Where is the best place to store breast milk in freezer?

The Best Place to Store Breast Milk in the Freezer
Storing breast milk properly is crucial for ensuring its safety and nutritional quality for your baby. When it comes to freezing breast milk, the location within the freezer plays a significant role in maintaining its integrity.
Optimal Storage Location
The best place to store breast milk in the freezer is at the back of the freezer, rather than on the shelves or in the door. This is because the back of the freezer maintains a more consistent temperature, which is essential for preventing the milk from partially thawing and refreezing, a process that can compromise its quality. The door of the freezer is subject to temperature fluctuations every time it opens, making it a less reliable spot for long-term storage.
Container Considerations
When freezing breast milk, it’s important to use appropriate containers. Breast milk should be stored in containers specifically designed for this purpose, such as BPA-free plastic bottles or breast milk storage bags. Avoid using disposable bottle liners or regular plastic bags that are not intended for breast milk storage, as these can leak or break, leading to waste.
Freezing Duration
For optimal freshness, breast milk can be stored in the freezer for about six months, although it can remain safe for up to twelve months if necessary. However, it’s advisable to use the oldest milk first to ensure that none goes to waste.
Additional Tips
To further protect the quality of stored breast milk, keep it away from the walls of self-defrosting freezers, as these areas can experience temperature changes that may affect the milk. Always label your containers with the date of expression to keep track of how long the milk has been stored.
In summary, for the best results in storing breast milk in the freezer, place it at the back of the freezer in appropriate containers, and adhere to recommended storage durations. This careful approach will help ensure that your baby receives the safest and most nutritious milk possible.

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 do you prevent freezer burn on breast milk?

How to prevent freezer burn on milk? Gently squeeze the bottom part so that milk flows upward. Tightly seal the bag from end to middle. Make some space for this part. Carefully allow the milk to fill in this area. Seal it! Remove air from the breastmilk bag. Use counter top edge to lay your bag against and seal.

Where to store breastmilk in the freezer?

Store breast milk toward the back of the deep freezer. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so do not fill the storage container all the way to the top. To thaw breast milk, put the bottle or bag in the refrigerator overnight, hold it under warm running water, or set it in a container of warm water.

Can I mix breast milk from different days?

Can I add freshly expressed breast milk to already stored milk? You can add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk. However, thoroughly cool the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.

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 long will my freezer stash of breastmilk last?

Breast milk can be stored at 0° F or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best. Count the age of the milk from the first time it was frozen, regardless of when it was moved. Moving frozen breast milk between freezer locations should be done quickly to ensure that the milk stays frozen.

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.

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.

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.

How often should I pump my freezer stash?

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that babies between 2-5 months of age will enjoy between 2-4 ounces per feeding. If your baby feeds every 2 hours, that means that you should aim to pump approximately 25 ounces each day. Note: This number may vary, depending on whether you are also nursing your baby.