Things to be kept in mind while storing breast milk



- The breast milk should be always stored in breast milk storage bottles that have sealable tops.

- Before the milk is poured into the bottles, it should be ensured that the bottles are properly sterilized and cleansed.

- The breast milk should be stored in small amounts and as per the requirements of the infant so that no milk is wasted.

- The milk should not be kept for more than 6 hours in room temperature, more than 6 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the standard freezers.

Breast milk storage containers and bottles

Breast milk can be effectively stored in the bottles, which fit directly on the breast pump that you are using. After you pump your breasts you are just required to take out the pumping tubes, cover them with the bottle lids, label the poured milk and then put the bottle safely in the fridge. Many of the breast-pump carrying-cases come with built in cooler like compartments. They can be used for the purpose of storing the ice packs or the recently pumped milk bottles. If used optimally and properly, these cool the pumped milk till you come home and store it in the freezer or the refrigerator.

While selecting the breast milk storage bottles

When you go to the market you will find a plethora of breast milk storage bottles. The biggest question is how to select the bottle that will serve the best function. Bottles made from glass, stainless steel and/or plastic are easily available in the market.

The most important thing that you should keep in mind when selecting breast milk storage bottles is that how long you plan to store the milk. One of the milk storage options, the storage bags are especially meant for freezing. If you are looking forward to buy those bottle liners, which are disposable, then they may need additional protection for preventing leakage and possible contamination. If you would want to freeze the milk in harder containers, then it is best to opt for glass bottles and storage containers. This is so because they are least absorbent and thus provide the maximum protection. They allow the milk to expand when frozen.

Plastic containers versus glass containers

Ample researches have been conducted to find out which of the breast milk storage bottles are best - the glass ones or the plastic ones. Most of the studies claim that the glass bottles should be the first choice as they are better for the purpose of storing milk as they provide utmost protection from any plausible contamination. The second choice should be the hard plastic and the third should be the cloudy hard plastic.