Tips For Storing Breast Milk – Parenthood

Knowing tips for storing breast milk properly is of the utmost importance for mothers. Especially if they cannot give it directly to their children. It may be due to different daily occupations or other inconvenience. Either way, it’s a very good alternative.

Breast milk is arguably the best and most complete food for children. So storing it will allow the mother not to replace breastfeeding with formula. N ou will therefore give you tips for the store correctly. You will see how convenient and easy it is. 

Tips for storing breast milk

The first thing you need to know is when to express the milk using the pump. Next, we’ll take a look at where you should put it and how long it can stay in good condition. Finally, you will know what temperatures to store it at and how you should heat it to give it to the baby.

When should you express the milk using the pump?

There are three types of pumps to express breast milk: the electric pump, the one that works with batteries and the manual pump. All three do their job very well. The difference will be in the speed with which they express the milk and possibly the strength of the suction. Indeed, thanks to these parameters you can feel less discomfort in the nipples.

Regarding the time, there are several times which are ideal for extracting milk using the pump. It is best to do this an hour after the baby eats.  Or, if you already know how much milk he is consuming, do so simultaneously while he is eating from the other breast.

This action takes the same time as you take to breastfeed the baby. That is, about 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this as many times as you think is necessary to have a good supply of milk.

You may have doubts about how much you can extract. So, it is important to know that the  more you use the pump, the more milk you will produce thanks to the stimuli in your body. Remember that this condition also depends on the amount of water you drink. Also, your milk production will depend on the quality of your diet.

Where should I put the milk?

Specialists recommend using previously sterilized glass containers with tight-fitting lids. You can also use plastic containers or the famous storage bags for the pump. However,  first check that they are certified to preserve food. In addition, they must have passed the anti-leak tests. 

Another handy tip,  keep the exact amount of ounces your baby drinks each time. Then store it in  bottles, containers or bags. So you won’t have to throw away the excess.

How long does the milk stay in good condition and at what temperature?

In this last part of tips for storing breast milk, we’ll cover the topic of time and temperature. The storage time of milk varies depending on the temperature at which you store it. For example, at room temperature and in a cool place, it can last 6 hours. But in the refrigerator it will be kept for 24 hours. If you want to freeze it, however, it’s possible that it will stay in good condition for three weeks or more.

It doesn’t matter how long you store the milk. It should always be checked before giving it to the baby. Ideally, taste it, smell it and examine its color.

For added security, it is customary to label the containers in which you store milk. To do this, put a date and time on it. So you can have a more accurate record of how long it has been in stock.

How should the milk be heated?

If you freeze it, you must put it in the refrigerator 24 hours before using it.  Indeed, this will allow it to gradually return to its liquid state. If you cannot wait, you should place the container with the milk in lukewarm water, never hot. Then you have to shake it little by little until it becomes liquid.

The same procedure applies if you want to heat the milk. You should immerse the bottle in hot water, also called a “bain-marie”. When you consider that the temperature is optimal, remove it from the heat.  Then, as always, taste it to confirm that the temperature will not burn the baby’s delicate mouth.

You can already see that it is not complicated if you apply these tips for storing breast milk. These are simple steps, both for the extraction and for the administration of the product to the baby. Remember,  breast milk provides the best vitamins, antibodies, and defenses her body needs to grow healthy.