Breastfeeding:Breastmilk storage

How long is breastmilk safely stored for?

If you are breastfeeding and need to pump for any reason, you will most likely be storing your breastmilk. It is perfectly normal for pumped breastmilk to vary in color and consistency. You might even notice that the milk changes color and consistency each time you express it. This is because the milk that you produce is effected by what you eat and drink. When you pump your milk, it is okay to add small amounts of cooled breastmilk to the same refrigerated conatiner throughout the day as needed. However, you should not add warm milk to previously cooled milk. When storing your breastmilk, you should choose glass or hard plastic containers. You can also use milk storage bags that are made just for breast milk. If you decide to use storage bags, it is a good idea to place the bags inside of larger food storage bags for extra protection from punctures. You should freeze milk in small portions, 2 to 5 ounces is perfect. The smaller portions will defrost more quickly and you will waste less milk if your baby does not need all of it. Always seal the container tightly and write the date that the milk was expressed in the bag or container. You should always give your baby the oldest milk first to ensure that your frozen supply gets used.

When defrosting breastmilk, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. You can also hold the bottle under warm water or place the bag or bottle in a bowl of warm water to quickly thaw the milk. NEVER microwave breastmilk because it will change the composition and can also cause severe burns from hot spots in the milk. Thawed milk is safe in the refrigerator for 24 hours and once the milk is thawed it should not be refrozen. Discard any milk that your baby does not use once it has been thawed.

Comments: Breastfeeding - Breastmilk-storage

Comments 1 to 14 of about 14.
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hisbabymama85 - 726 days ago.
When i first started bfing I would only get 1-2oz at a time, now that she is almost 12weeks i pump 8oz at a time (every 3ish hours) I use the gerber bags and I dont mind them at all.

parsons04 - 811 days ago.
Hey guys! I am EBF, and just started pumping this week. My baby is 7 weeks and 4 days old, and I was wondering approximately how many ounces are you guys pumping at a time? I pump in the morning, and only done it twice yet, but I am getting between 3 and 3.5 ounces. Should I be getting more than that?

anxiousmami - 1050 days ago.
I plan on breastfeeding my baby I'm currently preggers with. I breastfed my daughter for about 15monthes. That was over 5 years ago. I really hope I have a great supply again and itsas successful as it was the first time.

KristinaA - 1260 days ago.
Yes, I lay them flat in the freezer, and I really liked the shape of the bag b/c they thaw really quickly when laid flat.

Heather12 - 1261 days ago.
I loved those bags. Every once in a while I would by the gerber brand but the Lansinoh were so much thicker. Do you lay them down flat in the freezer?

KristinaA - 1261 days ago.
Just want to say that I bought the Lansinoh breast milk storage bags and followed the directions on the box, and about half of them leaked through holes in the bag. Since I still have so many, and I have an abundance of milk, I'm going to keep using the ones that I have left, but I will try this page's suggestion of keeping them in another container in the freezer to avoid the holes, but I honestly can't imagine how they got the holes in my freezer.

Heather12 - 1330 days ago.
I always just put it straight into the freezer.

secondchance - 1330 days ago.
When you are going to freeze freshly expressed milk, do you have to let it cool to room temp before putting it in the freezer? Or can you pump, put it in the appropriate container, and put it directly in the freezer while it is still warm (body temp)???

Heather12 - 1367 days ago.
The milk is fine. You can go ahead and use it.

amandax - 1493 days ago.
Hey. How long can u have. Your. Breastmilk. Out of the fridge? Like if u go out on a day. Trip , how. Long can it. B sitting. In. Your bag@

luvbeingamom - 1628 days ago.
I would start about 2 or 3 weeks before going back to work. What worked for me is to feed my son first thing in the AM then pump. I did this for a few weeks and and that allowed me to have about a weeks supply in my freezer when i went back to work, it also helped b/c i have trouble getting my milk out when pumping so it helped boost my supply enough to help keep up with my sons eating when he was at daycare. As for the pump, i would wait until after the baby is born to get one. Your supply might help determine the type of pump you need. I had a hand pump that hardly worked for me and ended up beinga waste of money. I then had to get a double electric to keep up with him once i was back at work.

1sttimemom25 - 1629 days ago.
I am still pregnant but am debating getting a pump now or later. I would like to exclusively breastfeed while i am home with my baby for 6 weeks. but after i return to work i will be pumping. when should i start pumping to get a supply in the fridge for baby. should i start asap to bring in more milk sooner or a few days before i go back to work.

soulmama - 1629 days ago.
Okay, so I finished the last leg of my qualification process to become a breast milk donor today. A lab technician actually came to my job to draw the blood. Now I just have to wait a couple of weeks to get the okay to ship the milk off. I know a lot of mothers have problems keeping up a supply for their own babies, but if you have an oversupply and your baby isn't drinking it, please consider signing up to become a donor. I'll be the first to admit that it is not an easy process. You have to have both your doctor and the pediatrician sign off as well as have blood drawn and do a DNA donor sample, but to me it's worth it. I'm giving mine to the International Breast Milk Project. 75% goes to preemies here in the States and 25% goes to children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. If anybody has a lot of stored milk and is thinking about throwing it away, please consider volunteering. They need all the help and support they can get.

mama-mimi - 1652 days ago.
Does anyone know if breastmilk can be re-refridgerated? Its been in there for three days...I had a Dr's appt. and took it with us but ended up not using it. I'd like to pt it back in the 'fridge if I can to save it for another trip (or freeze it after it's time in the 'fridge is up)...Thanks!