Storing and Preparing Breast Milk
How Should I Store Breastmilk?
Store breastmilk in breastmilk storage bags or in clean, hard plastic or glass containers. Your provider or health plan can help you order milk storage bags.
After pumping, put the milk in the refrigerator or in a cooler bag with ice packs.
If you combine milk from different pumping times, chill the fresh milk in the refrigerator before adding it to milk that is already cold.
How Long Can I Store Breastmilk?
How long you can store breastmilk depends on how fresh it is and where you keep it.
Countertop (Room Temperature) | Fridge | Freezer | Deep Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshly Pumped Milk | Six hours | Six days | Six months | Up to one year |
| Frozen Breast Milk, Thawed | Two hours | Two days | Do not refreeze | |
| Leftover From Feeding | Use within two hours | |||
How to Prepare Frozen Breastmilk
- Thaw the milk.
- Place frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator overnight.
- For faster thawing, hold the sealed container under warm running water or place it in a bowl of warm water.
- Never use boiling water or a microwave to thaw or warm breastmilk.
- Gently mix the milk.
- Swirl the bottle to combine the milk.
- Do not shake hard. This can break down helpful nutrients.
- Warm if needed.
- Warm the bottle by placing it in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes or holding it under lukewarm running water.
- Test a few drops on the inside of your wrist—it should feel warm, not hot.
- Some babies will drink cold or room temperature milk.
- Use right away.
- Use thawed breastmilk immediately, or store it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Do not refreeze thawed milk.
- Leftover milk in the bottle should be used within two hours or thrown away.
More Tips
- Babies may drink a little less milk when you are away. Your baby will eat more when you get back to your routine.
- Always offer breastmilk before formula.
- Do not mix breastmilk and formula in the same bottle.
Feeding Your Baby
