When storing breast milk for home or child care use, be sure to wash your hands before pumping/expressing breast milk. Always wash containers in hot, soapy water and rinse them thoroughly. Containers should be labeled with name, month, date and year to ensure the milk is used in the order it was pumped/expressed.
The type of storage containers is based on your preference: glass, plastic or bag. Remember as the milk freezes, it expands. Do not add fresh milk to already frozen milk. Do not save milk from a used bottle to use at a later time. Only use one bottle per feeding. To help prevent any waste, try storing breast milk in small containers of 2 to 4 ounces.
Temperatures and time for storing (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations):
- Room temperature (up to 77° F) no more than six to eight hours. Should be kept cool and covered.
- Insulated cooler bag (5-39° F) up to 24 hours. Keep ice pack in contact with milk containers.
- Refrigerator (39° F) up to five days. Milk must be stored in the back of the refrigerator.
- Freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate doors (0° F) for three to six months. Store in the back of the freezer.
- Chest freezer or upright deep freezer (-4° F) for six to 12 months. Store in the back of the freezer.
To thaw frozen milk, run the container under warm water, or thaw in the refrigerator and warm under water before feeding. Do not shake milk vigorously — this will destroy the nutritional value. Instead, gently rock or swirl the milk before feeding. Breast milk should not be heated directly on the stove and never warmed in a microwave.
Sanford Health offers support for every mom, whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping or formula feeding. Learn more about lactation services.
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Posted In Children's, Health Information, Women's
