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.

A Guide to Buying the Best Feeding Bottle for Your Baby

Nothing beats the joy of bringing a new life into this beautiful world. But, with this majestic feeling comes the great responsibility of taking care of your little one’s health and feeding him/her at regular intervals in an appropriate manner. While it is suggested to breastfeed your baby at the initial stage, there will come a time when you’ll have to bottle feed him/her.

Bottle feeding is no rocket science. But finding the right feeding bottle is. The market today is flooded with a myriad variety of feeding bottles in India that it is practically very challenging and tiresome to find a feeding bottle which would not only be easy to use but to clean as well.

To solve this daunting problem, we bring forth a range of unique feeding bottles that follow the baby’s growth in the most natural way. Let’s take a look!

Standard Baby Bottles 

As the name says, it’s the most common type of baby feeding bottle available in the market. Ideal for babies 4-6 months old, these come with three different teats with specific shapes that allow easy feeding. The bottles also have soft silicone and grooves at the base which feel exactly like a mother’s breast. 

Standard baby bottles are cheap and come in a basic shape. They are easy to sterilize and fit aptly in traditional warmers and bottle covers. 

Angled Baby Bottles

Angled baby bottles are perfect for new born babies. They come with a bend in the neck of the bottle which keeps the nipple filled with milk or any other liquid, preventing the formation of air bubbles in the nipple. What’s the advantage? Your baby takes in less air, which apparently is a good thing. 

When asked from Paediatricians regarding the best feeding position, they recommended semi-upright position as it helps prevent ear infection. Wondering what’s the relevance? The angle necked bottles promote such kind of feeding position, further eliminating the chances of acquiring ear infection and is also easier for the parents to hold the baby while they is feeding the baby.

Wide Neck Baby Bottle

Such bottles come with a wider neck, larger nipple and wider opening. The primary fundamental behind its shape is that the larger nipple resembles a mother’s nipple, which prevents the baby from getting confused and conveniently accept the formula. As a result, wider neck bottles are more preferred by the mothers with infants older than six months and switch between breastfeeding and formula feeding at regular intervals. 

Each baby feeding bottle has its own unique features which make nursing more convenient and enjoyable for the babies and their mothers. But these bottles have two feature in common. One, they have special anti-colic valves which prevent the air from being swallowed by the babies, further reducing the risk of colic; and second, they all can be used as breast milk storage containers helping you save on maintaining two different bottles for storing and feeding. 

If you are an about-to-be-mom or a newbie-mother and are looking for a feeing bottle, opt for one of the baby feeding bottles as described above and feed your tot in the most natural and convenient way. 

Breast Milk Storage: Learn the major Do's and Don'ts

Many women breast-feed their kids and need to go to their work too. During such cases, it becomes essential to store the breast milk so that their babies can be given the timely feed while they are away. However, there are several important do’s and don’ts that must be followed if you are considering the idea of breast milk storage.

Choose the Right Container

Before expressing breast milk, wash your hands carefully. Then, store your breast milk in a clean and capped glass bottle made of hard plastic. One must always pick a BPA-free container for storing milk.

Learn How to Store Milk 

Mothers must use waterproof labels and ink so as to label the containers with the date you stored the milk. If you leave your baby at a day care, do not forget to mention your baby’s name too on the bottle. Always place the milk bottles in the refrigerator or in an insulated cooler if refrigerator is not available. Also, remember that breast milk expands on freezing, so avoid filling the bottles to the brim. 

 Adding Fresh Expressed Milk to Already Stored one

Yes, you can always add fresh breast milk in the one refrigerated in the fridge. However, it is important to cool the freshly expressed breast milk before adding it to the previously chilled or frozen milk. Adding warm breast milk can make the frozen milk partially thaw.

Use Only Sanitized Breast Pumps

For breastmilk storage, use only sanitized breast pumps to avoid adding germs to the milk. You can sanitize the pump at home as well by keeping it in hot water for some time.

Store breastmilk and keep it along even while you are on the move

Breastmilk storage becomes very easy with Medela’s breastmilk management. Breastmilk is undeniably the most important ingredient for all babies especially the newborns. For all the nursing mothers, breastmilk management is a very convenient option. The mother can safely store the breastmilk with this breastmilk management. Safe and secure, breastmilk management by Medela is of super help to all nursing mothers for breastmilk storage.

Carry breastmilk safely even when you are on the go

Breastmilk is undeniably the most important ingredient for all babies especially the newborns. For all the nursing mothers, breastmilk management is a very convenient option. Breastmilk storage becomes very easy with Medela’s breastmilk management. The mother can safely store the breastmilk with this breastmilk management. Safe and secure, breastmilk management by Medela is of super help to all nursing mothers for breastmilk storage.