Storing Breastmilk
You can express breastmilk and store it in clean containers. Your partner or a sitter can feed your milk to the baby. This way, your baby gets the benefits of breastmilk even when you can’t be there at feeding time.
Guidelines for Breastmilk Storage
Always use a clean container to collect and store breastmilk. Never pour warm expressed breastmilk into a bottle with cold milk. And be sure to label and date each bottle of milk. To store breastmilk safely, see the chart below.
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Breastmilk
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Storing
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Fresh Milk
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Refrigerate if not fed to infant within four hours
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Refrigerated Milk
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Use within seven days
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Frozen Milk
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Use within 12 months from freezer
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Thawed milk
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Use within 24 hours. Keep refrigerated. Do not refreeze.
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Warmed Milk
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Use right away
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Unused Warmed Milk
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Throw away
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Source: Williams-Arnold, LD. Human milk storage for healthy infants and children. Sandwich, MA: Health Education Associates, Inc., 2000:16-20.
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Warming Stored Milk
Thaw frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water. Before using it, warm any breastmilk that has been in the refrigerator. For your baby’s safety:
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Use the oldest milk first
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Warm a container of milk by putting it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Or, use a bottle warmer set on low.
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Gently swirl the milk to mix it. Then spill a few drops on your wrist. The milk should be near room temperature.
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DO NOT put the milk in a microwave. This could create pockets of hot liquid that can burn the baby’s mouth.
Date Last Reviewed:
7/5/2007
Date Last Modified:
7/5/2007