Breastfeeding/pumping mothers, I implore you: have a good breast milk storage system. If you don’t plan to use expressed breast milk within 4 hours, you should put it in the fridge (in a bottle). If you don’t plan to use it within 4 days, you’ll need to freeze it. In the refrigerator, it can be stored for up to 6 months. *You may not want to pump too far because the composition of breast milk and your baby’s needs can change over time.
You can store breast milk in containers, but the first choice for most pumping mothers is the breast milk storage bag, which is more convenient and takes up less space. In my opinion, this is an area where there is room for product development, because there simply aren’t too many impressive products on the market…… But the most popular at the moment is still the Lansinoh storage bag.
The Milkies milk tray allows moms to freeze expressed breast milk in 1-ounce portions (note – there is no 1-ounce line indicator on the tray, so the measurement is not perfect). Each tray freezes 8 sticks of about 1 ounce, and is designed to be specific so that each bar fits into the mouth of the bottle (that’s why you can’t just use a regular ice tray – well, you can, it would be super annoying). Some people prefer this option, but others find it easy to “get lost” due to pouring and shipping. You may also want to put the tray with a lid in a large refrigerator airtight bag to better seal the whole thing.
Kiinde also manufactures the Twist breast milk storage system, which I have to say is pretty cool. With Twist, you can pump, store (freeze), groom, reheat and feed – all without having to transfer your milk. On top of that, only a small portion (the nipple) needs to be cleaned. People were interested in this (even though he went to MIT, I went to the tech college – a real tech college – we can still be friends). One thing to consider with Kiinde Twist bags is that they take up more freezing space compared to Lansinoh bags or similar (because they don’t lay flat).
What Is the 5-5-5 Rule for Breast Milk?
The 5-5-5 rule is a general guideline for the storage and use of breast milk. It helps to ensure the safety and quality of expressed breast milk:
- 5 hours at room temperature: Breast milk can be left at room temperature (about 77°F or 25°C) for up to 5 hours. After this, it is best to discard all the remaining milk.
- Keep it in the refrigerator for 5 days: If you need to preserve breast milk for a long time, you can keep it safely in the refrigerator (32-39°F or 0-4°C) for up to 5 days.
- 5-12 months in the refrigerator: For longer storage, breast milk can be kept in the refrigerator. It is recommended to use within 5-12 months for best quality. The back of the fridge is the coldest place, so it’s best to keep the milk container there.
How long can breast milk be kept?
How long breast milk can be stored depends on the temperature at which it is stored:
- At room temperature (77°F or 25°C): Breast milk can be safely stored for up to 5 hours. It is very important to store it in a cool, shady place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- In the refrigerator (32-39°F or 0-4°C): Breast milk can be stored for up to 5 days. Make sure the milk is stored at the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most stable.
- In the refrigerator (-0.4°F or -18°C and below): Breast milk can be stored for a long time, preferably for 5 to 12 months. The longer it is stored, the more the quality may deteriorate over time, but it is still safe to use.
Can my baby put it back in the fridge after breastfeeding?
Yes, you can put your baby’s breast milk back in the fridge after they’ve finished their breast milk, but there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Use breast milk within 5 days of keeping it in the refrigerator.
- Only reuse milk that your baby has drunk directly from the same container. The leftover milk that your baby has not finished drinking can be refrigerated and drunk at the next feeding.
- Make sure containers and milk are properly disposed of for hygiene. Use a clean container and store the milk in the back of the refrigerator, away from raw food.
Can you refrigerate half of breast milk?
Yes, you can refrigerate breast milk that your baby has already partially consumed. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Use a clean container for leftover milk.
- Make sure the milk is refrigerated within two hours of initial use.
- Label the container with the date of pumping.
- Refrigerated milk needs to be used within 24 hours to maintain its quality and safety.