Are you storing the pumped breast milk correctly?

Many mothers choose to pump breast milk so that their babies can get the best nourishment. The reasons can be anywhere from the baby not latching 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 your best for your baby’s health and well-being.

However, when you pump breast milk, it also needs to be stored correctly.

In today’s blog, we will explore how breastmilk can be stored 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, this section might help you.

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 correctly attached, the breast pump can be switched on to start pumping breast milk. 

When you get yourself an electric breast pump, you should read the user manual carefully to understand how the breast pump works. You will also need to ensure that the flanges are of the correct size. A good flange will have just enough room for your nipple to move freely during the pumping session. Anything too big or too small might cause pain and discomfort.

During pumping, your breasts need to be held in position.

For the perfect hands-free comfort and for the convenience of pumping anytime, anywhere, a pumping bra can be very helpful. So, consider getting yourself a pumping bra if you plan to go for breast pumping.

Mummy Shermaine wearing Skye Pump Bra.

How long can you keep breastmilk out of the fridge?

It is generally recommended to store breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after expressing it. If you are unable to do so immediately, you can keep freshly expressed breast milk at room temperature for up to 6-8 hours. 

However, it is important to store the breast milk as soon as possible in order to preserve its quality and prevent bacterial growth.

If the room temperature is very hot, it is best to store the breast milk in a cooler with ice packs to keep it at a safe temperature.

It is also a good idea to use a cooler or insulated bag if you need to transport the breast milk for any reason.

Please remember that breast milk that has been left out at room temperature for longer than 8 hours should be discarded, as it may not be safe for your baby to consume.

How to store breastmilk in the refrigerator? 

When storing baby milk in the refrigerator, it is important to keep the temperature at about 4 degrees celsius and store the bottles in the back of the refrigerator 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 the breast milk within 3-5 days if possible, as the quality of the breast milk may begin to degrade after this time.

If you have expressed breast milk that you know you will not use within 7 days, you can also store it in the freezer. 

How to store breastmilk in the deep freezer?

Use a clean, airtight container to store the breast milk. Leave an inch or two of space at the top of the container if you are using a bottle to allow for expansion as the breast milk freezes.

You should place the container of breast milk in the back of the freezer, away from the door, as this area tends to be the coldest. Avoid placing the breast milk in the door of the freezer, as the temperature tends to fluctuate more in this area.

Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months, but the quality of the breast milk may begin to degrade 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 may create hot spots that could burn your baby. Once thawed, use the breast milk within 24 hours.

Do not refreeze breast milk that has been thawed.

Tips on storing breastmilk 

Here are some tips for storing breast milk in the refrigerator:

1. Label the breast milk with the date it was expressed, as well as the time it was expressed if you are expressing it multiple times in a day. This will help you keep track of how old the breast milk is and use it in a timely manner.
   
   
2. Store the 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.
   
   
3. Place the breast milk in the back of the refrigerator, away from the door, as this area tends to be the coolest. Avoid placing the breast milk in the door of the fridge, as the temperature tends to fluctuate more in this area.
   
   
4. 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 may also refer to our instagram reel demonstrated by Thomson Parentcraft Centre.

Breast pumping is a good option for mothers to continue providing breastmilk for their babies.

Regular pumping can also help you keep up your milk supply to meet the baby’s demand.

While breast pumping might not be the most comfortable or joyful experience, the benefits of breastmilk make it totally worthwhile.

So, hang in there, mummy! Give yourself a pat on the back for being an amazing mum and continue being awesome.

Sources: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320771/

https://www.babydestination.com/how-long-does-breast-milk-last

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