Storing breast milk: Do's and Don'ts

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Hien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Not all mothers have the conditions to practice breastfeeding, especially when the mother has to go back to work. Storing breast milk is now a lifesaver. So when we collect breast milk, what should we pay attention to?

Before expressing or pumping milk, the mother should remember to wash her hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Containers for storing breast milk must be clean, covered with lids, made of glass or hard plastic that does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA).
Besides, there are specialized milk storage bags that are very convenient for mothers to easily use. However, specialized milk storage bags have a disadvantage, that is, they can be torn, open and more susceptible to infection than hard material containers.
Therefore, for the best possible preservation of breast milk, place the milk storage bag in a hard plastic food container with a tight-fitting lid. And remember, never use tools like disposable bottles or regular plastic bags to store breast milk for babies.

Remember that every milk storage device needs to be labeled with the date of collection (use waterproof labels to avoid ink smudges). If storing milk with someone else, don't forget to include the baby's name next to the collection date. The best place to store milk in the refrigerator or freezer is deep inside, where the temperature is lowest and most stable. If for some reason it is not possible to put it in the refrigerator or freezer right away, the mother can temporarily store the stored milk in an insulated cooler.
Each storage device should contain only enough breast milk for a baby's feeding. With the first storage, the mother can try starting with a volume of 2 to 4 ounces (~59 - 118 ml), and then adjust as needed. The mother can also store a number of smaller portions of milk (1 - 2 ounces, equivalent to about 30 - 59 ml) in case of unexpected situations. Breast milk will increase in volume when frozen, so don't overfill the storage container.

It is possible for the mother to add fresh milk to the storage with the milk that has been stored previously in the refrigerator or freezer (but the fresh milk must be collected on the same day as the milk that has been stored before). ).
However, the mother should note that the freshly collected milk must be completely cooled (either in the refrigerator or in an ice cooler) before adding it to the frozen stored milk. The reason freshly drawn milk should not be added immediately to stored frozen milk is because the heat from freshly collected milk will cause the stored milk to partially thaw.

The length of time that breast milk can be stored depends on how breast milk storage is used. The storage time of breast milk for some common methods can be referred to as follows:
Storage at room temperature: Freshly collected breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to 6 hours. However, the optimal storage and use time is within 4 hours, and if the room is warm, the limit for using milk is only 4 hours. Store in an insulated cooler: Using an insulated cooler with ice can help preserve breast milk for up to a day. Store in the refrigerator: breast milk, if stored in a deep area of ​​the refrigerator and kept clean, can be stored for up to 5 days. However, the optimal storage and use time is within 3 days. Storing in the freezer: storing breast milk in the freezer is the method to help preserve it for the longest time, up to 12 months. However, the optimal storage and use time is within 6 months. Storing breast milk is convenient, but not without its limitations. Whether stored in the refrigerator or freezer, the vitamin C in milk will gradually lose over time, the longer it is stored, the lower the vitamin C content will be. In addition, breast milk that is collected and stored at birth will not be completely suitable and will not meet the needs of that baby after several months. And remember, when your baby is born prematurely, gets sick or is hospitalized, the guidelines for storing breast milk are different.

Always remember to use the longest stored milk first (follow the store first, use first rule).
If milk is stored in the freezer, be sure to transfer the intended milk to the refrigerator overnight so it can be used the next day.
Breast milk can be thawed by placing it under warm running water or by submerging it in a bowl of warm water. Do not rush to heat the milk in the microwave or on the stove, because parts of the milk will receive heat unevenly, part will be too hot while the other part will be cold. On the other hand, under the influence of high temperature, the antibodies needed for the baby in breast milk will be lost.
Although more research is still needed to confirm for sure if milk that has been thawed and then refrozen is safe to use, most experts now recommend that thawed milk should be used only within within 24 hours, if after this time has not been used up, throw it away.

The color of breast milk can change, depending on the mother's diet. And thawed milk may taste different from normal breast milk, but it's completely safe for your baby. If the baby is not interested, shortening the time the milk is stored can help resolve the situation.
Doctor Huynh Thi Hien has over 32 years of experience specializing in examination - treatment in the field of obstetrics and gynecology - family planning. In particular, Dr. Hien has a lot of experience in health care for women such as:
Pregnant women at high risk Infertility and infertility Prenatal and newborn screening Prevention of birth defects Internal disorders Pre-menopause information Reproductive tract cancer screening Contraceptive measures In the process of taking care of young children, if you have any problems that need advice, you can send questions to the website of Vinmec International General Hospital to receive Get answers from experts. Or go directly to the nearest Vinmec facility to check for appropriate indications.

Article referenced source: mayoclinic.org