How To Store Breast Milk And Use For Your Baby?

I m a g e : S h u t t e s t o c k

M o s t breastfeeding m o m s find i t convenient, a n d often n e c e s s a r y to s t o r e breastmilk f o r later. A n d , working m o m s or m o m s who h a v e to l e a v e their b a b i e s at c r e c h e s need t o do s o more t h a n ever. A n d , even i f you a r e n ’ t a w o r k i n g mom, i t wouldn’t h u r t to l e a r n how t o store b r e a s t milk. W h o knows? Y o u might n e e d this k n o w l e d g e later. S o , here a r e certain g u i d e l i n e s that m a y answer a l l your q u e s t i o n s regarding t h e safe s t o r a g e of b r e a s t m i l k . Read o n to l e a r n more.

E x p r e s s i n g Breastmilk:

E x p r e s s i n g breastmilk i s a w a y of s q u e e z i n g milk f r o m your b r e a s t so t h a t you c a n store i t for y o u r baby t o feed l a t e r . You c a n take o u t the m i l k with y o u r hands, o r use a manual p u m p or a n electrical p u m p .
Y o u may e x p r e s s milk f o r any o f the f o l l o w i n g reasons.

I f your b a b y is n o t able t o suck p r o p e r l y

I f she i s a p r e m a t u r e baby

I f you o r your b a b y are h o s p i t a l i z e d and y o u cannot f e e d all t h e time
Sponsored

I f you a r e a w o r k i n g mother a n d may h a v e to l e a v e your b a b y in a creche

I f studies o r other c o m m i t m e n t s bind y o u

I f you f e e l your b r e a s t s are u n c o m f o r t a b l e and t o o full

S o m e mothers m a y store b r e a s t milk f o r emergencies

I f you m a y want t o use y o u r breast m i l k to m i x with y o u r baby’s s o l i d foods

D i f f e r e n t types o f pumps s u i t different w o m e n . Therefore, y o u consult y o u r doctor o r try a pump o n before y o u take o n e . Below a r e the d i f f e r e n t ways o f expressing b r e a s t m i l k :

Type	H o w Does I t Work	W h a t Does I t Involve
H a n d expression	M a s s a g e and c o m p r e s s your b r e a s t using y o u r hand t o squeeze m i l k .	Y o u should h a v e enough p r a c t i c e , coordination, a n d skill Y o u will f i n d it e a s y with p r a c t i c e , and i t will b e as f a s t as p u m p i n g .
M a n u a l pump	U s e your h a n d and w r i s t to m a n a g e the h a n d – h e l d device f o r pumping t h e milk	Y o u should h a v e enough p r a c t i c e , coordination, a n d skill U s e f u l for o c c a s i o n a l pumping w h e n you a r e away f r o m your b a b y C a n cause a higher r i s k of b r e a s t infection.
E l e c t r i c a l pump	W o r k s on b a t t e r y or p l u g s into a n electrical o u t l e t .	P u m p s one b r e a s t at a time o r both b r e a s t s at t h e same t i m e . E a s i e r to h a n d l e for m o t h e r s D o u b l e pumping c a n express m o r e milk i n less t i m e , helpful i f you a full-time e m p l o y e e . E q u i p m e n t should b e cleaned a f t e r every u s e .

C o l l e c t i n g Breastmilk:

C o l l e c t i n g breastmilk i s an a r t . Though i t takes t i m e to l e a r n this a r t , you w i l l be a b l e to a c c o m p l i s h it s o o n by s i m p l e steps g i v e n below:

R i n s e your h a n d s properly u s i n g soap a n d water

W a s h the b r e a s t pump p a r t s and c o l l e c t i n g bottles u s i n g the d i s h w a s h e r and h o t water. C l e a n using a towel a n d air d r y them. Y o u can u s e Medela Q u i c k Clean p r o d u c t s for a better r i n s e . If y o u r baby i s ill o r premature, y o u should s t e r i l i z e the b r e a s t pump p a r t s .

C a r e f u l l y read t h e instructions o n the p u m p parts a n d accordingly c l e a n them e v e r y day.

P r a c t i c e pumping b r e a s t m i l k when y o u feel b r e a s t s are f u l l . Use o n e breast t o feed y o u r little o n e and t h e other t o pump t h e milk. Y o u can a l s o pump t h e breastmilk f o r a s h o r t while w h e n your b a b y skips t h e feed. U s e a p r o p e r breast s h i e l d that f i t s in c o m f o r t a b l y with y o u r nipple.

W o r k i n g mothers c a n teach t h e i r babies t o bottle f e e d . You s h o u l d wait f o r 3 t o 4 w e e k s before y o u introduce y o u r baby t o the b o t t l e . If y o u have a n y other p r o b l e m s with b r e a s t f e e d i n g , check w i t h the d o c t o r or t h e lactation c o n s u l t a n t .

P u m p milk f o r every t h r e e hours w h e n you r e m a i n away f r o m your b a b y . Pump f o r 10 m i n u t e s during b r e a k s and 1 5 minutes d u r i n g lunch u s i n g a g o o d pump. D o i n g likewise w i l l help t o protect y o u r breastmilk s u p p l y .

Y o u can b r e a s t f e e d your b a b y in t h e evening a f t e r work o r on h o l i d a y s to m a i n t a i n a p r o p e r milk s u p p l y and b o n d with y o u r little o n e .

W h i c h Kind O f Containers C a n Be U s e d To S t o r e Expressed B r e a s t m i l k ?

Y o u may h a v e worked h a r d to c o l l e c t breastmilk. N o w , you h a v e to e n s u r e to s t o r e it p r o p e r l y . If y o u are c o n f u s e d about w h a t kind o f containers t o use, y o u should r e a d below:

Bottles:

H a r d – s i d e d plastic o r glass c o n t a i n e r s that h a v e well f i t t i n g lids. H o w e v e r , glass b o t t l e s are b e t t e r than p l a s t i c ones.

W a s h the c o n t a i n e r s with s o a p and h o t water. W a s h them w e l l and a l l o w them t o air d r y before u s e .

Y o u can a l s o use d i s h w a s h e r and w a t e r to r i n s e the c o n t a i n e r s .

Y o u should n o t fill t h e container u p to t h e brim, i n s t e a d , leave a n inch s p a c e on t h e top a s milk e x p a n d s when i t freezes.

N o t e : Plastic b o t t l e s and t h e i r components t u r n brittle o n freezing a n d can b r e a k easily. G l a s s bottles m a y also b r e a k if n o t handled p r o p e r l y . For i n s t a n c e , when t h e y have t o o much m i l k , you d r o p them o r knock t h e m over. D o n ’ t store b r e a s t m i l k in b r o k e n bottles.

Bags:

Y o u will g e t specially d e s i g n e d milk f r e e z e r bags t o store b r e a s t m i l k .

F i l l about 2 to 4 ounces ( 6 0 to 1 2 0 ml) o f milk i n the b a g to o f f e r it i n a s i n g l e feeding.

S q u e e z e out a n y air t h a t is o n the t o p and l e a v e about o n e inch a s milk e x p a n d s after f r e e z i n g .

K e e p the b a g s at t h e back o f the f r e e z e r since t h e temperature r e m a i n s consistently c o l d .

D o not u s e plastic b a g s or d i s p o s a b l e bottle l i n e r s . They p o s s e s s a h i g h risk o f contamination, a n d moreover, t h e y tend t o leak a n d are l e s s durable. S o m e plastics w i l l also d e s t r o y nutrients i n the m i l k .

H o w To S t o r e Breast M i l k ?

S t o r e your b r e a s t m i l k in a tidy g l a s s or h a r d sided p l a s t i c BPA f r e e bottle.You c a n also s t o r e in m i l k bags t h a t are s p e c i a l l y made f o r freezing b r e a s t m i l k .

A f t e r Pumping T h e Milk:

M e n t i o n the d a t e on t h e milk s t o r a g e container. W r i t e your b a b y ’ s name i f you k e e p your c h i l d in a creche.

S l i g h t l y spin t h e bottle t o blend t h e creamy p a r t of t h e milk w i t h the r e s t of t h e milk. A v o i d shaking t h e bottle. I t can d e c o m p o s e some v a l u a b l e components o f the m i l k .

P l a c e the m i l k in t h e refrigerator s o o n after i t is e x p r e s s e d . If y o u do n o t have a freezer, y o u can u s e an i n s u l a t e d cooler t e m p o r a r i l y .

T a k e containers a c c o r d i n g to y o u r baby’s f e e d and f i l l them i n d i v i d u a l l y , like o n e for o n e feed. Y o u may b e g i n with 2 -4 o u n c e s (59-118 m i l l i l i t e r s ) and t h e n slowly a d j u s t as r e q u i r e d . D o not s t o r e more t h a n 1 t o 2 o u n c e s (30-59 m i l l i l i t e r s ) in a feed.

F r e e z i n g Milk:

T i g h t e n the b o t t l e caps o r bag l i d s until t h e milk i s frozen c o m p l e t e l y .

L e a v e an i n c h or m o r e at t h e top o f the c o n t a i n e r as m i l k expands a f t e r freezing.

P l a c e the m i l k at t h e back o f the f r e e z e r as i t is c o o l e r compared t o the r e s t .

T h a w i n g And H e a t i n g Milk:

L a b e l the m i l k containers w i t h the d a t e it w a s expressed. A l w a y s use t h e older m i l k first.

B r e a s t m i l k does n o t require w a r m i n g . Few m o t h e r s prefer s e r v i n g it c h i l l e d , and s o m e prefer t o serve i t at r o o m temperature.

T h a w the m i l k container b y pouring w a r m running w a t e r on i t and t h e n place i t in a bowl o f warm w a t e r .

D o not k e e p the c o n t a i n e r in a microwave a s it c a n destroy t h e milk a n d can a l s o burn y o u r little o n e .

S p i n the m i l k and t e s t its t e m p e r a t u r e by t a k i n g a d r o p on y o u r palm. I t should b e warm b u t not h o t .

Y o u can u s e thawed m i l k before 2 4 hours, a n d you s h o u l d not f r e e z e it a g a i n .

G u i d e For S t o r i n g Breastmilk:

H e r e is a simple g u i d e that h e l p s you u n d e r s t a n d how y o u can s t o r e breastmilk c a r e f u l l y .

M i l k Storage G u i d e l i n e s
Where	Temperature	Time	Comments
A t room t e m p e r a t u r e (fresh m i l k )	6 6 ° to 7 8 ° F ( 1 9 ° to 2 6 ° C)	4 hours ( i d e a l ) up t o 6 h o u r s (acceptable)*	C o n t e n t s should b e covered a n d kept a s cool a s possible; c o v e r i n g the c o n t a i n e r with a damp t o w e l may k e e p milk c o o l e r .
I n s u l a t e d cooler b a g	5 ° -39° F (-15° – 4 ° C)	2 4 hours	K e e p ice p a c k s in c o n s t a n t contact w i t h milk c o n t a i n e r s ; limit o p e n i n g cooler b a g .
I n a r e f r i g e r a t o r	& l t ; 3 9 ° F ( & l t ; 4 ° C)	7 2 hours ( i d e a l ) up t o 8 d a y s (acceptable)**	C o l l e c t in a very c l e a n way t o minimize s p o i l a g e . Store m i l k in t h e back o f the m a i n body o f the r e f r i g e r a t o r .
F r e e z e r (compartment o f refrigerator)	5 ° F ( – 1 5 ° C)	2 weeks	S t o r e milk a w a y from s i d e s and t o w a r d the b a c k of t h e freezer w h e r e temperature i s most c o n s t a n t . Milk s t o r e d longer t h a n these r a n g e s
F r e e z e r (compartment o f refrigerator w i t h separate d o o r s )	0 ° F ( – 1 8 ° C)	3 – 6 months	i s usually s a f e , but s o m e of t h e fats b r e a k down o v e r time.
D e e p Freezer	– 4 ° F ( – 2 0 ° C)	6 – 1 2 months

* The p r e f e r e n c e is t o refrigerate o r chill m i l k right a f t e r it i s expressed.

* * Eight d a y s acceptable i f collected i n a v e r y clean, c a r e f u l way.

T a b l e Source

G u i d e For S t o r i n g Thawed B r e a s t m i l k :

	R o o m temperature ( 6 0 ° F – 8 5 ° F ) (16 – 30°C)	R e f r i g e r a t o r (39°F o r colder) ( u p to 4 ° C )	A n y freezers
T h a w e d breastmilk	1 to 2 hours i s an i d e a l storage t i m e . Up t o 3 t o 4 h o u r s is a c c e p t a b l e .	2 4 hours i s ideal t o refrigerate	A v o i d refreezing.

T h e above g u i d e l i n e s differ w i t h your p r e m a t u r e baby. I t is b e t t e r for y o u to c h e c k with y o u r healthcare p r o v i d e r for t h e storage g u i d e l i n e s .

Tips To E n c o u r a g e Your L e t – D o w n Reflex W h i l e Expressing B r e a s t m i l k :

Y o u may f e e l pain w h e n your b r e a s t s eject m i l k , and t h e pain i s transient. T h e milk e j e c t i o n reflex o r the l e t d o w n reflex i s set b y the o x y t o c i n hormone w h i c h stimulates t h e muscle c e l l s in t h e breast t o eject t h e milk.

C e r t a i n techniques m a y help t o encourage t h e letdown r e f l e x while e x p r e s s i n g breastmilk. F o r instance:

T r y expressing t h e milk i n a w a r m , quiet a n d relaxed a r e a which i s all a w a y from d i s t r a c t i o n s . Breathe d e e p l y and s l o w l y . You c a n also p r e f e r having a warm g l a s s of d r i n k before e x p r e s s i n g and l i s t e n to a gentle m u s i c . Take a warm s h o w e r or u s e warm f a c e washers b e f o r e expressing t h e milk h e l p s as w a r m t h always h e l p s .

G e n t l y massage y o u r breasts b y giving s t r o k e s toward t h e nipples a n d roll t h e nipples b e t w e e n fingers. I f you c a n n o t squeeze o u t the m i l k by m a s s a g e , you c a n trigger t h e let d o w n by a touch o n your b r e a s t s .

T h i n k about y o u r baby a n d her f e e d ; it w i l l help y o u to e x p r e s s the m i l k .

H a v i n g a s u p p o r t also h e l p s . Some m o t h e r s feel t h a t they c a n manage b e t t e r when t h e y have a partner o r friend w h o encourages t h e m .

M i l k Supply A n d Y o u r Baby’ s Needs:

A healthy m i l k supply r e m a i n s the s a m e for s i x months o f complete b r e a s t f e e d i n g .

I n the i n i t i a l weeks, b a b i e s eat o f t e n and a l s o grow q u i c k l y . Girls h a v e to g a i n about o n e ounce a day a n d boys h a v e to g a i n more t h a n one o u n c e a d a y .

A r o u n d 3 t o 4 m o n t h s , the b a b y ’ s growth r a t e slows d o w n . If s h e gains w e i g h t rapidly h e r e a f t e r , it m a y lead t o obesity. T h e milk s u p p l y which i s established i n the i n i t i a l days c o n t i n u e s to s a t i s f y your b a b y until s i x months.

O n an a v e r a g e , women m a k e about 1 9 – 3 0 oz m i l k every d a y . Infants b e t w e e n 1 t o 6 m o n t h s drink a b o u t 19 t o 30 o z milk e v e r y day. A n average s i z e of e v e r y feed i s 3 t o 5 o z .

B r e a s t m i l k Taste A n d Odor C h a n g e s :

C a u s e s Of M i l k Taste A n d Odor C h a n g e s – C h a n g e s in y o u r breastmilk t a s t e and o d o r can b e due t o mother’s d i e t , medications, m i l k exposure t o light o r cold t e m p e r a t u r e and s m o k i n g .

O d o r Due T o Lipase – Few m o t h e r s produce m i l k that g i v e s an o f f – o d o r on f r e e z i n g . It i s because o f the l i p a s e enzyme p r e s e n t in t h e breastmilk. T h e odor s m e l l s rancid o r unpleasant o n thawing. T h o u g h it i s safe t o drink, s o m e babies m a y refuse b e c a u s e of t h e odd t a s t e .

O d o r And T a s t e Test B e f o r e Freezing – Collect 1 to 2 bags o f breastmilk a n d freeze f o r at l e a s t five d a y s . You s h o u l d then e v a l u a t e the t a s t e and o d o r and c h e c k whether y o u r baby c a n drink.

E l i m i n a t e Lipase-Induced M i l k – I f you o b s e r v e a c h a n g e in t a s t e and o d o r of t h e milk o n freezing, y o u should s c a l d it b e f o r e you f r e e z e . Scalding t h e milk a f t e r it f r e e z e s will n o t help.

S c a l d i n g Fresh M i l k – H e a t milk i n a p o t until y o u see s m a l l bubbles a t the e d g e s . Now, r e m o v e the m i l k and k e e p it f o r freezing. S c a l d i n g will t a k e away s o m e useful c o m p o n e n t s fro t h e breastmilk, s o you s h o u l d prefer g i v i n g fresh b r e a s t m i l k .

S p e c i a l Cases:

M o t h e r s whose b a b i e s are i n NICU ( n e o n a t a l intensive c a r e unit) r e q u i r e to e x p r e s s and s t o r e more m i l k . In r e g u l a r freezers, l i p o l y s i s may t a k e place w h e n milk i s stored f o r a l o n g time. B u t , NICU f r e e z e r s can s t o r e milk a t intensive c o l d temperatures a n d will n o t affect t h e milk. T h e milk o d o r and t a s t e will n o t change a t these t e m p e r a t u r e s that w i l l be a r o u n d -70° t o -80° C .

I n such a case, y o u should c o n s u l t NICU l a c t a t i o n consultant t o develop a plan f o r storing b r e a s t m i l k .

F r e q u e n t l y Asked Q u e s t i o n s :

1 . How M u c h Breastmilk C a n You S t o r e In T h e Freezer?

F e w women w i l l pump l a r g e volumes o f breast m i l k to f r e e z e . You c a n store u p to 2 to 4 ounces ( 6 0 to 1 2 0 milliliters), a s any m o r e will b e wasted. Y o u can a l s o pour t h e breast m i l k into a n ice c u b e tray w h i c h is r i n s e d thoroughly w i t h hot w a t e r . Freeze t h e m and o n c e they t u r n hard, k e e p in f r e e z e r bags. I n this w a y , you c a n also k e e p a c o u n t of c u b e s that a r e required t o make o n e feed.

2 . Is I t Normal F o r The F r o z e n Breastmilk T o Change C o l o r ?

F r o z e n breastmilk m a y be s l i g h t l y different f r o m the f r e s h milk; h o w e v e r , it d o e s not m e a n it i s bad. I t is q u i t e normal f o r the f r e s h milk t o look o r a n g i s h , and m a t u r e milk l o o k s slightly b l u i s h , yellowish o r brownish o n refrigeration. I t will a l s o separate i n t o the c r e a m y top l a y e r and a lighter-colored l a y e r . You s h o u l d then s w i r l it l i g h t l y so t h a t the m i l k mixes p r o p e r l y .

T h a w e d milk t a s t e s soapy a n d smells d i f f e r e n t because t h e fats b r e a k d o w n in t h e milk. I t is s a f e for b a b i e s to c o n s u m e the m i l k after t h a w i n g . If y o u r baby d o e s n ’ t drink t h i s milk, y o u can s c a l d the m i l k and t h e n quickly c o o l and f r e e z e it. D o i n g this w i l l switch o f f the e n z y m e , which u s u a l l y breaks d o w n the f a t s in t h e milk.

3 . Is I t Safe T o Microwave T h e Breastmilk?

I f you m i c r o w a v e the m i l k , it w i l l develop h o t spots i n the b o t t l e s . It c a n be v e r y dangerous w h e n you f e e d the b a b y . Instead, y o u should h o l d the b o t t l e under w a r m running w a t e r , swirl t h e container a n d then g i v e it t o your b a b y .

I n s t e a d , you c a n also u s e bottle w a r m e r s .

4 . Is I t Safe t o Offer C o l d Expressed B r e a s t m i l k For Y o u r Baby Soon A f t e r Refrigeration?

I t will n o t make a n y difference a n d also t h e r e is n o evidence t h a t babies r e q u i r e warm m i l k . However, m o s t babies p r e f e r milk w h i c h is a t body t e m p e r a t u r e . The s a f e s t way i s to w a r m the m i l k by p l a c i n g it i s a b o w l of w a r m water a n d then o f f e r it t o your b a b y .

5 . How M u c h Breastmilk I s Sufficient F o r A S i n g l e Feed?

I t cannot b e estimated a s babies f e e d i n g habits d i f f e r from e a c h other. Y o u n g ones c a n just t a k e a s m a l l volume, a few m i l l i l i t e r s in a single f e e d whereas o l d e r ones c a n take m o r e . Also, y o u r little o n e ’ s appetite m a y by m o r e on s o m e days a n d less o n other d a y s . Therefore, a rough r u l e of t h u m b is t o take a t least 1 0 0 milliliters, p l u s little e x t r a for e a c h feed. Y o u can l a t e r estimate f r o m your b a b y ’ s feeding h a b i t s .

6 . How C a n You F e e d Expressed M i l k For Y o u r Baby?

T h e common w a y to o f f e r expressed b r e a s t m i l k is t h r o u g h a b o t t l e . The a l t e r n a t i v e s are a special f e e d i n g cup, a plastic s y r i n g e , or a n egg c u p . These f e e d i n g methods t h r o u g h may b e new, a r e the b e s t for p r e t e r m or i l l babies w h o have n o t learned t o feed e f f e c t i v e l y .

7 . Can Y o u Defrost F r o z e n Breastmilk?

O n c e the m i l k is f r o z e n , you c a n only d e f r o s t it b e f o r e you s e r v e it y o u r baby. U s e it s t r a i g h t away a f t e r defrosting. F r o z e n milk i s also b e t t e r than f o r m u l a milk. D o not f r e e z e milk o n c e it i s thawed. Y o u can s t o r e the t h a w e d or f r o z e n milk i n refrigerator, b u t cannot r e f r e e z e them.

8 . Can Y o u Cup F e e d With E x p r e s s e d Breastmilk?

C u p feeding c a n only b e done u n d e r a p r o p e r supervision o f a n u r s e . Do n o t give y o u r baby i n a c u p until y o u feel c o n f i d e n t about i t . It c a n endanger y o u r baby a s it m a y cause c h o k i n g .

9 . Can Y o u Mix F r e s h l y Expressed B r e a s t m i l k With S t o r e d Milk?

Y o u can m i x freshly e x p r e s s e d milk w i t h frozen m i l k that i s expressed o n the s a m e day. B u t , you h a v e to r e f r i g e r a t e the f r e s h milk s e p a r a t e l y and t h e n add t o the e a r l i e r stored f r o z e n milk. Y o u should n o t add w a r m milk t o frozen m i l k as i t thaws t h e frozen m i l k .

H o p e this p o s t helps y o u to u n d e r s t a n d about s t o r a g e and u s a g e of b r e a s t m i l k . Do s h a r e your e x p e r i e n c e s with u s in t h e comment s e c t i o n below.

R e c o m m e n d e d Articles:

” I believe w o r d s have p o w e r . They a r e a p o w e r f u l tool f o r a c r e a t i v e soul. B e i n g a ‘ w o r d addict’, I express m y thoughts a n d contribute a r t i c l e s on h e a l t h , wellness a n d beauty. A p a r t from w r i t i n g , I l o v e listening t o gospel m u s i c and e n j o y observing n a t u r e in s i l e n c e . “

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