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.