Where is breast milk stored
How Breast Milk is Made
Did you know your body gets ready for breastfeeding before you even give birth? While you are pregnant, your breasts change. These changes allow your breasts to make milk and may cause them to feel fuller and more tender.
Once your baby is born, their suckling releases hormones in your body that cause your breasts to make and release milk.
If you are concerned that your milk has not come in or that you are not making enough milk, speak with WIC breastfeeding staff.
Role of Your Breasts
Milk production occurs within the alveoli, which are grape-like clusters of cells within the breast. Once the milk is made, it is squeezed out through the alveoli into the milk ducts, which resemble highways. The ducts carry the milk through the breast.
The size of your breasts does not affect your ability to breastfeed. Women with small breasts make the same quantity and quality of milk as women with larger breasts.
Role of Your Brain
When your baby suckles, it sends a message to your brain. The brain then signals the hormones, prolactin and oxytocin to be released. Prolactin causes the alveoli to begin making milk. Oxytocin causes muscles around the alveoli to squeeze milk out through the milk ducts.
When milk is released, it is called the let-down reflex. Signs of milk release are:
- Tingling, fullness, dull ache, or tightening in the breasts (although some moms do not feel any of these sensations).
- Milk dripping from the breast.
- Uterine cramping after you put baby to the breast during the first few days after birth.
To encourage your milk to release, try these methods:
- Find ways to relax, such as going to a calm place or trying deep breathing.
- Place a warm compress on your breasts before breastfeeding.
- Massage your breasts and hand express a little milk.
After you've been breastfeeding for a while, the let-down reflex can happen for many other reasons, like when you hear your baby cry, or you see or think of your baby.
It also can happen at the time of day you usually breastfeed your baby, even if your baby is not around.
Role of Your Baby
Your baby helps you make milk by suckling and removing milk from your breast. The more milk your baby drinks, the more milk your body will make. Frequent breastfeeding or milk removal (8-12 times or more every 24 hours), especially in the first few days and weeks of your baby's life, helps you make a good milk supply.
Your milk will continue to vary according to your baby's needs. Each time your baby feeds, your body knows to make more milk for the next feeding. The amount of milk you make will go up or down depending on how often your baby eats. By nursing for as often and as long as your baby wants, you are helping your body to make more milk. At first, it might feel like you are doing nothing but breastfeeding. Soon, you and your baby will get into a pattern that works for both of you.
Tips for Freezing & Refrigerating Breast Milk
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Ages & Stages
Ages & Stages
By: Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP
When it comes to breast milk, how you store it depends on how soon you want to use it.
Here are some helpful guidelines for storing your breast milk safely.
Before expressing or pumping: Wash your hands and all storage containers thoroughly. Label the date the breast milk was expressed on each container and include your child's name if you are giving the milk to a child care provider. Talk with your child care provider about how they require breast milk be stored and labeled.
Store breast milk in small batches. 2 to 4 ounces is recommended to prevent waste. Any remaining breast milk left in a bottle after your baby is finished with a feeding should be used within 2 hours, or, if quickly refrigerated, used for the next feeding. You can always thaw an extra container if needed.
Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed. Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for 4 hours (or up to 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed), but it is best to chill as soon as possible.
Breast milk can be placed in the back of the refrigerator (39°F or 4°C). It is best to use refrigerated breast milk within 4 days, but it can be refrigerated for up to 8 days.
To warm breast milk from the refrigerator: Place the bottle in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm water. Microwaving breast milk is not safe due to the risk of scalding your baby with hot milk.
Freeze breast milk if you will not be using it within 24 hours. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so do not fill the milk all the way to the top of the storage container. Again store the milk in the back of the freezer, not the door.
If freezing the milk inside a refrigerator with a freezer that has a separate door (0°F or −18°C), milk may be frozen for up to 9 months.
If the freezer is a chest or a deep freezer (−4°F or −20°C), milk may be frozen for up to 12 months.
To thaw breast milk from the freezer: Put the bottle or bag in the refrigerator overnight, hold it under warm running water, or set it in a container of warm water. Remember that heating breast milk in microwaves is not safe.
Once breast milk is thawed: It can be stored in a refrigerator and must be used within 24 hours.
The Rule of 4's
We know breast milk storage can be confusing, so here is a more conservative approach that you can also go by (and easily remember): 4 hours at room temperature and 4 days in the refrigerator!
Editor's Note: Although these breast milk storage guidelines are appropriate for babies born premature and those who are hospitalized, hospitals may have their own rules. If you have specific questions, discuss these guidelines with your baby's pediatrician and/or hospital.
Where We Stand:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby's diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. You can continue to breastfeed after 12 months if you and your baby desire.
Additional Information & Resources:
- Expressing Breastmilk On the Job
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (AAP Policy Statement)
Effects of Extended Freezer Storage on the Integrity of Human Milk (The Journal of Pediatrics)
About Dr. DiMaggio:
Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP, is a board certified pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of NYC and at NYU Langone Medical Center. She is the co-author of
The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers, a comprehensive manual written by a team of medical, nutrition, and culinary experts.
Follow her on Instagram
@Pediatriciansguide.
- Author
- Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP
- Last Updated
- 9/9/2016
- Source
- American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2016)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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Storing, freezing and thawing breast milk
Expressed breast milk is the best food for your baby when you are not around.
How to store and use breast milk correctly?
Share this information
If you go to work, go to the gym or simply ask your partner to feed your baby and you want to get some sleep yourself, you can express breast milk so that the baby can eat even when you are not around. Most of the beneficial properties are retained in expressed breast milk, so if you are forced to skip breastfeeding, it will be a better replacement than any formula. But an important guarantee of the safety of expressed milk for your baby is hygiene. Read the article to learn how to properly store breast milk. nine0003
What is the best way to store breast milk?
Any type of breast milk is better for the baby than formula. But freshly expressed breast milk is better than chilled, and chilled breast milk is better than frozen. The fact is that freshly expressed milk fights bacteria better, it contains more antioxidants, vitamins and fats than chilled or frozen milk 4 .
How long expressed breast milk lasts
Once your breast milk is properly collected in a clean container, you can store it at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer, depending on how soon you plan to use it. Follow the guidelines below:
Recommendations for the storage of expressed breast milk (for healthy term infants) 2, 3
| Storage | Room temperature | Refrigerator | Freezer | Pre-frozen |
| Safe shelf life | Up to four hours Up to six hours for milk expressed under extra clean conditions* | Up to three days Up to five days for milk expressed under extra clean conditions* | Up to six months Up to nine months for milk expressed under extra clean conditions* | Up to two hours at room temperature Up to 24 hours refrigerated Do not freeze again! |
.
0116 . These instructions for storing and thawing breast milk are guidelines only. For more information, contact a lactation consultant or healthcare professional.
If the baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NIU) or intensive care unit, stricter cleaning and storage guidelines may apply in accordance with the hospital's internal policies.
Before placing expressed milk in the refrigerator or freezer, be sure to mark the bottles or bags with the amount of milk and the date of expression. This will make it easier to manage your pumped milk supply. nine0003
Recommendations for feeding expressed breast milk
During storage, breast milk usually separates into layers and the fat (cream) it contains rises to the top. Shake the bottle lightly to mix the layers before giving it to your baby. Strong stirring and shaking can destroy some of the nutritional and protective components of breast milk 5 .
When a baby is fed expressed breast milk from a cup or bottle, bacteria from the mouth naturally enters the milk.
Therefore, it is best to throw out all the unfinished milk one to two hours after the first feeding. In order to waste as little expressed milk as possible, it is best to store it in small portions and use just enough for one feeding 2 .
How to Store Breast Milk in the Refrigerator
2, 3Follow the guidelines below to safely store expressed milk in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate breast milk as soon as possible after pumping.
- Store milk in clean BPA-free breast milk bottles or breast milk storage bags. Its long-term effects on the human body are not well understood and manufacturers are now moving away from the use of this chemical in plastic containers and coatings. nine0142
- After pre-cooling, a small amount of expressed milk can be added to the milk container stored in the refrigerator. Do not add warm breast milk to already chilled milk.
- Store breast milk in the coldest part of the refrigerator, on the back of the shelf above the vegetable drawer.
Do not store milk in the refrigerator door where the temperature is not as constant.
How to store breast milk in the freezer
2, 3The following are recommendations for the safe freezing of breast milk.
- Freeze breast milk as soon as possible after pumping.
- After pre-cooling, expressed milk can be added to a container of already frozen milk. Do not add warm breast milk to already frozen milk.
- To simplify defrosting and reduce waste, store milk in small portions (less than 60 ml). Once thawed, portions can be mixed. nine0141 Make sure the breast milk container is suitable for freezing: some containers (eg glass bottles) may burst at low temperatures. Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags are ideal for storing frozen breast milk: they are ready to use, cold-resistant and easy to label.
- Do not fill bottles or bags more than 3/4 full as milk expands when frozen.
- Store frozen breast milk in the back of the freezer where the temperature is constant.
Do not place it against the walls of freezers with automatic defrosting. nine0142
Feeding frozen breast milk
2, 3Follow these guidelines when thawing breast milk to keep it safe for your baby.
- Breast milk can be thawed in the refrigerator, usually takes about 12 hours. You can place the bottle or bag of frozen milk under running warm water (max. 37 °C). Do not thaw breast milk at room temperature.
- Fully thawed breast milk can be stored for up to two hours at room temperature and up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. nine0142
- Do not thaw or reheat frozen breast milk in a microwave oven or in boiling water. This can negatively affect the nutritional and protective properties of breast milk, and due to uneven heating, the baby can burn.
- If, after defrosting, you left breast milk at room temperature, but did not feed it to the baby within two hours, the milk must be discarded.
- Do not refreeze breast milk.
How to warm up expressed breast milk
2, 3Healthy full-term babies can be given breast milk at room temperature or heated to body temperature. Some children care about the temperature of the milk, while others drink milk at any temperature.
- To warm breast milk, place the bottle or bag in a cup, mug or bowl of warm water for a few minutes until the milk is at body temperature (37°C). You can use a bottle warmer. Do not heat milk above 40°C or microwave it to avoid overheating. nine0142
- Slightly shake the milk in the bottle or bag to mix the separated fat (see above). Do not stir or shake the milk too hard.
Why does milk smell strange after storage?
Chilled or thawed breast milk may smell different from fresh
. This is due to the action of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids, preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Some mothers report that their milk smells rancid or soapy after storage.
But if you followed all the recommendations for safe storage given in this article, such milk is absolutely safe 2 .
Storing breastmilk on the go
If you need to transport your breastmilk from work to home or nursery, use the cool bag with ice packs 2 . For more information on pumping and storing breastmilk on the go, see the article on pumping on the go.
Literature
1 US Food & Drug Administration. Using a breast pump. [Internet]. Silver Spring, MD, USA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018 [updated 2018 Feb 04; cited 2018 Apr 12] Available from: www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/BreastPumps/ucm061944.htm
2 US Food and Drug Administration. "Instructions for using the breast pump". [Internet] Silver Spring, Maryland, USA: Department of Health and Human Services; 2018 [updated February 4, 2018; cited April 12, 2018] Article referenced: www.
fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/BreastPumps/ucm061944.htm
3 Eglash,A., Simon,L., & The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM clinical protocol #8: human milk storage information for home use for full-term infants, revised 2017. Breastfeed Med 12, (2017). - Eglash A, Simon L and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, AVM Clinical Protocol #8: Home Storage of Milk for Term Infants 2017 Revision. Brestfeed Med (Breastfeeding Medicine) 12 (2917).
4 Human Milk Banking Association of North America. 2011 Best practice for expressing, storing and handling human milk in hospitals, homes, and child care settings. (HMBANA, Fort Worth, 2011).- North American Breast Milk Banks Association. Fort Worth: SABGM; 2011.
5 García-Lara NR et al. Effect of freezing time on macronutrients and energy content of breastmilk.
Breastfeeding Medicine. 2012;7(4):295-301. - Garcia-Lara N.R. et al., "Effect of Freezing Duration on Macronutrients and Energy in Breast Milk". Brestfeeding Honey (Breastfeeding Medicine) . 2012;7(4):295-301.
6 Office on Women’s Health. Pumping and storing breastmilk. [Internet]. Silver Spring, MD, USA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018[updated 2018 Jan 12; cited 2018 Apr 12] Available from: www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk
7 Office of Women's Health, "Pumping and Storing Breast Milk" [Internet]. Silver Spring, MD, USA: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2018 [updated January 12, 2018; cited April 12, 2018] Article Link: www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk
How to store breast milk in the refrigerator
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The start of lactation is a great opportunity to create a personalized breast milk bank, as this is when the mother produces more milk than the baby needs !
Three Philips Avent products to help you start your own milk bank
What is a breast milk bank? nine0011
This is pre-expressed milk, which you can feed your baby at any time if the mother is not around or she is temporarily unable to feed.
A "bank" of milk is stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Why set up a breast milk bank?
Help a newborn baby
A breast milk bank may be needed if the baby is unable to breastfeed for some reason.
Doctor visits
A healthy mother is a healthy baby, therefore, in addition to visits to the pediatrician, the mother herself must visit the doctor observing her. As a rule, the first visit has to be done a month after the birth.
Hospital
Sometimes it happens that a nursing mother is prescribed medicines (eg antibiotics) that are incompatible with breastfeeding. If at this moment the mother does not have milk supplies, the baby is forced to be transferred to the mixture.
Going to work or study
In cases where a mother's professional life requires her to return to work or school as soon as possible, a pre-formed milk bank will allow her not to worry about the well-being and health of the baby.
Pursuing a favorite hobby
After giving birth, many women experience a creative upsurge and a surge of inspiration. It's no surprise that many moms are getting into photography, design, and discovering new talents within themselves.
Reviews: they write about us
1. Use a breast pump* with sealed containers or bottles to express breast milk. Be sure to sterilize all accessories you use before pumping.
Please note that the sterility of the process directly affects the quality of milk and, accordingly, the digestion of the child. To ensure the quality of your breast pumps* and bottles, we recommend using Philips Avent electric or steam sterilizers. nine0311
2. A special hormone, oxytocin, is responsible for the production of milk in the female body. Its release is stimulated by positive emotions and warmth. To stimulate the flow of milk, give a light breast massage, take a warm shower or apply a warm Philips Avent thermal pad , listen to pleasant relaxing music, think about your baby.
3. When you are ready to express, use the manual or electric breast pump* as instructed. Breastfeeding experts and pediatricians recommend using a breast pump* to create your own milk bank. when expressing by hand, even with washed hands and good hygiene, microorganisms from the air can enter the milk. In this case, the sterility of the process is violated. There is a risk that after feeding such milk, the child may have an upset gastrointestinal tract. nine0003
When can I start pumping* and expressing after giving birth?
You can start pumping already in the hospital, a few hours after giving birth. As a rule, pumping may be required if the baby is separated from the mother for some reason and there is no way to often breastfeed. Early pumping increases milk production 1 .
When is the best time to express for a milk bank and how often? nine0026
The beginning of lactation is a good time to start a milk bank.
Pump regularly after feedings and between feedings. To increase milk production, apply a warm compress or Philips Avent thermal pads before pumping. It is also effective to express one breast while breastfeeding the other 2 .
How long does pumping take?
The duration of pumping depends on the individual characteristics of each mother. For some mothers, a rush of milk is observed only at the beginning of pumping, for others - several times per pumping. In the first case, it may take a few minutes for the mother to express most of the milk, in the second case it may take more than 15 minutes 3 .
How much milk can and should be pumped from one breast?
Frequency of pumping and amount of expressed milk, depending on situations:
- To increase milk production during lactation crises: you can express after feedings until the milk stops flowing 4 ;
- In case of insufficient milk production (hypogalactia) : it is necessary to express "to the last drop" immediately after feedings;
- For lactostasis (stagnation of milk in the ducts of the mammary glands) : express milk as needed to relieve the feeling of heaviness and swelling of the mammary glands;
- To leave milk to your baby: you can express the right amount of milk at any time convenient for you.
How do you know when to stop pumping? nine0026
Pump each breast for approximately 10-15 minutes. As a rule, pumping takes at least 5 - 6 minutes until the milk flow slows down 5 . As soon as you feel that the mammary gland is empty and the milk stops flowing, you can stop pumping.
How long after pumping can I breastfeed my baby?
The more milk you express, the more milk you will produce. If you regularly express milk between feedings, then after an hour and a half you can attach the baby to the breast. nine0003
Some useful tips on how to store milk properly:
1. To keep track of the expiration date of your milk, write the time and date of pumping on the container lid or on the breast milk storage bag.
Milk storage bags save space in the freezer, while the reinforced side seams and Philips Avent double-layer material provide extra storage security in both the fridge and freezer.
Try to express the amount of milk that corresponds to the portion that the baby eats at a time. nine0003
Do not store milk in the refrigerator door, try to put the milk deeper - in the coldest place in the refrigerator.
Before freezing milk in the freezer, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Philips Avent breast pumps* allow you to store milk in the same container where it was expressed. To do this, it is enough to disconnect the container and close it with a lid.
2. To ensure that breast milk retains all the useful and nutritious substances during storage, it is necessary to take into account the maximum shelf life, depending on the conditions under which the milk is stored. nine0003
-
At room temperature (23-25C):
-
- until the end of feeding - warmed and partially fed milk
- no more than 2 hours - no more than freshly expressed milk 9014-2 9014 x hours - defrosted milk
-
Refrigerator (4-10C):
-
- up to 24 hours - freshly expressed milk
- no more than 24 hours - heated defrosted milk
-
In the freezer (-16, -18C):
-
- to 3 months-seduced milk, previously chilled in the refrigerator
9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000.
- Expressed breast milk must be chilled for 30 minutes before freezing;
- when frozen, breast milk "expands", the optimal portion for storage is 60-120 ml;
- It is possible to supplement milk with new portions within and no more than 24 hours from the moment of pumping the first portion, having previously cooled it. The recommended frequency of adding milk to the same container is no more than 5 times in 24 hours. In the future, such milk can be frozen at a temperature of -18-20°C. At the end of mixing, note the date and time of the first and last addition of milk.
When can I start pumping* and expressing after giving birth?
To preserve the beneficial properties of breast milk, it is necessary to monitor the time and conditions of its storage, as well as to properly defrost and warm it.
There are 2 types of breast milk defrosting depending on the time spent: slow and fast defrosting.
The milk must be transferred to the refrigerator where it will thaw naturally within 12 hours.
Do not forget to shake the container (bottle, container) with defrosted milk so that it mixes evenly. nine0003
After defrosting, warm the milk: in a water bath, under running hot water (while monitoring the temperature with a thermometer) or with a bottle warmer.
It is not recommended to heat milk in the microwave as with this method of defrosting, it is difficult to regulate the temperature of the milk and the child may be burned.
When mothers are pressed for time, they can quickly thaw their expressed milk using the baby food warmer, which has a defrosting function. Its use will help the parents of the baby:
✓ accurately determine the temperature of the milk
✓ eliminate the possibility of overheating and therefore preserve all the nutrients
✓ save time, as milk reaches the desired temperature very quickly in the warmer
Rules for the use of thawed breast milk
Characteristics of expressed breast milk
Do not be afraid that frozen milk loses its properties. A study conducted in Russia "The influence of freezing and storage time of expressed breast milk on its nutritional, biological value and microbiological safety" by the Scientific Center for Children's Health of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.I. THEM. Sechenov proved that freezing breast milk and storing it for 3 months in Philips Avent containers does not significantly affect the content of such biologically active substances as IgA (immunoglobulin A), lysozyme, TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor beta), as well as phosphorus levels.
and magnesium. The absence of bacterial cell growth during long-term storage of expressed frozen milk allows us to consider it a safe product for infant nutrition. nine0003
The results of the study convincingly showed that feeding a child with both native and thawed expressed breast milk in terms of nutritional and biological value, as well as microbiological safety, is not inferior to feeding from the mother's breast.
Differences related to the way milk is “delivered” and the absence of a specific emotional and tactile interaction between mother and child when feeding with expressed milk do not detract from the merits of this “product”, which in any case is much superior in quality to artificial substitutes. nine0003
Breast milk is the foundation of a baby's health, so it's no surprise that the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months.
Today, many mothers breastfeed longer, and it's wonderful! But even if the mother needs to be away from home from time to time, a pre-created individual breast milk bank will help the mother provide the child with such valuable nutrition.
Philips Avent will help you with this! nine0026
FAQ:
When a woman expresses milk by hand, even if her hands are washed and hygienic, it comes into contact with air and microorganisms can enter it. In a word, the sterility of the process is violated. There is a risk that after feeding such milk, the child may have an upset gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is safer to use a breast pump* to create a milk bank. nine0003
2. How long can I feed my baby with expressed milk?
Sometimes situations arise when a mother, for health reasons (for example, taking antibiotics that are incompatible with breastfeeding) or other circumstances, cannot feed her baby for several days. Or the baby himself cannot breastfeed, but needs the beneficial and protective properties of mother's milk. In such cases, expressed milk will help out a lot. With proper collection and storage conditions, expressed milk does not differ in its properties from milk obtained by sucking.
During the entire time of breastfeeding, the baby can be fed with expressed milk. You just need to make sure that the portions are sufficient to saturate the baby. nine0003
3. Is it possible to express milk in several passes and pour it into one container?
Milk can be expressed in several passes, and then combined into one serving only if the expressions were within one day. In addition, it is important to put the volume that has already been expressed in the refrigerator, and gradually add new portions.
4. Can I take expressed milk with me and how can I preserve its quality?
The best way to do this is with a cooler bag. The cooling elements inside it will maintain the required temperature and keep the milk chilled for 2 hours or more. nine0003
*RC No. RZN 2022/17111 dated May 16, 2022
There are contraindications. Consult with a specialist.
*RC No. RZN 2022/17376 dated May 27, 2022
There are contraindications.
Consult with a specialist.
[1] Optimal Time to Initiate Breast Milk Expression in Mothers Delivering Extremely Premature Infants.- Leslie Parker, Martina Mueller, Sullivan Sandra and Charlene Krueger, 2017.
[2] Increasing breast milk production for premature infants with a relaxation/imagery audio tape. - Feher SD, Berger LR, Johnson JD, Wilde JB.- Feher SD 1 , Berger LR, Johnson JD, Wilde JB.
[3] Principles for Maintaining or Increasing Breast Milk Production - Jacqueline C. Kent, Danielle K. Prime, and Catherine P. Garbin)
[4] World Health Organization CH - 1211 Geneva - 27. Switzerland. UNICEF, 1993 Nutrition Section (H - 10R) 3 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 USA
[5] World Health Organization CH - 1211 Geneva - 27. Switzerland. UNICEF, 1993 Nutrition Section (H - 10R) 3 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 USA
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