How Long Does My Breast Milk Stay Fresh?

Breast milk storage guidelines can be incredibly complicated to decipher.  With each pump company and breastfeeding website having its own storage and handling recommendations, how's a mother to know which one to follow?  Plus, throw in whether the baby is full-term, pre-term, healthy, or in the NICU, and we have quite a confusing situation.

After delving into our lactation consultant guidelines for human milk storage, I think I have the definitive list for you….at least for this year!

How long does my breast milk stay fresh?

Here are the recommendations, for a healthy infant, according to the Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice, 2012:

Room Temperature 72 º:   6 -10 hrs.

Refrigerator:  5-7 days

Insulated cooler with ice pack: < 24 hrs.

Completely thawed in the refrigerator: < 24 hrs.

Freezer compartment in 1-door refrigerator: 2 weeks

Freezer door in 2-door refrigerator (not in door): 3-6 months

Deep freezer: 6-12 months

Here are the recommendations for a hospitalized infant, according to the Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice, 2012:

Room Temperature 72 º: < 4 hrs.

Refrigerator:  up to 7 days

Insulated cooler with ice pack: < 24 hrs.

Completely thawed in the refrigerator: < 24 hrs.

Previously frozen, brought to room temperature: <4 hrs.

Freezer compartment in 1-door refrigerator: not recommended

Freezer door in 2-door refrigerator (not in door): < 3 months

Deep freezer: < 6 months

How should I store my breast milk?

• Glass or plastic baby bottles

• Clean food storage containers with tight-fitting lids

• Disposable feeding bottle liners and mother’s milk bags

How do I warm my stored breast milk?

• Never use the microwave to warm up breast milk.  Not only does the milk heat unevenly in the microwave (which could cause unintentional burning), but it decreases the anti-infective quality of the milk and reduces its overall health properties (ABM Protocol #8)

• Defrost frozen breast milk in either the refrigerator overnight, by running under warm water, or setting it in a container of warm water. (ABM Protocol #8)

• There have been no studies done to provide recommendations for how long milk can be kept at room temperature after a baby has partially fed from the cup or bottle.  The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends using the milk within 1-2 hrs after baby finished feeding.  (ABM Protocol #8)  Many lactation consultants and pediatricians recommend using the rest of the milk at the next feeding sessions and then throwing any leftovers away.

Do I need to sterilize my bottles and nipples?

• Bottles, nipples, and pump pieces need to be sterilized before you first use them.

• Once a bottle, nipple, or pump piece has been used, sterilizing is unnecessary.  Instead wash everything in hot, soapy water and then rinse, or throw them in the dishwasher.

Less complicated, right?  

I hope that I was able to clarify a few of those difficult-to-figure-out questions you had. 

Now go.... breastfeed, pump, and give that delicious goodness to your child!  And, definitely check back in a few years to see if anything has changed!

How Can I Keep Up My Milk Supply While on a Business Trip?

Dear SDBFC,

Do you have tips on your first (business) trip without the baby when you're breastfeeding and have to pump (in my case, baby will be 9 mo.)? 

Thank you!

Kristi

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Dear Kristi,

Absolutely!  Taking a business trip, when you have a breastfeeding baby at home, doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds.

Here are a few tricks to maintain your milk supply and keep your baby comfortable while you are away from him.

1. If you have the opportunity, pump a few extra times a day for a good two weeks before your leave on your business trip.  An extra pumping session in the morning and right before bed can help to build a surplus in your freezer for when you are away.

2. Make sure your little one is used to taking the bottle several weeks before you leave on your trip.  There is nothing more frustrating for a partner or caregiver if the baby is refusing the bottle when mom is gone.  Plus, you won't have to worry about what your baby is going to eat while you're travelling.

3. Bring a double, electric pump AND a hand pump with you on your trip.  The double electric will hang out in your hotel room or accompany you to work.  This will insure that you are truly DRAINING your breasts several times a day.  Try pumping 15-20 minutes at a time, with some breast massage.  

The hand pump is great for the inconvenient times where you only have a few minutes to pump, but you want to relieve the fullness.... like on the plane or during a business dinner that went a lot longer than you anticipated.  This will help so your aren't leaking through your snazzy business blouse or exploding any shirt buttons:)

4. Create a pumping schedule that allows you to pump several times a day while you are away.  Kristi, since your baby will be 9 months old, my guess is he is probably nursing (about) 5 times in a 24 hr period.  If that's the case, try to pump 5 times in 24 hours while you are away from him.  This may mean you have to wake up once in the middle of the night to get in that extra pumping session, but it will be worth it to help maintain your supply.  Plus, this separation is only temporary!

5. Bring a small cooler with blue ice to keep your pumped milk fresh during those work hours.  Transfer it to the hotel fridge when you get back to your room.  Your milk will stay fresh for 24 hours in the cooler with the ice packs and 5-7 days in the hotel fridge.  No need to pump and dump!

Large freezer bag6. Pack a larger freezer bag that zips (think Trader Joe's freezer bags) and some extra ice packs.  This is for the ride home.  You can take all of your pumped milk back home with you.  Just store it in breastmilk storage bags, place it in the freezer bag with ice packs, and pack it in your checked bag.  No need to even have a discussion with TSA about your breastmilk:) 

7. When you get back home, my guess is that you and your little guy will want to take a mini nursing honeymoon, which means just nurse and nurse whenever either one of you wants to.  Reconnect and enjoy one another!

Warmly,

Robin

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What tricks have worked for YOU when you went on a business trip away from your breastfeeding little one?

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