How to store Breast Milk Instructions

Breast milk is a living fluid that contains infection-fighting cells (antibodies). Pre-pumped (expressed) breast milk needs to be stored in a certain way so that it remains effective in protecting your baby against infections. The following guidelines are for storing breast milk for a healthy, full-term infant.

How long can breast milk be stored?

• Milk can be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature, or 60–85°F (15.6–19.4°C). However, it is acceptable to allow the milk to sit for 6–8 hours if the pump parts and containers are well cleaned.
• Milk can be stored for 3 days in a refrigerator at less than 39°F (3.9°C). However, it is acceptable to allow the milk to sit for up to 8 days if the pump parts and containers are well cleaned.
• Milk can be stored for 2 weeks in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator.
• Milk can be stored for 3–6 months in a freezer unit with a separate door.
• Milk can be stored for 6–12 months in a deep freezer at -4°F (-20°C). A deep freezer is a chest or stand-alone freezer that is not opened very often and is kept at a colder temperature than a regular freezer.

How should I store breast milk?

• Milk may be stored in:
  • A glass container.
  • A hard, BPA-free plastic container.
  • A plastic bag specially designed for storing breast milk. Many women like these because they take up less space than other containers and can be attached directly to the breast pump.
• Store your milk in 2–4 oz. (60–120 mL) servings. This makes it easier to thaw the milk. It also helps you avoid having to throw out milk that your baby does not drink.
• Leave an inch or so at the top of the bag or bottle so the milk has room to expand as it freezes.
• Label each container with the date and time the milk was pumped so that you use the milk in the order that it was pumped.
• If you will be freezing the milk, freeze it within 24 hours of pumping. Store it in the back of the freezer to prevent the milk from being affected by temperature changes when the freezer door is opened.

How do I thaw frozen breast milk?

• Frozen milk can be thawed:
  • In a refrigerator.
  • Under warm, running tap water.
  • In a pan of warm water that has been heated on the stove.
• Do not heat milk directly on the stove or in the microwave. The milk will heat unevenly, and it may burn the baby. It will also destroy some of the milk’s infection-fighting properties.
• Thawed milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but it should not be refrozen.
• If you want to freeze freshly pumped milk along with milk that is already frozen, take these steps to prevent the fresh milk from thawing out the frozen milk:
  • Chill the fresh milk in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before adding it to the frozen milk.
  • Make sure that the amount of fresh milk you add is smaller than the amount of frozen milk.