How to safely store breast milk for your baby? (Breast Milk Storage) Let's talk about this!

You know from experience how valuable and loving it is to breastfeed your baby. But sometimes, if you have to go out for some work, or if you are a working mother, you have to express some milk so that your baby does not miss the feeding time. Today, we are going to talk about how to properly store the expressed milk without harming the baby or reducing its nutritional value. This is a very important thing, because it directly affects the baby's health.

How do you properly store expressed breast milk?

You can store expressed (or pumped) breast milk in the fridge or freezer, but you need to be careful about the containers you use.

• Clean bottles: You can use bottles that have been washed well and have tight-fitting lids (those with screw caps).
• Hard plastic cups: These should also have a tight-fitting lid.
• Nursing bags: These are specifically designed for storing breast milk. Pre-sterilized bags are available in the market.

The most important thing is to freeze milk in small amounts rather than in large amounts at once. That is, it is best to freeze the milk in portions that are similar to the amount your baby drinks at one time, usually 2 to 4 ounces (about 59 to 118 milliliters). Then the milk will not go to waste. Imagine that you have frozen a large bottle. If your baby only needs a little, it is not a good idea to freeze the rest again. Then it will go to waste. That is why it is said to keep it in small amounts. Then you can take only the amount that is needed and give it to your baby.

Also, don't forget to write the date you expressed the milk on each container you put it in. If you send your baby to a daycare provider, it will be very useful to label it with the baby's name.

How long can breast milk be stored?

This is about breast milk given to healthy, full-term babies.

If it's at room temperature...

If you keep your expressed milk at room temperature (that is, no warmer than 25°C / 77°F ), it can be kept for up to 4 hours . However, it is best to refrigerate it as soon as possible.

If there's anything in the fridge...

If stored in the refrigerator (at a temperature between 0°C - 3.9°C / 32°F–39°F ), it can be stored for up to 4 days . Remember, it is best to store milk bottles in the back of the refrigerator rather than in the door. This is because when the door is opened and closed,Because the temperature changes.

If it's in the freezer...

When storing milk in the freezer, do not fill the container to the brim. Leave about an inch of space. This is because milk expands when it freezes, which means it takes up more space. If there is not enough space, the container may burst.

The length of time milk can be stored varies depending on the type of freezer:

• In the freezer compartment inside the fridge: In this location, it can be kept for up to 2 weeks .
• A self-contained freezer (attached to the top or side of the fridge): This type of freezer can keep milk for up to 6 months if the temperature is set to -18°C (0°F) . Again, milk should be stored inside the freezer, not in the door.
• Deep Freezer: These are kept at a constant temperature of -20°C (-4°F) . In a deep freezer like this, milk can be stored for up to 12 months .

Important: You may get different advice from different places about how long you can store this milk. If you have any concerns or doubts, be sure to talk to your doctor. That's the best thing to do.

How to defrost frozen milk? (Defrosting)

Frozen milk needs to be defrosted before giving it to your baby. There are several ways to do this:

• Thaw in the fridge: Place the bottle or bag of milk in the fridge for about a day (it will take about 24 hours to thaw). Then, run some warm water over the bottle or bag to warm it up until your baby can drink it. There are even bottle warmers that are specifically designed to warm milk.
• Thaw in a bowl of warm water: Remove the milk from the freezer and place the bottle or bag in a bowl of warm water. Or, run some warm water over it. Do this until it reaches room temperature or slightly warm.

Never do these things!

Never microwave breast milk! Doing so can cause some areas of the milk to overheat, creating "hot spots." These can burn your baby's mouth. Also, the heat from the microwave can destroy valuable nutrients and antibodies in breast milk. These antibodies are what protect your baby from disease.

More about evaporated milk...

• Thawed milk should be given to the baby within 24 hours .
• Do not refreeze thawed milk for any reason.
• Once your baby starts drinking from a bottle, you should finish the milk within 2 hours . Throw away any leftovers.

What if the appearance and smell of the thawed milk changes? Is that a problem?

Breast milk that has been frozen or refrigerated may look slightly different than freshly expressed milk. This is normal, so don't worry.

• Early breast milk may look a little orange in color.
• Mature breast milk may turn blue, yellow, or brown when stored in the fridge or freezer.
• Also, the milk may separate into a creamy layer on top and a watery layer on the bottom. If this happens, swirl the bottle occasionally to mix it again. Do not shake, just swirl.

Sometimes, the milk that has been thawed may have a soapy smell, and the taste may be the same. This is due to the breakdown of fats in the milk. There is an enzyme that affects this. However, this does not mean that the milk is bad, and it is safe to give to the baby. Many babies drink it without aversion to the taste.

However, if your baby doesn't like the taste of soap, there's a little trick you can do. As soon as you express the milk, heat it up (scalding it until bubbles form around the container), then quickly cool it down and freeze it. This will deactivate the enzyme that breaks down the fat .

How do you keep the bottles so clean?

It is very important to keep baby bottles, nipples, and the parts of the pump you use to express milk (for example, breast shields and any parts that come into contact with milk) clean.

• Before using for the first time: Wash everything thoroughly, then sterilize by boiling in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the equipment you are using for how long to boil.
• You can sterilize with a countertop sterilizer or a microwaveable sterilizer. However, boiling is just as good and less expensive.
• After each use: Wash bottles, nipples, and pump parts thoroughly with hot water and soap after each use. You can also put them in the dishwasher.

Taking care of cleanliness in this way goes a long way in protecting the baby from germs.

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so let's review the things you need to remember from what we've talked about:

• Store correctly:Pack milk in small quantities in clean, suitable containers. Don't forget to label with the date.
• Be aware of expiration dates: Know exactly how long you can keep milk at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer. If in doubt, seek medical advice.
• Thaw safely: Thaw milk in the fridge or in hot water. Never microwave.
• Use thawed milk carefully: Use thawed milk within 24 hours, do not refreeze. If your baby is drinking it, finish it within 2 hours.
• Variations are normal: There may be variations in the appearance and smell of the milk, which is normal.
• Cleanliness number one: Always keep bottles and equipment thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.

If you take care of yourself in this way, you can safely and safely give your baby your own breast milk, even when you're not around. It will be a great peace of mind for you too!

` Breast milk storage , expressing breast milk, freezing breast milk, thawing milk, feeding your baby, breast milk safety, cleaning bottles