How do you store breast milk and how do you use it?

Storing Breast Milk: Best Practices
Storing breast milk safely is crucial for maintaining its quality and ensuring the health of your baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of proper preparation and storage techniques to preserve the safety and nutritional value of expressed breast milk.
Temperature Guidelines
Breast milk can be stored at various temperatures, each with specific time limits. At room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C), freshly expressed breast milk can be kept for up to four hours. In the refrigerator, it remains safe for up to four days at around 40°F (4°C). For longer storage, breast milk can be frozen. It is best to use a deep freezer or chest freezer, where milk can be stored at 0°F (-18°C) or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within six months is recommended for optimal quality.
Containers for Storage
When it comes to containers, breast milk can be stored in glass or hard plastic bottles, or in freezer bags specifically designed for breast milk. It is essential to leave some space at the top of the container, as breast milk expands when frozen. Additionally, avoid storing milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer, as temperatures can fluctuate there.
Avoiding Contamination
To minimize the risk of bacterial growth, breast milk should not be stored at temperatures higher than 77°F. After expressing milk, it should be chilled as soon as possible to maximize its freshness. When transporting milk, especially if you are away from home, use an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs to keep it cold.
Using Stored Breast Milk: Thawing and Warming
When it comes time to use stored breast milk, proper thawing and warming techniques are essential to preserve its nutrients. The best method for thawing frozen breast milk is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you need to thaw it more quickly, you can run the container under warm water or place it in a bowl of warm water.
Warming Milk
Once thawed, breast milk can be warmed gently. It is advisable to avoid using a microwave, as it can create hot spots that may burn your baby’s mouth and can also degrade some of the milk’s beneficial properties. Instead, warm the milk by placing the container in warm water or using a bottle warmer.
Using Thawed Milk
Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours and should not be refrozen. If your baby does not finish a bottle, any leftover milk should be discarded after one hour to prevent bacterial growth.
In summary, proper storage and handling of breast milk are vital for ensuring its safety and nutritional value. By following these guidelines, parents can confidently provide their babies with the benefits of breast milk, even when they are not physically present to breastfeed.

Is frozen breast milk better than formula?

Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen.

What is the 2 hour rule for breast milk?

If your baby did not finish the bottle, leftover milk should be used within 2 hours. Wash disassembled pump and feeding parts in a clean basin with soap and water. Do not wash directly in the sink because the germs in the sink could contaminate items.

What happens if breast milk is left out longer than 6 hours?

Bottom line. It’s best to chill, refrigerate, or freeze breast milk immediately after it’s expressed. If expressed milk is left out unrefrigerated, but it’s in a clean, covered container, it can sit at room temperature for between four and six hours. Milk that has been left out for longer should be thrown away.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

Breast milk does not need to be warmed. It can be served room temperature or cold.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

How long is breast milk good for after thawing?

Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

How long can freshly pumped milk sit out?

Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 4 hours, or up 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed; however, it is best to chill as soon as possible. Breast milk is best stored in the back of the refrigerator (39°F or 4°C), where there are fewer temperature fluctuations.

How soon after pumping does breast milk need to be refrigerated?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours. However, it’s optimal to use or properly store the breast milk within four hours, especially if the room is warm. Insulated cooler. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to one day.

Does pumping every 2 hours increase milk supply?

Pump more often, from both breasts
Many women wonder how often they should pump. A general guideline is to pump every three hours. But if you’re trying to produce more breast milk, you can: Try pumping both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for 48-72 hours.

How long can freshly pumped breastmilk be out?

Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.