La lactancia materna. Mejor para el bebé. Mejor para la mamá.
BREASTFEEDING MADE EASIER AT HOME AND WORK
See also: Family Support -- Pumping -- Breastfeeding
and Pumping Accessories
Storing Breast Milk
It is important to know the guidelines for storing breast milk properly so that you
always give your baby fresh milk. Any container used to store milk should be clean and
sterile. Always try to leave an inch or so from the milk to the top of the container since
frozen milk expands. After pumping your milk, it is helpful to label the storage
container. Always use the oldest dated milk first. Colostrum, or the first milk expressed
in the first few days after delivery, can be stored at room temperature for up to 12
hours. Mature milk, or breast milk that comes in six days after the birth of your baby can
be stored in the following ways:
At Room Temperature:
- At 60 degrees F for 24 hours
- At 66-72 degrees F for 10 hours
- At 79 degrees F for 4-6 hours
- At 86-100 degrees F for 4 hours
In the Refrigerator:
- At 32-39 degrees for up to 8 days
In the Freezer*:
- In a freezer compartment contained within the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- In a self-contained freezer, either on top of or on the side of the refrigerator for 3 - 4
months
- In a deep freezer with a constant 0 degrees F for 6 months or longer
*It is helpful to freeze the milk in small amounts, such as
2 to 4 ounce servings, so there is less waste and you can choose the amount of milk depending
on the baby's hunger.
Bottles and Containers
You can store breast milk in bottles that fit directly onto your breast pump. After
pumping, simply remove the pumping tubing, cover with the bottle lid, label the milk, and
put it in the refrigerator. Many breast pump carrying cases also come with built-in,
cooler-type compartments for storing ice pack and/or the freshly pumped bottles of milk.
If used correctly, these do stay cold enough to leave your pumped milk in until you can
get home to store the milk in the refrigerator or freezer.
Research is conflicting about the advantages and disadvantages of storing milk in glass
versus plastic. However, glass bottles or containers are best for freezing breast milk
because it offers the most protection from contamination. The second choice is clear, hard
plastic, and the last choice is the cloudy hard plastic containers. Wait to tighten the caps
or lids until the milk is completely frozen.
Storage Bags
If you want to freeze your breast milk in bags, you can purchase storage bags that fit
directly onto your breast pump and that are made for freezing milk. They are
pre-sterilized, thick, have an area for labeling, and seal easily. After pumping, simply
remove the pumping tubing, fold the bag over, making sure all air is out of the bag, and
seal it. Make sure to label the bag with the date before freezing. When you want to use
the milk, you can cut the storage bag with sterile scissors. If the storage bag has a
built-in pouring spout, it is easy to pour the milk into a bottle. Other storage bags can
be used in the kind of bottle that uses disposable liners, so there is no need to transfer
the milk.
Thawing and Handling Stored Breast Milk
It is normal for stored breast milk to separate in its container into two parts, what
looks like cream and then a lighter colored milk. Some human milk also varies in color and
can be blueish, yellowish, or brownish. Just gently shake the milk before feeding to mix
it back together.
Breast milk doesn't take long to thaw or warm up. Never place a bottle or bag of breast
milk in the microwave. Milk doesn't heat uniformly in the microwave, so you won't have
control over the temperature and could burn your baby. All you have to do is hold the
bottle or frozen bag of milk under cool and then warm water for a few minutes. If warm
running water is not available, you can heat up a pan of water on the stove. Remove the
pan from the heat and place the container into the warm water. Never warm the container
directly on the stove. Shake the milk, then test it on your wrist to see if it's warm
enough for your baby.
Once frozen milk is thawed, it can be refrigerated, but not re-frozen.
Current as of August 2005
The following publications and organizations provide more information on storing
breast milk:
Publications
Breastfeeding: Recommendations - Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk - The CDC provides guidelines for how to properly store fresh human breast milk for full term infants, based on research conducted on the safety of breast milk at different temperatures over time. This fact sheet also provides information on how to prepare and thaw breast milk for later use. http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm
Breast Milk: How to Pump and Store it (Copyright © AAFP) - This publication explains when you should start pumping, how often and for how long you should pump, as well as how much milk you should expect to get. It also provides guidelines for storing breast milk. http://familydoctor.org/828.xml
Breastfeeding - Expressing Milk (Copyright © AAP) - This publication explains how to manually express milk and gives suggestions on selecting and using a breast pump. It also provides guidelines for storing breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer and thawing frozen milk. http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZRYZIYKRD.htm?&sub_cat=1
Common Concerns When Storing Human Milk (Copyright © LLLI) - This article details specific instructions for breast milk storage, as well as the visual characteristics and odor of human milk. http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug98p109.html
Human Milk Storage Information (Copyright © LLLI) - This fact sheet provides storage guidelines for breast milk. It explains what temperature to store breast milk at, what to store it in, and what to do with frozen milk, and how to thaw or reheat it. http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html
Organizations
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS
-
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, (WIC) USDA
-
Womenshealth.gov, OWH, HHS
-
American Academy of Family Physicians
-
American Academy of Pediatrics
-
Breastfeeding Basics
-
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
-
La Leche League International
-
National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
-
World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action
= Indicates Federal Resources
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