For many breastfeeding mothers, expressing milk becomes an important part of their routine. Whether you’re returning to work, need a break, or want to allow others to feed your baby, handling expressed milk properly is essential to ensure that your baby receives the best possible nutrition.
This guide will cover how to express, store, and safely use expressed milk to keep it fresh and nutritious.
How to Express Breast Milk
There are two main methods of expressing breast milk: manually or using a breast pump. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to follow a clean and hygienic process.
- Manual Expression: Use clean hands to massage and squeeze your breast to express milk into a sterile container. This method can be convenient if you don’t have access to a pump.
- Using a Breast Pump: Breast pumps come in manual and electric versions. Be sure to thoroughly clean the pump parts after each use to prevent contamination.
Make sure to collect milk in sterilized containers or bags specifically designed for breast milk storage.
Storing Expressed Milk
Proper storage of expressed breast milk is crucial to maintaining its quality and safety. Here are some guidelines for storing expressed milk:
- At Room Temperature: Freshly expressed milk can be kept at room temperature (77°F or 25°C) for up to 4 hours.
- In the Refrigerator: Expressed milk can be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) for up to 4 days. Make sure to store it at the back of the fridge where the temperature is most consistent.
- In the Freezer: For longer storage, freeze expressed milk. It can be stored in a freezer for up to 6 months, though using it within 3 months is ideal for maintaining its nutritional quality. Use freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion as the milk freezes.
Thawing Frozen Milk
When you’re ready to use frozen breast milk, it’s important to thaw it safely.
- In the Refrigerator: The best method is to thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator overnight. This process preserves the nutrients better than quicker thawing methods.
- Under Warm Water: If you need to use the milk sooner, you can thaw it by running the container under warm (not hot) water or placing it in a bowl of warm water.
Avoid using the microwave to thaw or warm breast milk, as it can destroy important nutrients and create hot spots that may burn your baby’s mouth.
Using Expressed Milk
- Mixing Milk: If you’re combining milk from different pumping sessions, be sure to use milk that has been expressed and stored at the same temperature (e.g., refrigerate both containers before combining).
- Warming Milk: Before feeding your baby, you can warm the milk by placing the container in warm water. Swirl the milk to mix any separated fat back in, but avoid shaking it vigorously.
- Feeding: Once breast milk is warmed, use it within 2 hours. If your baby doesn’t finish the milk, it’s best to discard any leftover milk rather than refrigerating it again.
Labeling and Tracking
Always label your expressed milk with the date and time it was collected to ensure you use the oldest milk first. This helps prevent spoilage and ensures that your baby gets the freshest milk.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Maintaining hygiene is critical when handling expressed milk. Sterilize all pumping equipment, bottles, and storage containers regularly. Always wash your hands before expressing or handling milk, and clean any surfaces where you will be working with milk.
Conclusion
Expressing and storing breast milk can be a convenient and effective way to ensure your baby continues to receive the benefits of breastfeeding, even when you’re apart. By following proper storage, thawing, and feeding guidelines, you can ensure that your baby gets fresh, nutritious milk every time. Handling expressed milk with care helps preserve its quality and safeguards your baby’s health, allowing you to continue providing essential nourishment during the breastfeeding journey.