Storing Expressed Milk
You can express your milk and store it in clean containers. Your family or a sitter can feed it to the baby. This way, your baby gets the benefits of your milk even when you can't be there at feeding time.
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Type of storage
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Storage times
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Room temperature
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At room temperature (up to 78°F or 26°C)
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Tip: Keep the container clean, covered, and cool.
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3 to 4 hours is best; 6 to 8 hours is acceptable under very clean conditions
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Refrigerator
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72 hours is best; up to 8 days is acceptable under very clean conditions
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Freezer
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6 months is best; 12 months is acceptable
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Guidelines for milk storage
Always use a clean container to collect and store milk. Never pour warm expressed milk into a bottle with cold milk. And be sure to label and date each bottle or bag of milk. To store milk safely, see the chart above.
Warming stored milk
Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water. It’s a good idea to warm refrigerated milk before using it. For your baby’s safety:
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Use the oldest milk first.
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Warm a container of milk by putting it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes. Or use a bottle warmer set on low.
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Gently swirl the milk to mix it. Then place a few drops on your wrist. The milk should be near room temperature.
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Don’t put the milk in a microwave. This could create pockets of hot liquid that can burn your baby’s mouth.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Godsey, Cynthia, MSN, APRN, MSHE, FNP-BC
Online Medical Reviewer:
Image reviewed by StayWell art team.
Date Last Reviewed:
3/1/2017
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