Breast Milk Storage

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Breast Milk Storage

For storage freezer bags, I would recommend using the Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bags (50 Count), BPA Free.  They are a bit larger than the Medela bags and I found the Medela bags leak.    If you have a deep freezer or a large freezer, I would recommend this milk storage organizer The First Years® by Learning Curve™ Milk Storage Organizer; it holds up to 20 bags and works with all brands of storage bags.

For most of us, we are unaware that breast milk color varies.  It can be bluish, yellowish or brownish. My varied based on what I ate, but in general my breast milk was more greenish blue color.  It is also normal for breast milk to separate (the fatty part of the milk goes to the top). Shake the bottle or sealed bag, and the fat will go back into the milk.

In order to thaw frozen breast milk, thaw the milk slowly by swirling the container of milk in warm water or by putting the container in the refrigerator the day before it is to be used. Don’t use hot water to thaw breast milk. Never thaw frozen breast milk in a microwave oven. The milk could get too hot and burn your baby’s mouth. Microwaving can also damage valuable proteins in breast milk.

Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but it should not be refrozen.

One of the best things I purchased was a bottle warmer that cost $20.  This is not the exact bottle warmer, but it seems to be very similar The First Years Quick Serve Bottle Warmer. Prior to the bottle warmer Brett and I warmed his bottles in hot water the first couple of months and it would take more than 5 minutes, but once we got the bottle warmer it took less than 30 seconds to warm the bottle.  Not sure why we did not do this sooner.

General rule of thumb for storing breast milk

  • At room temperature (less than 77°F) for 4 to 8 hours
  • At the back of a refrigerator for 3 to 8 days
  • At the back of a freezer for up to 3 months
  • In the deep freezer for up to 6 months.