References:

1. Best Start - Breastfeeding Matters
2. BFI - Breastfeeding Protocol - Expressing, Collecting and Storing of Human Milk

Key Messages:

• Storing breastmilk allows the mom to have a supplement available if needed.
• The length of time you can safely store breastmilk depends on the location it is stored and whether the baby is healthy or unhealthy. These guidelines are only for healthy full term infants once home.

What do I use to store breastmilk?

• Glass or BPA-free hard plastic
• Small jars and bottles with lids, such as a glass jar
• Containers need to be clean but do not need to be sterile
• Pre-sterilized bags meant for human milk storage that can be tightly sealed

How do I clean the jars or bottles?

• Rinse the container in cool water. Wash in hot soapy water and rinse in warm water. Allow to air dry.
• If soap is not available then place items in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and remove all items with clean tongs.
• Cleaned and dry containers should be covered and stored in a dry, clean area away from any food.

Steps for storing human milk:

• Label the milk container before storing with the date and time of expression.
• If not using expressed milk right away it should be transferred to the fridge or the freezer.
• Freshly expressed milk needs to be cooled before adding it to previously cool or frozen milk.
• Store milk in smaller quantities in approximate feeding amounts based on infant age.

How long can I store human milk?

• The length of time that human milk can be stored depends on where it is being stored and whether the milk is fresh or previously frozen.                                                                          BFI - Breastfeeding Protocol - Expressing, Collecting and Storing of Human Milk Appendix D page 21   
• When milk is thawed it should be given a new date and time when there are no ice crystals present. This date and time can be used for the acceptable time limits for storage.
• Gently swirl thawed milk to mix all the fat and nutrients evenly.
• Frozen milk should be thawed in the fridge or under running warm water/warm water bath.
• Frozen milk should not be thawed at room temperature or in the microwave or on the stove top.

How do I warm human milk?

• It is not necessary to warm human milk once thawed as some infants prefer cool milk.
• Warm the milk by running the container under warm water or placing the container in a clean container of warm water.
• Warm the milk over 20 minutes to minimize fat loss and overheating of the milk.
• Make sure there is no contact of the cap of the container and the water.
• If using a container of warm water to warm the milk then make sure that container is clean and dry prior to next use.

Further Your Learning:

1. BFI - Breastfeeding Protocol - Expressing, Collecting and Storing of Human Milk

Shareable Resources for Clients:

1. Best Start - Breastfeeding Matters

Referral Sources:

1. Niagara Parents - Infant Feeding Appointments with a Public Health Nurse - 905-684-7555
2. Health811 - Breastfeeding advice and referrals - 1-866-797-0007
3. La Leche League Canada - Mother-to-mother breastfeeding support - 613-238-5919