Expressed breast milk is the best food for your baby to have when you’re not there. So how do you store and use your milk safely? Show
Share this content If you’re returning to work, heading to a gym class or simply want your partner to give a feed so you can catch up on some sleep, you can express your breast milk and store it for your baby to have when you’re not around. Expressed milk keeps most of its health-giving benefits, so if you have to miss a feed, it’s far better for your baby than any type of formula. But good hygiene is vital to ensure that stored milk is safe for your baby – read on to find out how to store breast milk properly. Which breast milk storage method is best?Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen. That’s because freshly expressed milk has the best bacteria-fighting properties and is higher in antioxidants, vitamins and fat than milk that has been refrigerated or frozen.4 How long to store your expressed breast milkIf you have expressed breast milk cleanly and safely, you can store it at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, depending on how soon you want to use it. Follow this storage location and temperatures guidelines for freshly expressed breast milk (for healthy term babies)2,3:
* Very clean conditions means rigorously following the guidance in our article on cleaning and sanitising your breast pump.These guidelines for storing and defrosting breast milk are a recommendation – contact your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist for further information. If your baby is in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care ward, your hospital may have stricter recommendations for cleaning and storage. If you’re refrigerating or freezing expressed milk, always label the bottles or bags with the amount and the date it was pumped, so you can track and manage your stored milk. Guidelines for using expressed breast milkStored breast milk tends to separate into layers, with the fat (cream) rising to the top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the layers before feeding your baby. Vigorous stirring or shaking can damage some of the milk’s nutritional and protective components.5 When your baby feeds on expressed breast milk from a cup or bottle, bacteria from his mouth can naturally end up in the milk. For this reason, it’s best to throw away any leftover, partly drunk milk within one to two hours of his initial feed. To avoid wasting expressed milk, it’s always a good idea to store it in small amounts, and only use what you need.2 How to store breast milk in the refrigerator2,3Follow these guidelines to store expressed milk safely in the fridge:
How to store breast milk in the freezer2,3Read on for how to freeze breast milk safely:
How to defrost breast milk2,3Take care when defrosting breast milk to make sure it’s safe for your baby:
How to warm your stored breast milk2,3Healthy, full-term babies can drink breast milk at room temperature or warmed to body temperature. Some have a preference, others don’t seem to mind.
Why does my stored breast milk smell odd?You may notice that your refrigerated or defrosted breast milk can sometimes smell different. This is because an enzyme called lipase breaks down fats and releases fatty acids – a process that helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Some mums report that their stored milk has a soapy or rancid smell. But if you’ve followed all the safe-storage guidelines in this article, it will be perfectly fine to use.2 Breast milk storage on the goIf you have to transport your milk between work and home or daycare, use a cooler bag with ice packs.2 For more on pumping and storing milk on the move, read our article on travelling and pumping. References
Can I put breast milk back in fridge after baby drinks from it?If your baby did not finish the bottle, the leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming milk in smaller amounts.
How will I know if breast milk is spoiled?Some people describe a “soapy” smell or taste in their milk after storage; others say it is a “metallic” or “fishy” or “rancid” odor. Some detect a “sour” or “spoiled” odor or taste. Accompanying these changes are concerns that the milk is no longer good for the baby.
Can I use breastmilk that has been in the fridge for 5 days?Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of the refrigerator for up to four days in clean conditions. However, it's optimal to use or freeze the milk within three days.
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