Find out how to properly store and use frozen breast milk. Show
Photo: Monthira/Shutterstock Producing more breast milk than your baby needs is a great problem to have. In my experience as a physician, most breastfeeding moms worry about producing too little milk, especially when they start pumping in addition to nursing, so that's why you've more than likely received the advice to never throw out your breast milk, but freeze it instead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), freshly expressed breast milk can be only safely stored in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) for 4 days. However, fresh breast milk can be stored in the freezer at 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) or colder safely for 6 to 12 months. Here's how to freeze and unfreeze breast milk safely: How to Freeze Breast Milk:
How to Thaw Breast Milk:
When you breastfeed, your milk is always warm and ready for your baby. If that’s not possible, you’ll want to pump and store breast milk for the times you’re away from your baby. You can store pumped milk in the refrigerator, the freezer, an insulated bag, and—for a limited amount of time—at room temperature. Here are some answers about breast milk pumping and storage, including what to store breast milk in, how much to store, how long to store it, and some other common questions about using stored milk for your baby. From temperature to timing, cooling and warming, this information can help you get started. Tip: Making it work for you Next to breastfeeding, freshly expressed milk is best. If you’ve just pumped, give that milk to your baby first (before thawing frozen milk) when you and your baby are going to be apart. What kind of containers should I use to store breast milk?A range of clean breast milk storage bottles works well for storing breast milk. Here are some suggestions:
You’ll want to avoid thin disposable feeding bottle liners or plastic sandwich bags for storing milk in the freezer because they can split when frozen. How much breast milk should I store in each container?Fill and store each container with the smallest amount of breast milk your baby is likely to take. It is better to warm up more milk than to have to throw away any leftover milk in the container. Here are some general guidelines that can be helpful:
Tip: Making it work for you When freezing your milk, always leave room at the top of the container. As liquids freeze, they expand, and breast milk is no exception. Leaving space for this to happen can help make your life easier. How long can I store breast milk?That depends on where you store it. For healthy babies who are at home, check the breast milk storage guidelines table. If your baby is in the hospital (preterm or sick), check with your baby’s health care provider for advice about milk storage. While it’s true that the longer your milk is stored, the more vitamins and antioxidants it loses, it’s also true that stored breast milk still has more health benefits than formula, so it’s worth it to continue to pump and store milk for your baby.
Breast milk storage guidelines NOTE: When thawing frozen milk, label as thawed when completely thawed (i.e. no ice crystals present). Use the time when completely thawed to base acceptable time limits for use rather than when it is taken from the freezer. These guidelines for storage and thawing of breast milk are a recommendation. Contact your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist for further information.
Storage times may vary for premature or sick babies *Storage times may vary for preterm or sick babies. Sources: Jones, F. , Best Practice for Expressing, Storing and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes and Child Care Settings. Raleigh, NC: Human Milk Banking Association of North America, 2011; Mohrbacher, N. Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple: A Guide for Helping Mothers. Amarillo, TX: Hale Publishing, 2010. Tip: Making it work for you Label your milk storage containers with the date and time using a sticky label or non-toxic marker. When you’re choosing frozen milk, use the oldest first. If your baby is at a facility that cares for other babies or toddlers, be sure to include your baby’s name on the label to avoid confusion. Other common questions about using stored breast milk
To learn more about breast pumping and breastfeeding, check out these articles:
This is general information and does not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away. Every baby is different. If in doubt, contact your physician or healthcare provider. Can you freeze freshly expressed breast milk?Don't fill bottles or bags more than three-quarters full, as breast milk expands during freezing. Store frozen breast milk at the back of the freezer where the temperature is most consistent. Keep it away from the walls of self-defrosting freezers.
Can I put expressed milk from fridge to freezer?Breast milk that's been cooled in the fridge can be carried in a cool bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours. Storing breast milk in small quantities will help avoid waste. If you're freezing it, make sure you label and date it first.
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