What is the proper way to store breastmilk once you have pumped?

Answer 1

First of all, the best container to store your milk in are approved breastmilk containers, such as breastmilk storage bottles (Medela, Avent, Gerber and others sell them) or in breastmilk storage bags (Medela, Lansinoh are my two favorites).

You can store freshly expressed milk at room temperature (66-72 degrees) for up to 4 hours.

You can store it (fresh) in a cooler with frozen ice packs for 24 hours. If it's been frozen, it's good in a cooler until it thaws. Then it needs to be used, refrigerated (24 hours) or discarded.

You can store it in the fridge for up to a week.

You can store it in a freezer (the kind connected to your fridge) for up to 3-4 months.

You can store it in a deep freezer for up to 6-12 months.

When you freeze your milk, it actually loses some of its "live cells", but not enough to render it worthless by any means. It is not better to freeze your milk than to refrigerate it. It is best only to freeze milk if you have more than 6 or 7 days' worth in your fridge, or if you need to transport milk for a long time and need it to stay extra cold (for example, grandma's taking the baby to an all-day event where she will be carrying the milk in a cooler).

To warm breastmilk that's been fridge'd, run it under warm water until it's the right temperature. DO NOT EVER microwave it. Breastmilk has fat globules that can overheat and burn your baby. You should also not shake it vigorously as it can damage the live cells. To thaw and warm frozen milk, run it under the tap or put it in a bowl of warm water. (I've found that breastmilk bags are the easiest way to store and thaw frozen milk - it takes very little time to warm it up)

Storage for refrigerated or thawed milk is usually a few hours. Once it's thawed, it needs to be consumed, not saved.

Breastmilk is a pretty hardy substance, and if your baby consumes milk that is past its freshness, it will probably not hurt him or her. My baby has had "old milk" on accident (finding a bottle behind the couch for example) and had no ill effects.

Answer 2

use those presterilized plastic baggies. They are thin, so easy to thaw out.

Room temperature 4 hours, refrigirator 5-7 days Freezer 6 months

Answer 3

5 days in the fridge and up to three months in the freezer is correct, the stuff stores pretty well..

Answer 4

you can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or you can freeze it for up to 3 months! Breast milk takes very little time to thaw out so I would suggest freezing it if you dont' intend to use it right away.

Answer 5

Here's a wonderful reference: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

Answer 6

In a bottle in your fridge. And not for too long.

Answer 7

They have these save bags that you can by to but the breast milk in,... Then you should freeze the milk it last longer

Answer 8

in the fridge.