Breastmilk Storage Guidelines

First you must decide on the container: bottles or bags.

Whether you use bottles or bags, you must make sure that they are BREAST MILK STORAGE CONTAINERS.

The CDC recommends

the following concerning breast milk storage guidelines:
Room Temp: 6-8 hours
Cooler with ice pack: 24 hours
Refridgerator: 5 days
Freezer: 2-3 months (see temp requirements on CDC link)
Deep Freeze: 6-12 months (see temp requirements on CDC link)

All of the above is ASSUMING you are storing your breastmilk in an approved breastmilk storage container or bag.

Here is a neat video on how to store your breastmilk in the freezer and take up very little space.

The CDC also recommends the following heating breast milk process: 1. If frozen, Thaw in the fridge or 2. Thaw/warm by swirling in a bowl of warm water until warmed. DO NOT: : thaw/warm in microwave and DO NOT : refreeze thawed breastmilk.

Also when reheating, do NOT shake it, simply swirl it around some. It is ok for it to have some clumpies of fat. It is not homogonized so the fat/water will often separate and not completely mix back up during reheating.

Other rules: Once thawed, it must be used within 24 hours. Once reheated, it must be used within 1 hour. You cannot put it back in the freezer once thawed. Remember EBM is alive. It contains good things but also it will contain some bacteria so you must follow the storage/reheating and usage rules.

Have a Comment or Question?

Do you have a comment or question? Share it!

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Back from Breastmilk Storage to Breastpumps page

Go from breastmilk storage to askthelactationconsultant.com