Pumping breast milk offers incredible flexibility for working mums, those looking to increase their supply, or anyone wanting to share feeding duties. However, proper storage and handling are essential to ensure your baby receives the maximum nutritional benefits while avoiding potential contamination.
Ardo Medical have an essential range of accessories to make the process easier, and this guide will walk you through safe breast milk storage and usage.
Why Safe Storage Matters
Breast milk is a living substance packed with vital antibodies, nutrients, and enzymes. Improper handling may reduce the nutritional quality of breast milk and increase the risk of contamination, which could affect your baby’s well-being. That’s why following proper storage guidelines is so important.
Have You Heard of the 666 Storage Guide?
An easy way to remember breast milk storage times is the 666 storage guide:
- 6 Hours at room temperature (up to 25°C)
- 6 Days in the fridge (at 4°C)
- 6 Months in the freezer (-18°C or colder)
While these are general recommendations, always consider factors such as storage conditions and container type to maintain the highest quality.
Key Guidelines for Safe Breast Milk Storage
Prioritising Hygiene
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before pumping or handling breast milk.
- Ensure your pump parts and storage containers are clean. Ardo Medical offer Easy Clean Microwave Bags help keep accessories hygienic and ready to use.
Choosing the Right Storage Containers
- Use containers specifically designed for breast milk storage. Avoid general-purpose plastic containers or bags not intended for this purpose.
- Ardo Breast Milk Storage Bags: Leak-proof bags with a secure double zipper and a write-on panel for easy labelling. They are space-saving and designed to freeze flat.
- Ardo Breast Milk Storage Bottles: Designed for use with our traditional breast shells, and safe for storing breast milk in the fridge or freezer. If used for storage straight after pumping, use the provided lid and avoid putting the breast shell in the fridge.
Labelling and Dating
Keeping track of when breast milk is expressed is just as important as knowing how long it can be stored. Research suggests that breast milk composition changes throughout the day to meet your baby’s needs:
- Morning milk tends to have a higher volume, more water, and increased cortisol levels to help keep your baby alert.
- Night-time milk often contains more fat and melatonin, which supports relaxation and sleep.
To ensure your baby receives the most appropriate milk at the right time, it’s best practice to label not only the date but also the time you pumped. Our Easy Store Bags include a designated space for both, helping you organise your supply efficiently. Plus, they keep your breast milk safe for up to 12 months in the freezer when stored correctly.
Freezing Breast Milk
- Leave some space in the bag or bottle, as breast milk expands when frozen.
- We recommend freezing milk in small portions (60 – 120 ml) to minimise waste.
- Lay storage bags flat in the freezer for faster and more even freezing while saving space.
Thawing and Warming Breast Milk
- The safest way to thaw frozen breast milk is overnight in the refrigerator.
- You can also place the container in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm water.
- Avoid microwaving breast milk, as it can cause uneven heating and degrade valuable nutrients.
- Once thawed, use the milk within 24 hours. Do not refreeze thawed breast milk.
- Warm the milk to body temperature (around 37°C) before feeding.
Handling Thawed Milk
- Gently swirl (do not shake) the milk to mix any separated fat.
- Always test the temperature before feeding your baby.
Ardo Medical Products for Optimal Storage
- Ardo Breast Milk Storage Bags: 180ml, leak-proof, and space-efficient for safe freezer storage.
- Ardo Breast Milk Storage Bottles: Compatible with Ardo pumps, ideal for both pumping and storage.
Tips for Maintaining Milk Quality
- It is generally recommended to only combine milk that was pumped within the same 24-hour period.
- Avoid mixing freshly pumped milk with already chilled or frozen milk. If combining milk from different pumping sessions, cool the fresh milk in the fridge before adding it to the older milk.
- If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, discard the remaining milk after six hours at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
By following these guidelines and using high-quality storage solutions from our range of accessories, you can confidently store and use your pumped breast milk—ensuring your little one gets the best possible nutrition every time!
