Breastmilk Storage Tips - Do’s and Don’ts

Wondering how to store breastmilk safely and hygienically? Listed here the some simple tips that can effectively help you in securing your essential milk for your baby. It is always prescribed by doctors to take proper steps in order to prevent contamination, which can be highly detrimental for your baby’s health.

• Even before expressing or handling breast milk, it is always advised to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. The pumped milk must be collected in a clean, capped glass, BPA- free container. The containers must be sterilized at regular intervals in order to reduce any kind of contamination.

• Pre-sterilized breastmilk storage bags are advised for freezing. Place the containers at the end of the refrigerator where it’s the coolest. Disposable bottle liners, if used for freezing, might require additional protection to prevent leaking and contamination. They are even much more prone to bursting and leaking and therefore are not widely suggested.

• Glass containers provide the best protection. It is least absorbent material and reduces contamination, thereby maintaining and enhancing the taste of the milk for the baby.

• Breastmilk storage can also be done at room temperature for up to seven hours. At specific room temperatures, it can last a bit longer, say 24 hours. It is recommended, to keep the expressed breastmilk 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 degree for up to six months.

• Pumped breastmilk should be labelled indicating the time and the amount of the milk pumped.

• One should always ensure that the fresh milk should not be added to the milk that is already frozen and should not be stored in a large quantity at one setting.

• Adding warm breast milk to frozen breast milk should be avoided, as it cause the frozen milk to partially thaw.

How to Make Breastmilk Feeding Easier for New Moms

Breastmilk feeding has a wealth of benefits for both, the mother and her new-born. Easy to digest, the breastmilk not only offers excellent nutritional value to the baby but provides protection against a multitude of infections. Breast milk also prevents the baby against many health complications such as diabetes, obesity at a later stage of life, etc. For mothers, breastmilk feeding right after delivery helps their uterus to contract much faster and speed up her recovery by regaining the lost blood.

Along with other benefits, it is also a common fact that many first time mothers experience anxiety even while thinking of how to breastfeed their new-born. Though they face a lot of challenges, modern moms of today are fortunate enough to live in a world where a host of practical solutions are available for all her breastfeeding problems.

Listed here are five absolute must-haves when one is breastfeeding:

1.       Nursing Bras: Extremely comfortable, these bras provide extra support to the breasts of the mothers who need to feed the baby on-the-go. One should make sure that the bras are soft and flexible so that they can expand when there is surplus milk coming in.

2.       Nipple Shields: These are useful in providing relief to the sore nipples from pain and add moisture to the sensitive and cracked skin.

3.       Breast pumps: These are extremely helpful when mothers need to stay away from home. They can easily store their breast milk by using the exclusive breast pumps for their little one. Doctors suggest mothers to start pumping from three to four weeks after delivery as it helps to improve the flow of milk and keeps mothers all set to handle feedings anytime, anywhere.

4.       Breastmilk storage bags: These are specially designed to keep breastmilk fresh for over 24 hours as well as are convenient to carry around while traveling.

5.       Nursing pillows: Mothers can make their nursing moments more special and cuddly by using the extra comfortable and soft nursing pillows which help in supporting the baby during long nursing sessions.

Breast milk feeding is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding experiences for mothers as it enhances the bond between her and her baby. It indeed is a great feeling and hence, it is worth the effort to make it a success.