Some nursing mothers find that they have an amazingly overabundant supply, as well as a majority who end up needing to go back to work so they choose to pump. In this case, you don't want your liquid gold to go to waste or spoil, so you need to store it for when baby needs it. Below you will find a guide to storing your precious liquid gold.
Leftover Milk From A Feeding
If you make bottles for feeding time, it is not easy to determine how much your bundle of joy will eat, especially in the beginning weeks. At room temperature, milk that has been freshly expressed can be stored 4-10 hours, but if you use it in a bottle, bacteria will get in. You can use the bottle for one more feeding, but discard after this due to the risk of bacteria.
Storing And Reheating Fresh Expressed Milk
You are able to store breast milk after it is pumped, in the fridge for up to 1 week. Any longer and it should be tossed. But other sources suggest it is only good in the fridge up to 3 days maximum. I have only ever stored for 3 days, personally. Freeze it if you think you won't be able to use it within 3 days. The most important of all tips is to never ever microwave it to reheat it. Use either a bottle warmer, or submerge in hot water to heat to room temperature before feeding. Microwaving the milk can create hot spots which can burn your baby's mouth, as well as destroy nutrients.
Freezing And Reheating Breastmilk
Breastmilk is able to be frozen for 3-4 months, but in order to thaw and use properly, you must take certain measures. Also, freezing is excellent if you have an oversupply. There are many kinds of milk storage bags on the market. My personal favorite is Lansinoh or Avent. But no matter which you choose, you always want to store in single servings so you don't end up wasting your precious milk.
To thaw, it is best to set the frozen breastmilk in the fridge, then reheat it to get the best even temperature and consistency. If the milk separates and there are fatty deposits throughout, gently stir to reincorporate as shaking can destroy nutrients. After thawing, keep in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours, then toss the leftover.