Breastmilk Collection & Storage

Storing Breastmilk

• It is normal for pumped milk to vary in color, consistency and scent depending on your diet. Stored milk separates into layers. Cream will rise to the top. Gently swirl the warmed bottle to mix the milk layers.
• You can continue to add small amounts of cooled breastmilk to the same refrigerated container throughout the day. Avoid adding warm milk to already cooled milk.
• Store your milk in glass or plastic containers, or in milk storage bags made especially for breast milk. 
• Freeze milk in 2 to 5 oz portions. Small amounts will thaw more quickly. You will waste less milk this way and will avoid over-feeding. Liquids expand when frozen. Be sure to leave some extra room at the top of the container so the bottle or bag won’t burst.
• Seal containers tightly. Write the date on a piece of masking tape on the bag or bottle. Use the oldest milk first.
• If you do not plan to use the milk within a few days, freeze it right away in the coldest section of your freezer. Do not place the bottle or bag up against the wall of the freezer.

Defrosting

• Thaw milk overnight in the refrigerator, or hold the bottle under warm running water to quickly thaw. You can also place the sealed container in a bowl of warm water for 20 minutes to bring it to body temperature.
• Thawed milk is safe in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Do not refreeze.
• Never microwave breastmilk. Microwaving can cause severe burns to baby’s mouth from hot spots that develop in the milk during microwaving. Microwaving can also change the composition of breastmilk.

Tips for Feeding Breastmilk with a Bottle

• Choose a slow-flow bottle nipple and limit feeding size to 3 to 5 oz of milk for babies younger than 6 months.
• Remove the bottle nipple out of the baby’s mouth periodically to let the baby catch his or her breath.
• Pause to burp the baby when needed.
• If baby seems fussy in between feedings it may be because of thirst. Offer 1 to 2 oz of milk. Babies 4 months or older can have a sip of water from a cup.
• Avoid over-feeding. Offer a pacifier or teething toy to give your baby more sucking enjoyment after finishing a bottle.
• Sometimes, babies do not fully finish bottles of breastmilk. Mothers wonder if they can re-refrigerate and re-use this milk. We have no information about whether or not this is safe to do. Please check with your doctor.

Your Milk Supply and Your Baby's Needs

• We used to think that mothers needed to make more and more milk as their babies grew. Scientists now know that a healthy milk supply remains fairly constant over the 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.
• During the early weeks, babies eat very frequently and grow very quickly. By Day 10, babies should recover any lost birth weight. For the next few months, little girls should gain about an ounce a day, and little boys slightly more than an ounce.
• Around 3 to 4 months, a breastfed baby’s rate of growth begins to slow down. Continuing to gain weight rapidly after this time may contribute to obesity later on. This means that the milk supply established in the early days will continue to satisfy the baby until it is time to introduce solids at 6 months.
• By the end of the first week of life, women who are breastfeeding one baby normally make between 19 to 30 oz of milk each day. Infants between 1 and 6 months of age normally drink an average of 19 to 30 oz a day. An average size “meal” for a baby is between 3 to 5 oz of breastmilk. Formula is harder to digest and less well absorbed. Formula fed babies may need larger feeds. Consult your doctor for advice.

Storage Guidelines

Freshly Expressed:   

• Room Temperature: 4 hrs
• Cooler with ice packs: 24 hours
• Refrigerator: 5-7 days
• Refrigerator Freezer: 3-4 months
• Deep Freezer (chest freezer): 6-12 months

Thawed Breastmilk (previously frozen):     

• Room Temperature: Do not store
• Cooler with ice packs: Do not store
• Refrigerator: 24 hours
• Refrigerator Freezer: Never refreeze thawed breastmilk
• Deep freezer (chest freezer): Never refreeze thawed breastmilk