How Do I Store My Breast Milk?
You can store your pumped breast milk by freezing and/or refrigerating it in clean containers:
- Use bottles with screw caps, hard plastic cups with tight caps, or pre-sterilized nursing bags.
- Store breast milk in 2- to 4-ounce portions to avoid waste.
- Label each container with the date the milk was pumped and your baby’s name if needed for childcare providers.
How Long Can I Store My Breast Milk?*
For healthy full-term infants:
- Room Temperature:Up to 4 hours (at no warmer than 77°F, or 25°C)
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days (32°–39°F, or 0°–3.9°C)
Freezer:
- 2 weeks in a freezer compartment inside the refrigerator
- 6 months in a self-contained freezer connected on top or on the side of the refrigerator (kept at 0°F or –18°C)
- 12 months in a deep freezer (kept at –4°F or –20°C)
Store milk in the back of the freezer, not in the door, and leave about an inch of space at the top of the container for expansion.
How Should I Defrost Frozen Milk?
Thaw frozen milk using one of these methods:
- In the Fridge: Place it in the fridge for 24 hours. Warm it by running warm water over the container or using a bottle warmer.
- In Warm Water: Place the frozen milk in a bowl of warm water or run warm water over it until it reaches room temperature or is lukewarm.
Important Tips:
- Never microwave breast milk to avoid hot spots that can burn your baby’s mouth and destroy nutrients.
- Use thawed milk within 24 hours and do not refreeze it.
- Once your baby starts drinking from the bottle, use the milk within 2 hours.
My Thawed Milk Looks or Smells Different. Is This OK?
It’s normal for thawed milk to look or smell different:
- Early milk may appear orange, and mature milk might look blue, yellow, or brown.
- Milk may separate into a creamy layer and a lighter layer; swirl gently to mix.
- Thawed milk may smell or taste soapy due to fat breakdown, but it’s still safe. If your baby dislikes it, you can heat the milk to scalding right after pumping, then cool and freeze it to prevent fat breakdown.
How Do I Clean Bottles and Pump Parts?
Before the first use:
- Wash and sterilize nipples, bottles, and breast pump supplies by boiling for 5 to 10 minutes (check manufacturer’s directions for exact times).
- You can also use a countertop or microwaveable sterilizer.
After each use:
- Wash bottles, nipples, and pump parts in hot, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher to prevent bacterial contamination.