Safe Breast Milk Storage Guidelines

PC: @mengsha_mengsha

Anyone who has ever pumped breast milk knows that this stuff is liquid gold.  In my opinion it's totally justified to cry over spilled milk (when it's mothers milk).  Don't worry, we've got all the do's and don't of breast milk for you today.

Storage Guidelines:

The Medela Breastmilk Storage Solution is the perfect starter pack for newly pumping moms!

• Milk that is freshly pumped can be stored at room temp for up to 6 hours (4 hours is ideal), in an insulated bag for up to 24 hours  (using blue ice), in the fridge (39 degrees F) for up to 8 days (5 days is ideal), in the freezer up to 6 months (3 months is ideal--make sure NOT to store it in the door), and in a deep freezer for up to 12 months.
• Milk that was thawed in the fridge (but not warmed) can be stored at room temp for up to 4 hours, in an insulated bag for up to 12 hours (using blue ice), and in the fridge for up to 24 hours.  Do NOT re-freeze.  
• Milk that was previously frozen and warmed but not fed is good in the fridge for up to 4 hours.
• Any milk that was partially fed needs to be discarded.

Tips:

-Store milk in small amounts (2-4 oz) to make it quick to thaw and to avoid waste.

-Store milk in milk storage bags and lay them flat as they freeze so that you can stack the bags and optimize your freezer space.

-When freezing in a container be sure to leave some room at the top to allow for expansion. Make sure the container is airtight.

-Label your milk with the date and the amount.  You will know when it was originally expressed and can use the oldest milk first.

-Never add warm milk to cold milk -Gently swirl the milk to combine the milk fat with the rest of the milk.

Boon Orb Bottle Warmer

-To thaw frozen milk, either allow it to defrost for 12 hours in the fridge OR Warm it by putting it in a bowl of hot tap water or under running water (a bottle warmer would work as well).

-NEVER use boiling water or a microwave to thaw milk. -Always test the milk's temperature before feeding it to your baby.

XOXO,

Written by: Natalie Gubler