Should we talk about the value of breast milk? But only proper storage and thawing will save all the beneficial substances and minimize the spread of bacterial contamination.
When to express and store milk
- separation of the baby and mother due to illness;
- the baby is born premature and cannot suck the mother’s breast on its own. After its recovery, it is desirable to restore breastfeeding;
- mother has nipples retracted. While the nipple development process is underway, a woman can feed her baby with expressed milk, but applying it to her breast;
- temporary medical intervention. For example, potent drugs when removing a tooth. Therefore, it is advisable to decant the product in advance, and during the withdrawal of the drug from the body, express in vain;
- deep cracks appeared on the nipples;
- a visit to the clinic or another place where there is no room for the mother and child;
- drinking alcohol.
Dishes for storing breast milk
To preserve the properties of the expressed milk, considerable attention should be paid to the selected container. Despite the material, all containers should be:
- comfortable;
- compact;
- easy cleaning and sterilization;
- non-toxic;
- sealed.
Glass containers
If on the one hand such a container is the best, then on the other the most expensive. The glass container is easy to clean and non-toxic. In addition, he endures both high and low temperatures. Many manufacturers of breast pumps with the device put in a set of a couple of bottles for storing milk. Most often they are made of plastic, but there are also glass.
Of the minuses can be noted not compact and with careless movement of the container may break. Another drawback: fatty milk ingredients stick to the walls of glass bottles, which significantly reduces the nutritional value.
Disposable plastic bags
One of the safest, most compact and easy-to-use storage containers. The package is primarily useful for mothers who plan to leave the baby for a while and create a small supply of expressed milk.
Due to their sterility they do not need to be treated or washed. They tolerate freezing and they always have a place to sign the date of the pumping. Also, plastic disposable bags are compact and fit in a bag, refrigerator and freezer.
At cost much cheaper than their colleagues from plastic and glass. Each package is equipped with a special zipper, clip, taping, self-adhesive tape, which ensures absolute tightness.
The only negative - disposable. Therefore, for a nursing mother practicing continuous pumping and storage of milk, re-use containers are the best choice.
Plastic containers
A great alternative to glass containers. The material is quite light, strong and tolerates heat and freeze well. Although modern plastic containers are harmless and non-toxic, some manufacturers continue to create polycarbonate containers.
Plastic containers are sold in three types: cups, bottles and jars. In some other than breast milk, it is possible to store and baby food. Usually they are universal, therefore they are suitable for a breast pump of any manufacturer. Very comfortable to use.
Of the minuses worth noting the high cost, the presence of polycarbonate (in some containers), which emits a harmful substance bisphenol A.
It is not recommended to use plastic bags for storage. First, they are torn, and secondly, their composition does not meet the requirements.
Whatever capacity is used it is important that it is hermetically sealed. This will provide protection from germs in the fresh air, which are deposited on the surface of food.
How long can breast milk be stored after decanting for a walk?
Another problem that many mothers face is storing of expressed milk for a walk. To solve the problem, many manufacturers have created special thermo bags and thermoses for bottles. A rather convenient way, especially for those who went on a long rest and at the same time decided to stock up on several servings of breast milk.
At an outdoor temperature of up to + 15 ° C, expressed milk should not be stored for more than 24 hours.
How much can you keep breast milk in the refrigerator
At temperatures up to + 5C, the product can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 8 days. In this case, a container of breast milk should be placed as deep as possible. Before storage, be sure to cool fresh milk.
How much can be stored expressed breast milk in the freezer
At a temperature of -13 to-18C, the expressed product is allowed to be stored no more than 6 months, and at -18 -20C no more than a year. Refrigerate the product before freezing.
Rules of defrosting and heating milk
Of course, it is best to feed the baby milk directly from the breast. But the situations are different, and sometimes it is necessary to subject the invaluable nutrient to heating, defrosting and long-term storage in the freezer.
Like all frozen foods, breast milk should not be re-frozen after thawing. You can store no more than a day.
For this reason, experts recommend freezing milk in small portions of 60 or 120 ml, that is, for 1 or 2 feeding.
In no case should you defrost the product by boiling or using a microwave oven. Since the microwave is able to destroy some of the milk enzymes. The best in this case will be special heaters or an affordable option is to place a container where breast milk is stored under a stream of warm water. In no case should it be hot.
It is also possible to defrost at room temperature or in a water bath. These 2 ways to keep the most nutrients. You can heat the milk to a maximum of 37 degrees. The fact is that when this temperature rises, the product loses all its useful properties.
Before defrosting, it is necessary to look at the date of freezing and it is advisable to carry out the procedure according to order.
If, during defrosting, a precipitate appears in the form of flakes or when heated, breast milk coagulates, the portion should be discarded immediately.
Thawed milk is poured into a bottle. Before feeding, be sure to shake the container to mix the greasy and watery layer of the product until smooth.
Remember that the smell and taste of thawed milk may differ from the expressed.
How much is thawed breast milk stored
This product has the shortest shelf life. If the defrosted product remains after feeding the baby, it can be used for one hour when stored at room temperature, and if kept in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
General storage guidelines
How to properly store expressed milk at low temperature?
- The expressed product cannot be immediately sent to freeze. First, it is cooled in the refrigerator;
- It is advisable to make batch freezing so that there is no milk left after feeding;
- in no case can not mix the milk expressed at different times;
- do not place the container with food on the door of the refrigerator - this is the place with the most unstable temperature;
- to avoid confusion, leave the dating on each container;
- in the freezer freeze in the farthest wall. Thus, the product will not be subject to strong temperature variations;
- Remember that it is common for breast milk to change its hue and smell when frozen. It is a matter of fatty acids, which always change at low temperatures;
- It is advisable to create a “breast milk bank” with a long absence, in the other case, do not deprive the child of the opportunity to receive a fresh product;
- The residues of thawed milk are never frozen again. No matter how much product is left, do not regret, but pour out.
Terms of storage of breast milk: a table for moms
| At 25 ° C | No more than 6 hours |
| At 15C | Up to one day |
| In the refrigerator at 4C | No more than 8 days |
| In the freezer (common door) | No more than 14 days |
| In the freezer (separate door) | No more than half a year |
| In the freezer at -20 ° C | Maximum 1 year |
Storage of breast milk is an excellent solution when the feeding regime of a baby is disturbed for any reason. Even if the mother is forced to leave for a few hours, thanks to this option, the baby will not be left without a nutritious meal. But nutrients will remain only with proper storage of the product.
Additional information on how to store breast milk is in the next video.
