10. Storing and Using Breast Milk
The following information is referenced from the Office of Womenʼs Health.
Store your breast milk in clean glass or hard BPA-free plastic bottles with
tight-fitting lids. You can also use milk storage bags, which are specifically
made for freezing human milk. Do not use disposable bottle liners or other
plastic bags to store breast milk.
10.1 After Each Pumping Session
• Label the date on the milk storage container. Include your childʼs name if
you are giving the milk to a childcare provider.
• If cream rises to the top of the bottles, gently swirl them to mix the cream
with the rest of the milk. Do not shake the milk, as it could cause some of the
milk nutrients to break down.
• Refrigerate or chill breast milk immediately after expression. You can
refrigerate breast milk in a cooler or insulated cooler pack, or freeze the
milk in small (2 to 4 ounce/60 to 110 g) batches.
10.2 Freezing Breast Milk
• If using BPA-free plastic or glass bottles, wait until milk is completely frozen
to tighten bottle caps or lids.
• Try to leave an inch or so from the milk to the top of the container, as it will
expand when freezing.
• Store milk in the back of the freezer, away from the freezer door.
10.3 Thawing and Warming Milk
• Clearly label milk containers with the date the milk was expressed. Use
oldest stored milk first.
• Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator
overnight, holding it under warm running water, or by placing it in a container
full of warm water for several minutes.
• Never put a bottle or bag of breast milk in the microwave. Microwaving
breast milk creates hotspots that could burn or damage the milk.
• Swirl the milk, and test the temperature by placing a few drops on your
wrist. The milk should be comfortably warm, not hot.
• Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours. Never refreeze thawed breast milk.
10.4 Storing Fresh Breast Milk
10.5 Storing Thawed Breast Milk
Thawed Breast Milk
1 to 2 hours is best, do not store for over 4 hours.
24 hours.
Do NOT refreeze.
Room temperature
(up to 77° F or 25° C)
Ideally, use
within 3-5 hours.
Containers should be
covered and kept as cool
as possible.Discard leftover
milk within 1 to 2 hours after
your baby is finished feeding.
Countertop or Table
39° F
(4° C) or colder
Use within
3-5 days.
Store milk in the back of the
main body of the refrigerator.
Use an insulated bag to store
milk in the back of the
refrigerator while at work.
Refrigerator
Temperature
Longevity
Tips
Storage Method
0° F
(4° C) or colder.
Use within 3 to
6 months is best.
Store the milk in the back
of the freezer where the
temperature will remain
the most consistent.
Freezer
