The topic of storing and freezing mom’s milk is quite complicated, so we will try to explain this issue in very simple words. In general, mom’s milk can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator and in the freezer, of course, each form has a different time after which you can not give baby food. It is a good idea to follow a few rules so that your efforts to express milk are not in vain
Expressing milk is an excellent way to leave your baby with valuable food while you are away. So do not be discouraged by complicated procedures of keeping breast milk in the fridge or freezer, just stick to the guidelines which are recommended by lactation consultants and midwives. Remember, when expressing with a breast pump, you should choose the attachments to suit the size of your nipples. If you do not use a breast pump, you may not be able to express enough, which can lead to stagnant breasts. If you do not have a breast pump, you may not be able to pump enough to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. It is important to know that you do not have to express all the milk your baby needs at once. You can prepare your milk by pumping a little at a time for up to 2 days – store what you have extracted in the fridge, but do not mix fluids that have been pumped a long time apart
Mom’s breast milk that has been pumped and is placed on a table or dresser can be stored for a short period of time. This does not mean that you have to give it to your baby immediately after expressing. The milk can stand at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, after which time you should not give it to the baby to drink, but you can use it, for example, pouring it into the bath of the baby
2. In the fridge
She recommends storing breast milk in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. It is best to give breastmilk from the fridge within the first 4 days, as this is when its fats, enzymatic activity and anti-infective properties peak. To keep milk properly chilled, place it in the back of the refrigerator, not in the door of the machine
3. In the freezer
If you know you won’t be giving your baby breast milk over the next few days, it’s a good idea to put it in the freezer. The freezing process should begin within 24 hours of pumping. How long you can store breast milk in the freezer depends on how cold it is. In a device that keeps the temperature close to 0 degrees you can store milk for 6 months. If the freezer freezes to -4 degrees and the milk is deep in the drawer, then you can keep breastmilk in the freezer for up to 12 months
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