To properly store breastmilk, it is important to know that you should store milk in a specific container for this purpose and be very careful when taking, storing and using milk to avoid contamination.
The following images show the glass container and breast milk sachets, which can be found in specialized stores for pregnant and baby products, as well as on the internet.
Before you take out the milk, you should note the date and time the milk was removed and only then begin the extraction process. After extracting the milk, you should close the container and place it in a bowl with ice cold and pebbles for about 2 minutes and then store it in the refrigerator, freezer or freezer. This care ensures quick cooling of the milk, avoiding its contamination.
How long does breastmilk last?
The shelf life of breast milk depends on where it is placed:
- Ambient temperature - 40 minutes. If the baby is premature it is not recommended to store the milk at room temperature;
- Refrigerator - use within 48 hours, but 24 hours for premature baby;
- Freezer inside the refrigerator - not recommended because it can have temperature variations every time you open the refrigerator door;
- Freezer or freezer, with separate refrigerator door - 3 months;
- Freezer with temperature of -20ºC - lasts up to 1 year.
Some important recommendations are not to re-free the breast milk that has been in the room temperature for more than 30 minutes, nor the leftovers of the milk that can remain in the bottle. However, it is possible to refreeze the milk if the container has not yet been used and if it has been in the refrigerator for less than 48 hours.
How to defrost breast milk
To defrost breast milk, you must:
- Remove the milk from the freezer or freezer a few hours before use and allow to thaw slowly;
- Place the container in a bowl of warm water to be at room temperature;
- To know the temperature of the milk, you can put a few drops of milk on the back of the hand. The temperature should not be too high not to burn the baby;
- Give the baby milk in a properly sterilized bottle and do not reuse the milk left over from the bottle because it has already come into contact with the baby's mouth and may be unfit for consumption.
Frozen milk should not be heated on the stove or microwave because it can get very hot, ideally it warms the milk in the water bath.
Useful links:
- Natural remedy to increase the production of breast milk
- How to have more breast milk
