Everything You Need to Know About Storing Breast Milk
Storing breast milk properly is crucial but can be complicated. Here’s a complete guide to help you understand how long breast milk can be stored, how to freeze it, and how to thaw and feed it to your baby safely. Improper storage can lead to wasted milk and even potential harm to your baby, so following these guidelines is key.
How Long Can Breast Milk Be Stored at Room Temperature?
Dr. Deborah Campbell, a neonatologist at Montefiore Children’s Hospital in New York, states that freshly expressed breast milk can be safely stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours. If the milk has been at room temperature for more than 4 hours, it should be discarded.
If you know you won’t use the milk within 4 hours and your baby hasn’t drunk from it yet, it’s best to refrigerate it.
How Long Can Breast Milk Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. During this time, the fat, digestive enzymes, and infection-fighting components in the milk are at their optimal levels, making it a great option for your baby.
For best results, store the milk in the back of the fridge, not in the door, as the temperature fluctuates more at the door. Ziplock-style breast milk storage bags are a great option for neatly organizing the milk in shelves, compartments, or drawers. These bags are one of the most important items on your newborn essentials list.
How Long Can Breast Milk Be Stored in an Insulated Cooler?
If you’re traveling and need to carry a bottle or bag of breast milk, you can safely store it in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to 24 hours.
How Long Can Breast Milk Be Stored in the Freezer?
If you don’t plan to use the milk within 4 days of refrigeration, it’s important to freeze it within 24 hours after expression. Breast milk can be stored in the freezer (in the freezer compartment of a fridge) for 3 to 6 months.
For best results, store milk in the back of the freezer where the temperature remains the most consistent. If you have a deep freezer or a stand-alone freezer, you can store milk for up to a year. Even if it’s slightly past the 1-year mark, you might still be able to use the milk in ways you hadn’t considered—just be cautious about its quality.
Remember that milk expands when frozen, much like water.
How to Store Breast Milk
Breast Milk Storage Bags are your best option. Choose 2 oz or 4 oz bags, and make sure to leave some room at the top of the bag if you plan to freeze it, as breast milk expands when frozen. Write the date you expressed the milk on the bag so you can keep track of how long it’s been stored. Avoid using disposable bottle liners or any other type of plastic bags.
If you’re worried about the bags tearing, you can place them inside a covered plastic container. Avoid using containers that contain BPA or BPS. You can freeze milk in BPA-free plastic containers or freezer-safe glass containers. Make sure to clean all bottles with hot soapy water (or in the dishwasher) and dry them thoroughly before use.
Avoid using chemical sanitizers before storing breast milk, and always wash your hands before handling breast milk storage containers.
Additional Tips:
- Label the Milk: Always label the storage bags with the date and time of expression. This will help you track how long it’s been stored.
- Never Rewarm Milk More Than Once: Once breast milk has been thawed or warmed, it should never be reheated or refrozen. Discard any milk that hasn’t been consumed within 1–2 hours of warming.
- Thawing Breast Milk: To thaw frozen milk, place it in the fridge overnight or warm it in a container of warm (not boiling) water. Never microwave breast milk, as it can create hot spots that could burn your baby.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your breast milk remains safe, fresh, and full of nutrients for your baby, even when you need to store it for later use.