BREASTFEEDING MADE EASIER AT HOME AND WORK

See also: Family Support -- Pumping -- Breastfeeding and Pumping Accessories

Storing Breast Milk

It is important to know the guidelines for storing breast milk properly so that you always give your baby fresh milk. Any container used to store milk should be clean and sterile. Always try to leave an inch or so from the milk to the top of the container since frozen milk expands. After pumping your milk, it is helpful to label the storage container. Always use the oldest dated milk first. Colostrum, or the first milk expressed in the first few days after delivery, can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Mature milk, or breast milk that comes in six days after the birth of your baby can be stored in the following ways:

View the complete text and printable version of Storing Breast Milk.

Text last updated June 2004

The following publications and organizations provide additional information on storing breast milk:

Publications

1. A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding (Copyright © AAP) - This fact sheet encourages women to breastfeed, and provides practical information on topics such as, how to know if the baby is getting enough food, how to help the baby latch on, and being careful about your diet and medications while breastfeeding.
   
   
2. Breastfeeding Basics #4: Common Concerns (Copyright © NNCC) - This publication explains some of the problems and concerns that may develop for you and your baby. It provides information on preventing sore nipples, uncomfortable breasts, milk leakage, and breast infections.
   
   
3. Breastfeeding: Breast-Pumping for Your Healthy Baby (Copyright © Breastfeedingbasics) - This fact sheet provides helpful information on pumping breast milk and breast milk storage.
   
   
4. Common Concerns When Storing Human Milk (Copyright © LLLI) - This article details specific instructions for breast milk storage, as well as the visual characteristics and odor of human milk.
   
   
5. Human Milk Storage Information (Copyright © LLLI) - This fact sheet provides storage guidelines for breast milk. This would include what temperature to store breast milk at, what to store it in, and what to do with frozen milk and how to thaw it.
   
   
6. Using a Breast Pump (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) - This fact sheet is meant to aid in the general use of breastpumps, breastmilk storage and preparing to return to work.
   
   

Organizations

1. American Academy of Family Physicians
   
   
2. American Academy of Pediatrics
   
   
3. Breastfeeding Basics
   
   
4. Breastfeeding Support Consultants / Center for Lactation Education
   
   
5.   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
   
   
6. Human Milk Banking Association of North America
   
   
7. International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
   
   
8. La Leche League International
   
   
9. Lactation Education Resources
   
   
10. Linkages Project
    
    
11. National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
    
    
12.   National Library of Medicine, NIH, HHS
    
    
13.   National Women's Health Information Center, OWH, HHS
    
    
14.   Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, (WIC) USDA
    
    
15. World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action
    
    

= Indicates Federal Resources