a bowl of warm water or lukewarm water. Do not microwave breastmilk, as it can cause uneven heating and destroy vital nutrients.
• Before feeding, swirl (don’t shake) the milk to mix in the fat that may have separated. Always test the temperature on your wrist to ensure it’s not too hot for your baby.

Safety Tips for Handling Breast Milk

• Wash Hands and Clean Equipment: Always wash your hands before expressing, handling, or storing breastmilk. Ensure that all storage containers and breast pump parts are clean and sterilized.
• Use Oldest Milk First: Follow the “first in, first out” rule. Use the milk that has been stored the longest to ensure your baby always gets the freshest milk.
• Check for Spoilage: Thawed breastmilk can sometimes smell or taste soapy or metallic due to lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats. This is normal and usually not harmful to your baby. However, if the milk smells sour or rancid, it may have spoiled and should be discarded.
• Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.

FAQs on Storing Breastmilk

Storing breast milk can raise many questions for new parents, from how long it can be kept at room temperature to the best way to freeze and thaw it. In this FAQ section, we answer common concerns to help you safely store breast milk, ensuring your baby continues to receive its full nutritional benefits whether you’re at home or on the go.

Q: Can I combine freshly expressed milk with already cooled or frozen milk?

• Yes, you can combine freshly expressed milk with cooled or frozen milk, but it’s best to cool the fresh milk first in the refrigerator before adding it to the already chilled or frozen milk.

Q: How do I know if stored breast milk is still good?

• Properly stored breast milk usually has a sweet, mild smell. If it smells sour or has an off odor, it’s best to discard it.

Q: Can I refreeze breastmilk if my baby doesn’t finish a bottle?

• No, any leftover milk from a feeding should be used within 2 hours. Refreezing is not recommended.

 Q: What are the benefits of storing breast milk?

• Storing breast milk allows parents to maintain flexibility, ensuring their baby can be fed even when they are away. It helps preserve the milk’s nutrients, supports long-term feeding, and offers convenience for night feedings or when returning to work.

Q:Is it worth storing breast milk?

• Yes, storing breast milk is worth it as it provides convenience, flexibility, and ensures your baby has access to nutritious breast milk even when you’re not available to nurse. It also helps maintain your milk supply over time.

Q:How long can I store breast milk in the fridge?

• You can store breast milk in the fridge for up to 4 days at 4°C (40°F) or lower. Be sure to keep it in clean, sealed containers and place it in the back of the fridge for optimal freshness.

Q:Is stored breast milk good for babies?

• Yes, stored breast milk is good for babies. It retains most of its nutrients and immune-boosting properties, making it a healthy option as long as it’s stored and handled properly.

Conclusion

Storing breast milk correctly ensures that your baby gets all the nutrients and immune-boosting properties it provides. Whether you’re storing breastmilk at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, always follow safe handling and storage practices. Remember, every drop of breastmilk counts, so store it with care!