What is the best way to store breast milk in the freezer?

The Best Way to Store Breast Milk in the Freezer
Storing breast milk properly is crucial for ensuring its safety and nutritional quality for your baby. As many parents know, the demands of breastfeeding can lead to the need for expressed milk to be stored for later use. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively freeze breast milk.
Choosing the Right Containers
When it comes to freezing breast milk, the choice of container is paramount. It is essential to use containers specifically designed for breast milk storage. This includes BPA-free plastic bottles, glass containers, or breast milk storage bags that are labeled as safe for freezing. Avoid using disposable bottle liners or regular plastic bags, as these can compromise the milk’s integrity and safety.
Portioning for Convenience
To make thawing and feeding easier, consider portioning the milk into smaller quantities. Many parents find that storing milk in 2 to 4-ounce portions works best. This way, you can thaw only what you need for a single feeding, minimizing waste. Flat storage is also recommended; laying bags flat in the freezer allows for efficient use of space and quicker thawing.
Freezing Guidelines
Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for about six months for optimal quality, although it can remain safe for up to 12 months. To maintain the best quality, place the containers towards the back of the freezer, away from the door, where temperatures are more stable. It’s also advisable to label each container with the date of expression to keep track of freshness.
Thawing and Using Frozen Milk
When it’s time to use the frozen milk, the safest method is to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you need it more quickly, you can run the container under warm tap water or use a bottle warmer. Avoid using a microwave, as it can create hot spots that may scald your baby. Once thawed, breast milk should be used within two hours if warmed or brought to room temperature.
Transporting Breast Milk
If you need to transport breast milk, it can be kept in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. This is particularly useful for outings or trips. Always ensure that the milk remains cool until it is ready to be used.
Final Tips
To maximize the quality of stored breast milk, avoid placing it against the walls of self-defrosting freezers, as these areas can fluctuate in temperature. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your expressed breast milk remains safe and nutritious for your little one, providing peace of mind for parents navigating the challenges of breastfeeding.

How to properly store breast milk in the freezer?

Using waterproof labels and ink, label each container with the date you expressed the breast milk. If you’re storing expressed milk at your baby’s child care facility, add your baby’s name to the label. Place the containers in the back of the refrigerator or freezer, where the temperature is the coolest.

How many bags of breastmilk should I freeze a day?

Multiply 12-16 ounces by 3-5 days. If you’ll be missing four feedings per day, multiply 12-16 ounces by 3-5 days, and you’ll get a total of somewhere between 36 and 80 ounces.

What is the best storage for frozen breast milk?

Transfer Frozen Portions Into Zippered Freezer Bags
You can use large silicone freezer bags, like Stasher bags, or large ziptop bags that are designed for the freezer. For long term storage (4-6+ months), we recommend transferring to a vacuum-sealed bag to keep the breast milk as fresh as possible.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

What is a good breastmilk freezer stash?

Most moms don’t need a large freezer stash, but a small emergency stash is a great idea. Babies from one month to six months old take in, an average of 24 ounces every 24 hours if they are feeding exclusively from the breast. If you would like to have a larger emergency freezer stash, you can plan on needing 24 ounces.

Is it better to freeze breast milk in bottles or bags?

A safe start would be freezing it in breast milk storage bags in 2 oz portions. The smaller portions make it easier to thaw exactly what baby needs and reduces wasted milk. This approach does mean you use a lot more storage bags so if that’s a greater concern for you re cost, plastic trash generated, etc.

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.

Why can’t you use Ziploc bags for breast milk?

Breast milk storage guidelines
Your choice of container is important when it comes to storing breast milk. Use clean containers made of glass or hard plastic that doesn’t contain bisphenol A (BPA). You can also use a plastic liner designed for breast milk. We do not recommend using Ziploc bags because they could leak.

Should I freeze breastmilk flat or upright?

If using breastmilk storage bags, squeeze the air from the top before sealing tightly. In general, place storage bags upright in another container or the milk may leak. But if the double zipper seal on the breastmilk storage bag is reliable, freezing the milk flat will result in faster thawing.