Many working mothers store breast milk as they cannot breastfeed babies frequently. Breast milk can be used for longer time if it stored the right way. It is very important to store breast milk properly and safely as it is a matter of baby’s health. Read on to know find tips for storing breast milk safely.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.
- Pump breast milk for at least three times when you are at work.
- 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.
