Storing Breastmilk
You can express breastmilk and store it in clean containers. Your partner or a sitter can feed your milk to the baby. This way, your baby gets the benefits of breastmilk even when you can’t be there at feeding time.
Type of Storage | Storage Times |
Room temperature | |
| 6 to 8 hours |
Refrigerator | |
| 5 days |
Refrigerator freezer | |
| |
| 2 weeks |
| 3 to 6 months |
Chest or upright deep freezer (-4°F or -20°C) | 6 to 12 months |
Guidelines for Breastmilk Storage
Always use a clean container to collect and store breastmilk. Never pour warm expressed breastmilk into a bottle with cold milk. And be sure to label and date each bottle of milk. To store breastmilk safely, see the chart below.
Source: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. (Original protocol March 2004; revision 1 March 2010.)
Warming Stored Milk
Thaw frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water. Before using it, warm any breastmilk that has been in the refrigerator. For your baby’s safety:
Use the oldest milk first
Warm a container of milk by putting it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Or, use a bottle warmer set on low.
Gently swirl the milk to mix it. Then spill a few drops on your wrist. The milk should be near room temperature.
DO NOT put the milk in a microwave. This could create pockets of hot liquid that can burn the baby’s mouth.