Everything you need to know about storing breast milk

We explain.

Storing breast milk: this is how you do it

You keep your milk supply – not surprisingly – in a cool place, for example in the fridge or in the freezer. Bacteria grow less quickly there. And that’s important, because babies don’t have such a good resistance yet. Another way to prevent bacteria in breast milk is to express as hygienically as possible. Wash your hands well beforehand with soap and water. In addition, thoroughly clean all parts of the pump that come into contact with your breast or the milk. Then dry everything well.

You can store breast milk in special storage bags, cups or bottles. Clean them beforehand with hot water and soap. Boiling bottles is not necessary. Did you express at work or elsewhere? Keep it in a cooler bag on the way home and put it in the fridge at home.

How long can you store breast milk?

The shelf life of breast milk depends on how you store it. In addition, the more hygienic you pump, the longer the milk will last. At room temperature (16 to 25 degrees) your milk supply can be kept for about four to six hours. Of course you don’t put the storage bottles in a sunny spot, but as cool and dark as possible. Breast milk can be stored for about three days in the refrigerator (at 4 degrees). Put the expressed milk in the back of the fridge, because this is where it stays coldest. Do you take breast milk with you in a cooler bag? Then you can use it for about 24 hours. However, it is good to place the cooling elements against the milk and to open and close the cooling bag as little as possible. Finally, you can freeze breast milk. A handy option for the longer term, because in the freezer your milk supply stays good for about six months. Place the bottles or bags at the very back, because this is where they are least bothered by a door that keeps opening and closing. Tip: do not fill the bottles more than three quarters. Milk expands in the freezer and if the bottle is too full, it bursts. If you plan to use the breast milk within three days, it is best to keep it in the refrigerator. Then the nutrients are better preserved.

Do you really want to get to work organized and well-arranged? Then keep the milk in small portions so that you can thaw only what you really need. Do not forget to put the date of flasks on it.

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Thawing breast milk

The best way to thaw breast milk from the freezer is to put it in the refrigerator. Once the milk has thawed – usually after about 12 hours – you can use it for about 24 hours. Thawing breast milk at room temperature is less hygienic. Heating frozen milk in the microwave or in boiling water sounds useful, but is not wise. As a result, the milk does not heat up evenly, so that your baby can burn itself on hot spots. To speed up the process, you can hold the bottle, container or bag under a tap with lukewarm water. Oh, and don’t be alarmed if your thawed breast milk looks a little crazy. Sometimes there is a thick layer on it, there are flakes in it or it smells a bit sour. This is because the enzymes (proteins) in the milk start digesting the fatty acids. Stir the milk or gently swirl the bottle until it looks normal again.

Source: Nutrition Center, 24Baby, Medela

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