Tips on Proper Handling and Storage of Breastmilk

Expressing and storing breastmilk is something most breastfeeding mothers do at some point. This is especially common practice for working mothers returning to their jobs after maternity leave. Breastmilk is touted as being 'best for baby' because of its nutritional and immunological properties. However, to maintain these properties, breastmilk must be handled properly.

Breastmilk has remarkable anti-microbial properties. However, everything coming into contact with the breastmilk should have been previously cleaned in hot soapy water, or sterilized to further ward off harmful bacteria. Generally, a mother will express the breastmilk into a container that is compatible with the breast pump and store it in another container or milk storage bag.

After being expressed, there are rules that should be observed when storing the breastmilk, to ensure that it maintains its beneficial properties and does not spoil.

1-Breastmilk can be held at room temperature for 10 hours.

2-Breastmilk can be stored in a refrigerator (less than 40 degrees F) for up to 8 days

3-Breastmilk can be stored in a regular freezer (at 0 degrees F) for 3 to 4 months

4-Breastmilk can be stored in a deep freezer (less than 0 degrees F) for 6 months

Breastmilk is best stored in plastic bags with the air gently squeezed out. There are bags created specifically for the purpose of storing breastmilk, and I recommend using those. These can be expensive, however. Some mothers use bottle liners, but the plastic in these bags is not as thick and the milk can freezer burn or pick up smells from your freezer. Whatever the container, it is important to remove the air if it is going to be stored for any length of time, as freezer burn will destroy the milk.

It is important to never pour freshly-expressed breastmilk into a container that has refrigerated or frozen breastmilk in it. It can quickly sour this way.

When using breastmilk storage bags, I fill them with 8 ounces of milk. The lines on the bag generally will measure out 6 ounces, but because these bags are expensive I put as much milk in them as possible. Also, if you do encounter a bag that breaks (breaks usually occur at the seams), write to the company and let them know. They will likely send you a coupon for a replacement box of bags.

There are also several rules for using breastmilk that has been stored. Most importantly, breastmilk should NEVER be put in the microwave, as it will destroy the nutrients in it. To heat it, run the container under hot or warm water. Continually swirl the container to mix hot and cold milk. This will also help homogenize the fats that may have separated out during the freezing process.

Once the breastmilk has been thawed, it should not be frozen again. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but after that should be discarded. So, when thawing breastmilk, it is important to thaw only as much as you need. Freezing ice cube trays filled with breastmilk will yield approximately one ounce servings that are available when just a little more milk is needed. This will also eliminate waste.

Following these tips will assure that you will not lose breastmilk to souring or freezer burn, and that your breastmilk will maintain as many nutrients and immunological properties as it did when it was first expressed.