Mira Baby
Introduction
Many mothers express milk, whether to prepare for going back to work, to build a supply or to relieve a full breast. Storing expressed milk correctly matters for keeping its nutritional value and its safety.
Ways to Express
- By hand
- With a manual (hand-held) pump
- With an electric pump
Which one is right depends on the mother's needs and comfort.
General Storage Tips
Wash your hands; clean every pump part after each use and let it dry completely. Store the milk in a clean, food-safe container or a breast milk storage bag, labeled with the date and time.
The upper limits below are based on the CDC's home storage guidance for healthy babies born at term:
| Milk / condition | Time |
|---|---|
| Freshly expressed milk, at 25 °C or below | Up to 4 hours |
| Freshly expressed milk, in a refrigerator at 4 °C or colder | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer at −18 °C or colder | Best within 6 months; up to 12 months |
| Milk fully thawed in the refrigerator | 24 hours from when thawing is complete |
| Warmed milk or milk brought to room temperature | Within 2 hours |
| Milk left in the bottle at the end of a feeding | Within 2 hours after the feeding ends; if an earlier time limit applies, go by that one |
Do not stretch these times in a warm room; cool the milk right away if you can. Do not store it in the refrigerator door. Do not refreeze milk that has fully thawed. Do not add the times together back to back to extend the total storage time. In a neonatal intensive care unit or with special health conditions, the care team's plan comes first.
Warming
Warming is not required. If needed, place the closed container in warm water; do not boil it and do not use a microwave. Check the temperature before giving it to your baby.
When Should You Be Careful?
Color and smell alone do not show whether milk is safe; natural changes can happen. Do not use milk if you are unsure about its storage time or temperature. Clean equipment and keeping the milk cold come first.
Summary
Expressing and storing milk correctly lets you use breast milk safely. Labeling and hygiene are the two most important steps.
Sources
This app is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your doctor or pediatrician for decisions about your baby's health.