Many mothers are working these days or are separated with
their infants for some reason. They need to store breast
milk so that it can be used when needed. Many mothers even find it
convenient and so prefer storing breast milk.
However, there are certain guidelines that one should follow
so that the breast milk is stored and kept safely. Apart from this, you also
need to know how long you can store it at room temperature and how long you
should keep it in refrigerator. You can store breast milk in bags specially
designed for the purpose or in any hard plastic or glass container.
Tips for Collecting and
Storing Breast Milk
Have a quick look at the tips for collecting and storing
breast milk.
- Wash
your hands with soap and water.
- Wash the bottle and
breast pump with hot soapy water
and rinse it thoroughly. You can also sterilise these products especially
when your baby is ill or premature.
- Sterilise
the breast pump at least once a day and follow the instruction manual that
has come with the breast pump carefully.
- Do not
use ordinary plastic bags, formula bags or cow
milk bags to store breast milk.
- Pump
the milk when you are relaxed and feel that your breasts are full.
- Read
the breast milk storage chart and follow the instructions prudently.
- Try to
use the refrigerated breast milk within 48 hours. If you have to store it
for long, keep the packet in deep freezer immediately after you have
pumped it.
- Breastfeed
your baby in the evening or whenever you get time. This will help maintain
the breast
milk supply and will also help you have that special bonding with your
child.
- Seal
and store the packet after every pumping session. It is not advisable to
take out the packet and then add freshly pumped milk after some time. Use
fresh packets each time you pump your breast milk out.
- Before
feeding the infant, you can scald the milk as this will also neutralise
any enzyme or odour.
How to Know Breast
Milk is Spoiled?
If you are properly storing breast milk, you will not face
the problem of having it spoiled. The only thing is that the fat or the cream
of the milk will rise and get deposited on the top of the container. This is
not an indication of milk being spoiled. This is quite normal.
One of the problems that mothers find when they store breast
milk is that there is sometimes a typical odour or soapy appearance of the
milk. Well, this is due to an enzyme and it is not spoiled.
Only when the stored milk tastes sour and smells rancid, it
means that it is spoiled and you need to toss it away. You must be surprised to
know that if proper instructions are followed, breast milk can be stored and
kept for even 6 months.
When you store breast milk, it is better to store in small
portions. The main reason is that when once you take out the stored milk you
cannot restore it. If you store milk in large portions you will end wasting it
if your infant is unable to consume that much within 24 hours. Just keep in
mind that storing breast milk safely is extremely important for the health of
your child.
