Storage of Expressed Breast Milk

Expressed breast milk is always superior to baby formula. So, if you are a working mother, who is unable to breast feed the baby at regular intervals, you may express and store it. It may also happen that some babies simply refrain from suckling the breast and in this case too, you can feed them with expressed breast milk. However, use of stored breast milk must be done in the proper manner. You can express breast milk manually or with the help of an electric or manual breast pump. Make sure to wash the hands properly before .
It should expressed into cleansterile containers that have to be labeled as per the date of storage. Plastic feeding bottles with tight tops can be used for this purpose. You may also go for disposable baby bottle liners. You may also get plastic bags specially meant for storing expressed breast milk. If the baby is in the age group of one to three months, store breast milk in two to four ounce portions. For older babies, you may increase the amount to 4 to 6 ounce portions. This will help to avoid wastage of breast milk.

If you plan to use it within five days, then store the bottle in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is set at a temperature of 4 degree Celsius. You may also freeze breast milk for a period of two weeks. This is applicable for single-door refrigerators. In case of refrigerators with separate freezer compartment, you may store breast milk for around three months.

If you maintain a temperature of minus 18 degrees in the freezer, then, the storage period can be extended to six months. If you want to transport stored breast milk, you have to use a cool box with a freezer brick. Make sure to transfer the milk to the refrigerator, as soon as you reach the destination. However, it is always advisable to store breast milk for a short period and use it at the earliest.