How to Collect and Safely Store Breast Milk for Your Little One (Breast Milk Storage): Let's Talk About This!

Most of the time, breastfeeding mothers store breast milk to give to their baby while they are at the office or on other trips. So, today we are going to talk about how to store expressed breast milk, or as doctors call it, how to thaw frozen milk, and how to warm it up before giving it to your baby. This is more important than you think, because it directly affects the baby's health, so don't take it lightly.

How exactly do you collect breast milk?

You can store your expressed breast milk in the fridge or freezer. But no matter where you store it, there's a way to make it work.

You should store this milk in well-washed and clean glass bottles with tight-fitting lids, or in cups made of hard plastic (preferably with a cap!), or in special ``nursing bags`` made specifically for breast milk and sterilized beforehand. These ``nursing bags`` are available at pharmacies.

When freezing milk in the freezer, it's best to freeze it in small amounts of 2 to 4 ounces (about 59 to 118 milliliters) rather than a large amount at once. That way, the milk won't go to waste. Imagine if you froze a large bottle and your baby only wanted a little, you wouldn't be able to use the rest. So, by storing it in small amounts, you can only use the amount you need.

Another very important thing is to clearly label each container with the date it was poured. If you are giving your baby to a daycare or if someone else is taking care of your baby, write the baby's name on it. That way, it's easier to use the oldest milk first, which is a great way to do it.

How long can breast milk be stored?

Okay, now let's see how long you can keep that precious breast milk you've expressed without it going bad. This is about the time limits for storing breast milk for a healthy, full-term baby . Remember, following these instructions exactly is very important for the baby's health.

• At room temperature: That means at normal home temperature, you can keep it for about 4 hours. But one thing is, the room temperature should not be higher than 25 degrees Celsius (that is, 77°F Fahrenheit). If it is hotter than that, don't keep it for so long.
• In the fridge: You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. But make sure the temperature in the fridge is between 0° and 3.9° Celsius (32°–39°F). It's best to store it in the back of the fridge rather than in the door, as the temperature changes when you open the door.
• In the freezer: If you keep it in the freezer, it can last longer. But there are a few things you need to be careful about here, so listen carefully.
• The first thing is that when milk ``freezes`` it takes up a little more space, which means it expands. So, you need to make sure you leave about an inch of space at the top of the container or bottle you're putting it in. Otherwise, the container could explode.
• Now let's see how long it can be kept, depending on the type of freezer:
• In the freezer compartment located inside the refrigerator (that is, the small freezer on top of a regular fridge - `freezer compartment located inside the refrigerator`): In a place like this, it can be kept for about 2 weeks.
• In a separate freezer that's self-contained and connected on top of or on the side of the refrigerator (these are usually found in two-door refrigerators): You can store milk in this type of freezer for up to 6 months. However, the temperature in the freezer should be -18 degrees Celsius (0°F) or lower. Another important thing is that the milk should be inside the freezer, not in the door. This is because the temperature changes frequently when the door is opened and closed, which can affect the quality of the milk.
• In a deep freezer: If you have a deep freezer, you can store breast milk in it for up to 12 months, or a full year. But the temperature in the deep freezer should always be maintained at -20 degrees Celsius (-4°F) or lower.

You may find information about these periods in a newspaper, book, or on the Internet that has slight variations. So if you have any questions or doubts, be sure to talk to your doctor or family health worker to find out for sure. That's the best thing to do. Always follow your doctor's advice.

How do you defrost frozen milk?

Okay, now let's see how to properly thaw frozen milk in the freezer before giving it to your baby.

• One way is to keep the milk on the bottom shelf of the fridge for a day. It usually takes about 24 hours to thaw. Then you can put some warm water in the bag or bottle of milk, or put it in a container with warm water for a while to bring it to the temperature that your baby will receive. There are now special devices called ``bottle warmers`` to warm the milk, and you can use one if necessary.
• Another method is to take it out of the freezer and place it directly in a clean container with lukewarm water, or to add lukewarm water to the container of milk. You can do this until it reaches room temperature or a temperature that your baby can drink.

But this is something you should really, really remember: Never, ever heat breast milk in the microwave! Doing so can cause "hot spots" in the milk, which can burn your baby's delicate mouth. Not only that, but the high heat in the microwave can also destroy many of the valuable nutrients in breast milk and the antibodies that protect your baby from disease. So, the value of breast milk is lost.

Thawed milk should be given to the baby within 24 hours . It is not a good idea to refreeze the milk. Also, once the baby starts drinking from the bottle, the milk should be finished within 2 hours . Don't leave it out longer than that.

Does the appearance and smell of the evaporated milk seem different? Is that a problem?

Yes, sometimes breast milk that has been frozen or refrigerated may not look like fresh milk, but it may look a little different. But that's normal, so don't worry about it.

Early milk, or colostrum, may look a little orange, and later milk may turn a little blue, yellow, or brown when refrigerated or frozen. The milk may also appear to have a creamy layer on top and a slightly watery layer underneath. If this happens, swirl the bottle or container a little and stir it again. Do not shake vigorously.

Sometimes, thawed milk can have a soapy smell or taste. This is because the fats in the milk are broken down. This is caused by an enzyme called lipase. But the milk is still safe to give to your baby. Most babies don't mind this taste change. But if your baby doesn't like the taste from time to time, you can heat the milk a little right after pouring it, that is, before freezing it. To be precise, heat it until it bubbles around the container (not boiling), then quickly turn it off and freeze it. This will deactivate the enzyme that breaks down the fat in the milk.

How do you clean bottles and nipples like that?

This is also very important to do correctly, because dirty equipment can transmit germs to the baby.

Before using for the first time, you should thoroughly wash all washable parts of your nipples, bottles, and pumping equipment (such as breast shields, anything that comes into contact with your breasts or milk) and then sterilize them by boiling them in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Check the manufacturer's directions for how long to boil each part.

You can use a ``countertop sterilizer'' or ``microwaveable sterilizer'' to sterilize this way. However, boiling water is just as good, and it's less expensive.

Then, after each use , you should wash the bottles, nipples, and parts of the milking equipment thoroughly with hot water and soap. Or you can wash them in the dishwasher. Let them dry thoroughly.

So, finally, a few things to remember

So, here are the things you need to keep in mind from what we've talked about:

• Be very, very careful about cleanliness when storing breast milk. Clean hands and clean equipment are essential.
• Never forget to write the date and time (if possible) on the milk containers.
• When freezing, leave about an inch of space at the top of the container.
• Never, ever use a microwave to thaw milk.
• Use thawed milk within 24 hours and do not refreeze it.
• Do not keep leftover milk that your baby has drunk for more than 2 hours, throw it away.
• If you have any doubts, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or midwife without holding back.

If you store and use breast milk correctly in this way, you can always give your baby a nutritious, safe diet. Although this may seem like a small thing, don't forget that it is very important for your baby's health and development. You win!

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