Storing Expressed Breast Milk

• Can be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C): use within 4 hours.
• Refrigerator (≤ 4 °C): use within 4 days.
• Freezer: use within 6 months; acceptable up to 12 months in a deep freezer.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Containers for Storing Breast Milk

• Use glass or BPA free hard plastic containers with a tight lid.
• Special breast milk freezer bags.
• Bottle nipples are not recommended for a lid as milk contamination is possible through the nipple holes.
• Do not use bottle liner bags. These are thinner plastic bags that may break when frozen.

How to Clean Breast Milk Containers

For full term babies:

• Wash containers in hot soapy water
• Rinse well with hot water.
• Place containers on a clean dry surface and allow them to air dry.
• If the manufacturer’s instructions allow, containers may also be cleaned in the dishwasher.

For babies who need extra care:

Some babies require additional precautions including those who are:

• Premature
• Low birth weight under 2 months old
• Having a weakened immune system

For these babies, speak with your doctor or healthcare team about the safest way to store breast milk and clean containers. Hospitals may provide sterilized containers when needed.

How to Store Breast Milk Safely

 

 

Storing Tips:

• Label containers with date and time.
• Store containers at the back of the fridge and freezer (coldest spot).
• Refrigerate or chill freshly expressed breast milk within 1 hour if not feeding your baby. After the storage time has passed, throw out the breast milk.
• Store in smaller amounts.
• Cool fresh expressed breast milk before adding to chilled or frozen breast milk.
• Never refreeze thawed milk.
• Leave a 1 inch space at the top of the container when freezing.
• Use any leftover milk within 2 hours after the feeding ends.

Travelling with Expressed Breast Milk

The following instructions are for fresh, refrigerated and frozen expressed breast milk.

Safe storage & transport:

• Carry breast milk in a cooler bag with ice packs.
• Make sure to use within 24 hours.
• If not used within 24 hours, throw away the unused breast milk.
• Frozen breast milk that has thawed can be kept in the cooler bag with ice pack for up to 24 hours.

Warming breast milk:

• Warm by placing the container in a bowl of very warm water or holding it under warm running tap water.
• Frozen milk should not be left to thaw at room temperature due to potential increase in bacterial count.
• Avoid microwaving, since it can create hot spots and damage nutrients.

Do not refreeze breast milk once it has started to thaw