Breast Milk Storage Tips: How to Safely Store and Preserve Your Milk
- What is the Recommended Duration and Temperature for Storing Breast Milk?
- What Containers Should I Use to Store My Breast Milk?
- How Should I Label Stored Breast Milk?
- How Should I Clean Breast Pump Parts and Storage Containers?
- Additional Tips for Safe Breast Milk Storage and Handling
- How to Identify Milk That’s No Longer Safe?
- What is The Ideal Milk Temperature for Babies?
On some occasions, breastfeeding parents may choose to pump or hand-express milk in order to use it at a later point. Storing expressed or pumped breast milk correctly is vital to preserving its nutrients and ensuring your baby benefits fully. Proper breast milk storage ensures the safety and quality of your milk while maintaining its nutritional value. Here are essential tips and guidelines for storing your breast milk to keep it fresh and nutritious for your little one.
What is the Recommended Duration and Temperature for Storing Breast Milk?
Proper storage of breastmilk depends on the temperature and storage conditions. Here are the general guidelines for optimal and acceptable storage durations based on where you are keeping the milk:
What Containers Should I Use to Store My Breast Milk?
When choosing containers for storing your breast milk, the right material is important to retain its nutrients and ensure your baby gets the most benefit from it.
• Glass containers and polypropylene containers are ideal as they are safe for repeated use and help preserve the nutritional value of your milk.
• Special breast milk storage bags are a convenient and space-saving option, ideal for freezing milk. However, it is recommended to use these bags only once. Reusing storage bags can pose an infection risk
• Avoid using steel, polyethylene, and BPA-containing containers as they may degrade the beneficial cells in breast milk that support your baby’s immunity.
How Should I Label Stored Breast Milk?
Properly labeling your breast milk ensures that you use the oldest milk first, keeping it fresh and reducing waste. For each container of stored milk, be sure to label:
• The date and time the milk was expressed.
• Always use the oldest milk first to make sure it stays fresh and safe for your baby.
How Should I Clean Breast Pump Parts and Storage Containers?
Proper cleaning of breast pump parts and storage containers is crucial to prevent contamination. Here are steps to ensure safe cleaning:
• Dismantle all equipment: Take apart the pump parts, bottles, and other components for thorough cleaning.
• Wash with hot, soapy water: Use hot, soapy water to clean all the parts and storage containers. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue.
• Ensure everything is completely dry: Allow the components to air dry or use a clean towel to dry them completely before storing.
• Avoid chemical disinfectants: Do not use chemical disinfectants on the pump or containers to the extent possible, as they may leave harmful residues that could contaminate the milk. Stick to simple soap and water for effective cleaning. Chemical disinfectants may be used when clean water is unavailable.
Additional Tips for Safe Breast Milk Storage and Handling
• Thawing Milk: Always thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator or by placing it in warm water. Never microwave breast milk as it can lead to hot spots that may burn your baby and change the nutrition value of the milk.
• Avoid Refreezing: Never refreeze milk that has already been thawed.
• Storing Milk for Travel: Use insulated coolers with ice packs for short trips to store milk at a safe temperature until you can refrigerate it.
• Mixing Milk from Different Pumping Sessions: It is best not to mix milk from different pumping sessions to maintain optimal freshness and safety. However, if mixing is necessary:
– Ensure the milk is cooled to match the temperature of the stored milk before combining.
– Always label the mixed milk with the date of the oldest milk in the batch.
How to Identify Milk That’s No Longer Safe?
Spoiled milk can pose serious risks, including gastrointestinal distress and infection. Here are the key signs to look out for:
Scent
Fresh breast milk typically has a sweet or slightly soapy smell. If it develops a sour or rancid odor, this is a strong indicator that the milk has gone bad. However, some mothers may notice a sour smell due to high lipase activity, which can alter the scent without indicating spoilage.
It is important to learn the smell of your own freshly expressed milk so that you can identify any changes that might suggest spoilage or other issues.
Appearance
Fresh breast milk is generally white, light yellow, or bluish-white. Upon storage, it may naturally separate into two layers: a creamy layer on top and a watery layer at the bottom. If swirling the milk does not mix these layers back together and it appears chunky or curdled, it is likely spoiled. Unusual colors, such as green or brown, can also indicate spoilage, especially if accompanied by clumps.
Taste
If you notice a sour or rancid flavor when tasting it, this is another sign of spoilage. Breast milk can sometimes have a soapy or metallic taste due to high lipase levels, but if the taste deviates from what is normal for your stored milk, it could indicate spoilage.
What is The Ideal Milk Temperature for Babies?
Spoiled milk can pose serious risks, including gastrointestinal distress and infection. Here are the key signs to look out for:
Key Points on Milk Temperature
- Preferred Range: Babies generally prefer milk warmed to between 97.7°F and 99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C). This temperature closely imitates the natural warmth of breast milk.
- Testing the Temperature: To ensure the milk is safe, place a few drops on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm but not hot. If it feels cold, warm it a bit longer; if hot, let it cool before feeding.
Safe Warming Methods
• Warm Water Bath: Submerge the bottle in a bowl of warm water or run warm tap water over it for a few minutes.
• Bottle Warmers: Use a dedicated bottle warmer designed to prevent overheating. Always double-check the milk’s temperature after warming.
• Warm Water Bath: Submerge the bottle in a bowl of warm water or run warm tap water over it for a few minutes.
• Bottle Warmers: Use a dedicated bottle warmer designed to prevent overheating. Always double-check the milk’s temperature after warming.
What to Avoid
Microwaves: Do not microwave breast milk, as it can create dangerous hot spots and degrade nutrients.
Disclaimer
Global Breastfeeding Clinic Ltd does not accept any liability for the information or advice provided on this website or any content incorporated by reference. The information shared is intended for general guidance and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice. We encourage all individuals to consult with a healthcare provider regarding their specific health needs. If you have concerns about your health or breastfeeding, please seek personalised advice from your healthcare provider. In case of urgent health issues, please visit the nearest Emergency Department.
While this information provides a helpful overview, we understand that breastfeeding challenges can be complex and unique to each parent-baby pair. At Global Breastfeeding Clinic, we offer personalised consultations to address your specific needs and concerns. Our experienced consultants provide evidence-based guidance and practical support throughout your breastfeeding journey. To learn more about our services or schedule a consultation, visit www.globalbreastfeedingclinic.com! We’re here to support you every step of the way.