How to store breast milk properly
How to Properly Store Breast Milk
Looking to create a freezer stash? Want some extra help during bottle feeding? Or preparing to return back to work?
Here's a guide to properly storing breast milk either through hand expression or pumping.
Rule of 4's
The way I used to remember how to store my breast milk after pumping was the Rule of 4's.
- Keep milk at room temperature. Breastmilk is OK for up to 4 hours after pumping at room temperature (up to 77°F).
- Refrigerate it. Breastmilk is OK in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Place milk in the freezer. If you're not going to use refrigerated breastmilk within 4 days of pumping, freeze it right after pumping.
- Use cooler packs. You can put breastmilk in a cooler or insulated cooler pack with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours after pumping. After 24 hours in a cooler the breastmilk should be refrigerated or frozen.
Personally, I never produced enough milk to stash any in the freezer, but these guidelines are provided by womenshealth.gov with other helpful tips!
Storage bags I used most often were these Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
If you'd rather not use disposable bags, a clear and clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid works great too!
A great way to keep things organized in your fridge are these mDesign Container Bins
If you are working towards creating a stash in your freezer, here are some tips:
Tips for Freezing Breast milk
- Clearly label milk containers with the date the milk was expressed. Include your child's name if you are giving the milk to a child care provider.
- Freeze in small amounts (2 to 4 ounces, or ¼ to ½ cups) for later feedings.
- Leave an inch or so from the milk to the top of the container, because it will get bigger when freezing.
- Wait to tighten bottle caps or lids until the milk is completely frozen.
- Store milk in the back of the freezer, not on the shelf of the freezer door, so that it doesn't start to thaw out.
Organize and store your breast milk using this Milkies Freeze"First In, First Out" storage system
Below is a guide to storing fresh breast milk for use with a healthy, full-term baby
Place | Temperature | How long | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
Countertop, table | Room temperature (up to 77°F) | Up to 4 hours | Containers should be covered and kept as cool as possible. Covering the container with a clean cool towel may keep milk cooler. Throw out any leftover milk within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. |
Refrigerator | 40°F | Up to 4 days | Store milk in the back of the refrigerator. When at work, it's OK to put breastmilk in a shared refrigerator. Be sure to label the container clearly. |
Freezer | 0°F or colder | Within 6 months is best. Up to 12 months is acceptable. | Store milk toward the back of the freezer where the temperature is most constant. Milk stored at 0°F or colder is safe for longer durations, but the quality of the milk might not be as high. |
Storage: Tips for Thawing and Warming Up Milk
- Thaw the oldest breastmilk first.
- Breastmilk does not need to be warmed. Some moms prefer to serve it at room temperature. Some moms serve it cold.
- Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator overnight.
- If you decide to warm the breastmilk:
- Keep the container sealed while warming.
- Hold it under warm, not hot, running water, or set it in a container of water that is warm, not hot.
- Never put a bottle or bag of breastmilk in the microwave. Microwaving creates hot spots that could burn your baby and damage the milk.
- Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, not hot.
- Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. Do not shake the milk.
- Use breastmilk within 24 hours of thawing it in the refrigerator. This means 24 hours from when the breastmilk is no longer frozen, not from when you take it out of the freezer.
- Once breastmilk is thawed to room temperature or warmed after being in the refrigerator or freezer, use it within 2 hours. If you have any leftover milk when the baby is finished feeding, be sure to throw it out within 2 hours.
- Do not refreeze breastmilk after it has been thawed.
If you have more questions, your doctor and lactation consultants are great resources.
Do you have any tips and tricks you like to use when storing breast milk? What method works best for you?
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“Pumping and Storing Breastmilk.” Womenshealth.gov, 9 July 2018, www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk.
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