Are you returning to work or have a busy schedule ? You can still give your baby breast milk. Expressing and storing breast milk will help to keep your breast milk supply up and your baby can still get the benefits of drinking breast milk.

How long does breast milk keep ?

There are a number of ways you can store breast milk .

• at room temperature for up to 6 hours ( temperature shouldn’t be more than 25 degrees celsius )
• in a fridge (4 degrees celsius or colder ) for up to 5 days. Store it at the part of the fridge where it is the coolest and away from meat, eggs and uncooked food
• in a cool box filled with ice packs for 24 hours
• in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator for 2 weeks
• in a home freezer (freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate  doors at negative 18 degrees celsius or lower ) for up to six months

 
Research has noted that the longer you store breast milk in a fridge or freezer, the greater the loss of vitamin C in the milk. You should also note that milk that was expressed when the baby was a newborn may not completely meet the needs of an older baby. Storage guidelines for hospitalized and preterm babies may be different.

What kind of container can i use store breast milk ?

 
You need to wash your hands clean before expressing or handling breast milk. The breast milk should be stored in a clean, capped glass or a hard plastic BPA free container. You can also use special  plastic bags designed for milk collection or storage.

Note that these plastic bags might tear, leak and are easily  contaminated than  hard containers. Place these bags in a hard plastic food storage container with a tightly sealed lid for extra protection.

Do not store breast milk in a plastic bag or disposable  bottle liners designed for general use.

Can i add freshly expressed milk to already stored milk ?

Yes , you can add freshly expressed milk to already refrigerated or frozen milk as long as it was expressed the same day. You need to thoroughly cool the freshly  expressed milk  in the refrigerator or cooler with ice packs before  adding to previously chilled or frozen milk.  Adding warm fresh milk to frozen milk  will cause the frozen milk to partially thaw.

What is the best way to store breast milk ?

 
It is essential to label each  container with the date you expressed the milk using water proof labels and ink. If the milk is being stored at your baby’s day care , add your baby’s name to the label. Place the container at the back of the freezer where it is the coolest. You can also store the milk temporarily in an insulated cooler if you don’t have a freezer or fridge.
 
Fill each container with what your baby will need for one feeding. You can also store smaller amounts for unexpected situations . Breast milk expands when it freezes so do not fill the container to the brim.

How do i thaw breast milk ?

 
Thaw older milk first. Put the frozen container in the fridge the night before. You can thaw it by running it under warm water or placing the container in a bowl with warm water. It is not ideal to thaw the milk rapidly using a microwave  or on a stove. Some parts of the milk may be too hot for the baby. Do not re-freeze breast milk once it is thawed.

NOTE

If your baby refuses to drink thawed breast milk,  it might help to shorten the time used for storage.
 
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