Storage Guidelines
Did You Know?
Once baby drinks from a bottle, milk expiration changes due to the accelerated bacterial growth when saliva mixes with milk.
Preparation and Storage of Breast Milk
Store
Label milk with the date it was expressed and the child's name if delivering to childcare. Store milk in the back of the freezer or refrigerator, not the door.
Freeze milk in small amounts of 2 to 4 ounces to avoid wasting any.
When freezing, leave an inch of space at the top of the container; breast milk expands as it freezes. Milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. If you don’t plan to use freshly expressed milk within 4 days, freeze it right away.
Thaw
Always thaw the oldest milk first. Thaw milk under lukewarm running water, in a container of lukewarm water, or overnight in the refrigerator. Never thaw or heat milk in a microwave. Microwaving destroys nutrients and creates hot spots, which can burn a baby’s mouth.
Never refreeze thawed milk.
Feed
Milk can be served cold, room temperature, or warm.
To heat milk, place the sealed container into a bowl of warm water or hold under warm running water. Do not heat milk directly on the stove or in the microwave.
Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by putting a few drops on your wrist. It should feel warm, not hot. Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. If your baby did not finish the bottle, leftover milk should be used within 2 hours.
Clean
Wash disassembled pump and feeding parts in a clean basin with soap and water.
Do not wash directly in the sink because germs in the sink could contaminate items.
Rinse thoroughly under running water. Air-dry items on a clean dish towel or paper towel.
Using clean hands, store dry items in a clean, protected area.