Many mothers choose to pump breast milk so that their babies get the best nutrients. The reasons can be anywhere from the baby not latching on to the mother having to go back to work.
Whatever the reason, if as a mother you choose to pump, know that you are doing what you can for the health and well-being of your baby.
However, when you pump breast milk, it also needs to be stored correctly.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore how to store breast milk and some tips to make it easy for you to navigate pumping and storing.
How to pump breast milk?
First things first! If you are new to breast pumping, you may find this section helpful.
An electric breast pump provides the easiest way to pump breast milk. The flanges that come with the pump need to be attached to your nipples. Once the flanges are attached correctly, the breast pump can be turned on to begin pumping breast milk.
When you get an electric breast pump, you should read the user manual carefully to understand how the breast pump works. You’ll also need to make sure the flanges are the right size. A good flange will have just enough room for your nipple to move freely during a pumping session. Anything too big or too small can cause pain and discomfort.
During pumping, your breasts need to be held in position.
For perfect hands-free comfort and for the convenience of pumping anytime, anywhere, a pumping bra can be very useful. So, consider getting yourself a pumping bra if you plan to go for breast pumping.
Mummy Shermaine is wearing it Skye Pump Bra.
How long can you keep breast milk in the fridge?
It is generally recommended to store breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after expressing it. If you can’t do this right away, you can keep the newly expressed breast milk at room temperature for up to 6-8 hours.
However, it is important to store breast milk as soon as possible to maintain its quality and prevent bacterial growth.
If the room temperature is very warm, it is best to store the breast milk in a cooler with ice packs to keep it at a safe temperature.
It’s also a good idea to use a cooler or insulated bag if you need to carry breast milk for any reason.
Please note that breast milk left at room temperature for longer than 8 hours should be thrown away, as it may not be safe for your baby to consume.
How to store breast milk in the refrigerator?
When storing baby milk in the fridge, it is important to keep the temperature at around 4 degrees celsius and place the bottles at the back of the fridge to keep them as cold as possible.
Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. However, it is best to use breast milk within 3-5 days if possible, as the quality of breast milk may begin to decline after this period.
If you express breast milk that you know you won’t use within 7 days, you can also store it in the freezer.
How to store breast milk in the deep freezer?
Use a clean, airtight container to store breast milk. Leave an inch or two of space at the top of the container if you’re using a bottle to allow for expansion as the breast milk freezes.
You should place the breast milk container in the back of the freezer, away from the door, as this area is likely to be the coldest. Avoid putting breast milk on the freezer door, as the temperature fluctuates more often in this area.
Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months, but the quality of breast milk can start to decline after 3-4 months.
When you are ready to use the breast milk, thaw it in the refrigerator or by running the container under warm water.
Do not thaw breast milk in the microwave or on the stove, as this can affect the quality of the milk and can create hot spots that can burn your baby. Once thawed, use breast milk within 24 hours.
Do not refreeze thawed breast milk.
Tips for storing breast milk
Here are some tips for storing breast milk in the refrigerator:
- Label the breast milk with the date it was expressed, as well as the time it was expressed if you express it several times a day. This will help you track how old the breast milk is and use it in a timely manner.
- Store breast milk in a clean, airtight container. You can use breast milk storage bags, plastic or glass bottles with tight-fitting lids, or hard plastic containers specifically designed for storing breast milk.
- Put the breast milk in the back of the fridge, away from the door, as this area is probably the coolest. Avoid putting breast milk on the refrigerator door, as the temperature tends to change more in this area.
- If you are storing breast milk in bottles, be sure to leave an inch or two of space at the top to allow for expansion if the breast milk is frozen.
You can also refer to our instagram reel presented by the Thomson Parentcraft Center.
Breast pumping is a good option for mothers to continue to provide breastmilk for their babies.
Regular pumping can also help you maintain your milk supply to meet baby’s needs.
While breast pumping may not be the most comfortable or fun experience, the benefits of breastmilk make it well worth it.
So, hang in there, mommy! Give yourself a pat on the back for being an amazing mom and keep being awesome.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320771/
https://www.babydestination.com/how-long-does-breast-milk-last
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