What is the best way to store breastmilk in the freezer?

The Best Way to Store Breastmilk in the Freezer
Storing breastmilk properly is crucial for maintaining its quality and ensuring the health of your baby. As more parents embrace breastfeeding, understanding the best practices for freezing breastmilk becomes essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do it effectively.
Choosing the Right Containers
When it comes to freezing breastmilk, the choice of container is paramount. Breastmilk storage bags are highly recommended due to their freezer-proof design, which allows for easy labeling and minimizes the risk of leaks. Alternatively, hard plastic containers or glass jars can also be used, but they should be specifically designed for freezing to withstand low temperatures without cracking.
Preparation Before Freezing
Before you freeze expressed breastmilk, it’s important to cool it down quickly. After pumping, place the milk in the back of the refrigerator to chill it before transferring it to the freezer. This step helps preserve the milk’s nutrients and prevents bacterial growth. If you’re out and about, using an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs can keep the milk safe for up to 24 hours.
Freezing Techniques
When freezing breastmilk, it’s advisable to store it in small portions, typically 2 to 4 ounces. This allows for easier thawing and reduces waste, as you can thaw only what you need. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag, as breastmilk expands when frozen.
Labeling and Dating
Always label your containers with the date and time of expression. This practice helps you keep track of how long the milk has been stored. Frozen breastmilk can be kept for up to six months in a standard freezer, but for optimal quality, it’s best to use it within three months.
Thawing and Using Frozen Breastmilk
When it’s time to use the frozen breastmilk, the safest method is to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you need it more quickly, you can place the container under warm running water or use a bowl of warm water. Avoid using a microwave, as it can create hot spots that may scald your baby. Once thawed, breastmilk should be used within 24 hours and should not be refrozen.
Conclusion
Storing breastmilk in the freezer is a practical solution for breastfeeding parents, allowing them to provide their babies with the best nutrition even when they are away. By following these guidelines—choosing the right containers, cooling the milk promptly, labeling it correctly, and thawing it safely—you can ensure that your stored breastmilk remains safe and nutritious for your little one.

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

The trick: Freeze the breast milk in ice cube trays. Then, when the milk is frozen, pop the cubes out and transfer them into a regular freezer bag. “This is my favorite way of storing milk,” says Charity Pitcher-Cooper, a lactation consultant and nurse at my pediatrician’s office.

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.

Can you mix frozen milk from different days?

According to Verywell Family, it is safe to combine breast milk from different days as long as you follow the proper guidelines. The milk must be stored in clean containers and kept at the same temperature. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 are the disadvantages of freezing breast milk?

Deep freezer.
Keep in mind that research suggests that the longer you store breast milk — whether in the refrigerator or in the freezer — the greater the loss of vitamin C in the milk. It’s also important to note that your breast milk changes to meet your baby’s needs.

Which container is best for storing breast milk?

When collecting breast milk, be sure to store it in clean containers such as screw cap bottles, hard plastic cups with tight lids, or heavy-duty bags that fit directly into bottles. Avoid using ordinary plastic storage bags or formula bottle bags, ask these can easily leak or spill.