Producing more breast milk than your baby needs is a great problem to have. In my experience as a physician, most breastfeeding parents worry about producing too little milk, especially when they start pumping in addition to nursing, so that's why you've more than likely received the advice to never throw out your breast milk, but freeze it instead. Show
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), freshly expressed breast milk can be only safely stored in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) for 4 days. However, fresh breast milk can be stored in the freezer at 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) or colder safely for 6 to 12 months. Breast milk is chock-full of nutrients and antibodies that babies need, but storing that milk improperly can degrade those important properties. Here's what you need to know to keep your liquid gold, well, golden. Where Should I Store Breast Milk?It's hard to believe that milk can stay out of the refrigerator and not go bad, but when it comes to breast milk, it's true. That's because mother's milk is an antibiotic of sorts, capable of killing many bacteria and viruses. If you're storing for longer than a few hours, put the breast milk in a refrigerator or freezer instead. But never keep it in the fridge or freezer door. "It's better to keep it in the back, so it's less exposed to the changing temperature of the door opening and closing," says Kelly A. Hightower, R.N., a certified lactation counselor. Those without access to a fridge—whether it's because of work, travel, or another reason—can store milk in an insulated cooler with ice packs. The Best Breast Pump: A Buyer's Guide for Nursing Mothers How to Store Breast MilkIf you're planning to store breast milk in the fridge or freezer, stock up on screw caps, hard plastic cups with tight caps, or nursing bags (pre-sterilized bags meant for breast milk). Make sure the bottles or bags are closed tightly and securely to prevent leakage or spoilage."Most breast milk storage containers allow up to five ounces, but it's a good idea to have some that contain less. Sometimes your baby will need only two ounces, so there's no need to defrost a larger amount," say Dr. Hightower. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you don't need to chill breast milk before mixing it with milk already in the fridge. "Evidence suggests mothers can mix warm milk and cold, or even consider pooling milk from 24 hours together, which may help even out variability in nutrients due to pumping time or breast emptying (which influences fat content of the milk)." How to Freeze and Unfreeze Breast Milk Safely How Much Breast Milk Should I store?It's easiest if you store your breast milk in amounts that you use at each feeding to avoid wasting it. For example, if your baby consumes 6 ounces in a feeding, put 6 ounces of breast milk in the storage container. How Long Does Breast Milk Last?Write the date on the bottles or bags so that you can be sure not to use any expired milk. The general rule is that breast milk can be stored:
If you have defrosted breast milk in your refrigerator, Hightower recommends using it within 24 to 48 hours. And if you've got a deep freezer, your breast milk can likely last up to a year. "It's not that your milk will go bad and make your baby ill if it's in the freezer longer. But its nutritional qualities will be diminished," Hightower says. Whether you're going back to work, want to have your partner help with feedings, or want to make sure you have breastmilk for your baby if you are away for a few hours, you will need to pump and store your breastmilk. Get tips on pumping your milk and storing it safely. Pumping your breastmilkIf you are unable to breastfeed your baby directly, make sure to pump during the times your baby would normally eat. This will help you to continue making milk. Before you pump, wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. Make sure the area where you are pumping and your pump parts and bottles are clean. You do not need to wash your breasts and nipples before pumping. If you need help to get your milk to start flowing without your baby there, you can:
Pumping: Ways to express your milk by hand or pumpWays to express your milk by hand or pump Type How it works What's involved Average cost Hand expression You use your hand to squeeze and press on your breast to remove milk.
Free Manual pump You use your hand and wrist to operate a hand-held device to pump the milk.
$30 to $50* Electric breast pump Runs on battery or plugs into an electrical outlet.
$150 to over $250* * You can rent an electric pump from a lactation consultant at a local hospital or from a breastfeeding organization. This type of pump works well for creating a milk supply when a new baby can't feed at the breast. Mothers who have struggled with other pumping methods may find that these pumps work well for them. Most insurance plans must cover the cost of a breast pump. You may be offered a rental or a new one for you to keep. Your plan may provide guidance on whether the covered pump is manual or electric, how long the coverage of a rented pump lasts, and when they'll provide the pump (before or after you have the baby). Learn more about your breastfeeding benefits at HealthCare.gov and talk to your insurance company to learn their specific policies on breast pumps. Storage of breastmilkAfter each pumping, you can:
When storing breastmilk, use breastmilk storage bags, which are made for freezing human milk. You can also use clean glass or hard BPA-free plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. Do not use containers with the recycle number 7, which may contain BPA. Do not use disposable bottle liners or other plastic bags to store breastmilk. Storage bottles or bags to refrigerate or freeze your breastmilk also qualify as tax-deductible breastfeeding gear. Most insurance plans must cover breastfeeding supplies, such as storage bags, in addition to breast pumps. Call your insurance company to learn more. View our guide to storing fresh breastmilk or learn tips for freezing milk. Storage: Tips for freezing milk
Storage: Tips for thawing and warming up milk
Guide to storing fresh breastmilk for use with healthy, full-term babiesGuide to storing fresh breastmilk for use with healthy, full-term babies Place Temperature How long Things to know Countertop, table Room temperature (up to 77°F) Up to 4 hours Containers should be covered and kept as cool as possible. Covering the container with a clean cool towel may keep milk cooler. Throw out any leftover milk within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. Refrigerator 40°F Up to 4 days Store milk in the back of the refrigerator. When at work, it's OK to put breastmilk in a shared refrigerator. Be sure to label the container clearly. Freezer 0°F or colder Within 6 months is best. Up to 12 months is acceptable. Store milk toward the back of the freezer where the temperature is most constant. Milk stored at 0°F or colder is safe for longer durations, but the quality of the milk might not be as high. Source: Adapted from 7th Edition American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Nutrition Handbook (2014); 2nd Edition AAP/American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Breastfeeding Handbook for Physicians (2014); Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Clinical Protocol #8 Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants (2017); CDC Human Milk Storage Guidelines (2018). Guide to storing thawed breastmilk
Room temperature Refrigerator Freezer Thawed breastmilk 1 to 2 hours Up to 1 day (24 hours) Do not refreeze. Source: Adapted from ABM Clinical Protocol #8 Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants (2017). Did we answer your question about pumping and storing breastmilk?For more information about pumping and storing breastmilk, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations: What can I store breast milk if I don't have bags for it?You can store breast milk for months at a time by freezing it or for a few days in your fridge. Milk can be stored in glass containers, clear plastic containers that do not contain BPA or in bags specifically designed to store your milk.
How can I preserve my breast milk at home?Storage of breastmilk. Keep milk at room temperature. Breastmilk is OK for up to 4 hours after pumping at room temperature (up to 77°F).. Refrigerate it. Breastmilk is OK in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.. Place milk in the freezer. ... . Use cooler packs.. Can I store breast milk in a plastic water bottle?How Do I Store My Breast Milk? You can freeze and/or refrigerate your pumped (or expressed) breast milk. Store it in clean bottles with screw caps, hard plastic cups that have tight caps, or nursing bags (pre-sterilized bags meant for breast milk).
How can I keep breast milk cold without a refrigerator?If you don't have a refrigerator available at work, the best way to store breast milk is with the combination of special containers designed for holding milk, waterproof labels, ice packs, and insulated coolers. Containers, labels, coolers, and ice packs.
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