How to Store Breast Milk?

Which breast milk storage method is best?

When it comes to storing expressed milk, the best method for you will vary based on your individual requirements. Depending on how much milk you are looking to store, how often you express and how much you are able to pump, how long you intend to keep  in storage, when you intend to use it and how much – all these factors will determine what is the best pumped breast milk storage method for you.

• Store at room temperature (Below 25^o C) for up to six hours
• In a cold box (with ice packs) for up to 24 hours
• In a refrigerator (under 4^o C) for up to five days – keep away from meat, eggs or raw foods
• In a freezer for up to two weeks
• In a deep freezer (-18^o C or lower) for up to six months

Depending on your usage and milk availability, find what option works best for you for expressed milk storage. Keep the following in mind to ensure safe breast milk storage at all times

• Use sterilized plastic containers or breast milk bags, not glass
• Label and date stored milk, use oldest ones first
• Keep breast pumps and bottles clean at all times
• Wash hands before expressing and handling breastmilk

How to warm stored breast milk

If you’re using a freezer or deep freezer for pumped breast milk storage, thaw your stored milk in the fridge in advance. Do not use a microwave or stove to rapidly thaw milk as it may burn or warm unevenly causing hot and cold spots that can cause serious discomfort to your baby. Once thawed, there are a few different methods to warm breast milk optimally. You can place the bottle or bag in a container of warm water – this method is slow but the gradual warming ensures consistent warming and fewer hotspots. If not done right however, the milk may not be warmed sufficiently and may require multiple tries. Warming on a stove is another option – this method is quicker, but is labour intensive and requires vigilance. It is very easy to overheat the milk, which will cause significant distress to the baby. The best way to warm after storing expressed milk is to use a bottle warmer like the Philips Avent bottle warmer – this method is hassle free and ensures  consistent warming throughout, so you can feed without worrying about hot or cold spots. This method is also quick and easy, warming up a bottle of milk in minutes at the touch of a button.

How to check stored breast milk

When storing expressed milk, especially long term in the freezer, it can be difficult to ensure that the milk is still usable. Breast milk is not the same as the dairy milk that we consume regularly, so it can be difficult to judge based on the normal criteria whether it is good or not. There are three main things that must be checked to ensure that stored breast milk is still usable for feeding

How long it’s been stored

Do not store milk past the recommended guidelines for each storage method. If milk is stored past the time it is generally considered usable, do not take the risk – dispose of it.

How it looks

Breast milk naturally separates over time, with fat rising and water falling to the bottom. A gentle swirl of the bag or bottle will recombine and mix the fat and water. If breast milk remains separated or chunky after attempting to mix it, it has likely gone bad and should be disposed of. Breast milk also naturally has a variety of colours, so don’t be alarmed if it is yellow, off white, slightly blue or slightly orange.

How it smells

There is no single “correct” way for breast milk to smell, as a variety of factors can impact the way it smells, including mom’s diet and general health. It is important however to smell breast milk to check if it’s okay – if there is even a hint of rancid scent, or sourness, it is better to dispose of it than to risk giving spoiled milk to your baby.

How it tastes

Similar to taste and look, there is no one single way that breast milk should or shouldn’t taste. Thaw a small portion and have a little taste – if there is any hint of rancidness or sourness, dispose of the milk.