How can Breast Milk be Stored?
Sometimes social, work related, psychological and personal reasons prevent mothers from being able to breastfeed the child. In such cases breast milk can be expressed manually or with a breast pump, stored under optimum conditions and given to the infant when needed.
Storage of breast milk -
According to research, the ideal container for storing breast milk is glass or hard-sided plastic containers (plastic that is clear, not cloudy). These containers preserve all its nutrients and immune properties. The best bet would be to invest in plastic bags specially designed for freezing expressed human milk.
Shelf life of breast milk -
Scientists are of the opinion that when human milk is frozen it destroys some of the immune properties in it. Therefore it is best if the baby is given fresh milk i.e. milk that has been expressed and then refrigerated.
| Location of storage | Storage temperature (degrees Centigrade) | Duration |
| Room temperature | 15 degrees C | 24 hours |
| Room temperature | 19-22 degrees C | 10 hours |
| Room temperature | 25 degrees C | 4-6 hours |
| Refrigerator | 0-4 degrees C | 8 days |
| Freezer | 2 weeks | |
| Self-contained freezer unit of a refrigerator | 3-4 months | |
| Separate deep freeze with a constant temperature | -19 degrees C | 6 months or longer |
When the need for transportation arises it is best to do it in insulated containers, so that the condition of the milk remains the same.
