Wondering how to store breast milk safely? Here are some tips to help you! All methods to prevent contamination should be employed as it can be detrimental to the child's health.
Expressed breast milk can be stored in many different types of containers.
These may range from glass to plastic to stainless steel.
One important tip in storing breast milk in any type of container you have chosen is sterility.
The containers you may have opted to use must be clean and sterile to reduce any sort of contamination that may occur.
The selection of the container used should be determined by the length of time you have planned to store the expressed breast milk.
Milk storage bags, that are pre-sterilized, are designed and recommended for freezing.
Disposable bottle liners, on the other hand, if used for freezing may require additional protection to prevent leaking and contamination.
They are also more prone to bursting and leaks and so are not generally recommended.
If you have however chosen to use disposable bottle liners, place the liner in a larger size freezer bag to provide more protection.
Glass gives the most protection.
For refrigeration use, it is the best as it is the least absorbent material which in turn reduces contamination and hence the taste of the milk for the baby.
A solid, one-piece cap should be used for best seal and tightened only after the milk has become frozen.
Hard-sided clear plastic containers are another good choice.
Milk should be stored in daily useable amounts to prevent wasting it.
Of the three, milk bags used to store frozen milk are more prone to leakage and additionally, if the bag is thawed in water, the milk may be tainted if the water covers the top of the bag.
To prevent this, double bags should be used and bags should be stored in a hard plastic container with a lid.
Pumped (express) breast milk can be frozen or refrigerated.
It should be labelled indicating when the milk was pumped and the amount pumped.
Small amounts should be stored, such as two to four ounces at a time to avoid wasted breast milk.
Enough room should be left for expansion.
Fresh milk should not be added to milk that is already frozen.
Express breast milk can be kept at room temperature (less than 77 degrees F) for up to six hours, in the refrigerator (32-39 degrees F) for three to eight days and frozen (at 0-4 degrees F) for up to six months or a deep freezer for one year.
Refrigerated or frozen milk may look a little different from fresh ones.
This does not mean that it has gone bad.
It is normal for breast milk to look slightly blue, yellow or brown when refrigerated or frozen.
Expressed breast milk can be stored in many different types of containers.
These may range from glass to plastic to stainless steel.
One important tip in storing breast milk in any type of container you have chosen is sterility.
The containers you may have opted to use must be clean and sterile to reduce any sort of contamination that may occur.
The selection of the container used should be determined by the length of time you have planned to store the expressed breast milk.
Milk storage bags, that are pre-sterilized, are designed and recommended for freezing.
Disposable bottle liners, on the other hand, if used for freezing may require additional protection to prevent leaking and contamination.
They are also more prone to bursting and leaks and so are not generally recommended.
If you have however chosen to use disposable bottle liners, place the liner in a larger size freezer bag to provide more protection.
Glass gives the most protection.
For refrigeration use, it is the best as it is the least absorbent material which in turn reduces contamination and hence the taste of the milk for the baby.
A solid, one-piece cap should be used for best seal and tightened only after the milk has become frozen.
Hard-sided clear plastic containers are another good choice.
Milk should be stored in daily useable amounts to prevent wasting it.
Of the three, milk bags used to store frozen milk are more prone to leakage and additionally, if the bag is thawed in water, the milk may be tainted if the water covers the top of the bag.
To prevent this, double bags should be used and bags should be stored in a hard plastic container with a lid.
Pumped (express) breast milk can be frozen or refrigerated.
It should be labelled indicating when the milk was pumped and the amount pumped.
Small amounts should be stored, such as two to four ounces at a time to avoid wasted breast milk.
Enough room should be left for expansion.
Fresh milk should not be added to milk that is already frozen.
Express breast milk can be kept at room temperature (less than 77 degrees F) for up to six hours, in the refrigerator (32-39 degrees F) for three to eight days and frozen (at 0-4 degrees F) for up to six months or a deep freezer for one year.
Refrigerated or frozen milk may look a little different from fresh ones.
This does not mean that it has gone bad.
It is normal for breast milk to look slightly blue, yellow or brown when refrigerated or frozen.
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