The Ultimate Guide to Storing Breast Milk Safely (Breast Milk Storage Bags & Tips)

You and your baby are learning how to breastfeed amongst all the other challenges the fourth trimester throws at you, it’s no wonder breastfeeding mums feel overwhelmed by it all. Breastfeeding, pumping, and breast milk storage can be made simple as long as you have the right tools and a plan!

This guide promises to deliver on both. Recommended pumping essentials like breast milk storage bags used alongside the ultimate guide to breast milk storage will turn overwhelm into confidence. A great breast milk storage setup can result in shorter prep times, less mess, and confidently pumping on-the-go.

Why Proper Breast Milk Storage Matters

Breast milk is a complex and nutrient-rich liquid that is sensitive to temperature changes. To ensure the breast milk is safe to drink and the nutrients and antibodies are preserved, proper breast milk storage solutions are essential. This is important for all babies and children who consume breast milk, but particularly for newborns and premature babies, whose digestive systems are still underdeveloped.

The same with any fresh food product, it has a shelf life and breast milk is no different. When breast milk is stored, it’s normal to see the milk separate (fat rises to the top). This guide covers how to store and prepare breast milk so you can spot if a bottle is showing signs of spoilage.

Pumping Changes How You Store Breast Milk

Exclusive pumping mums need a milk storage routine, not just one-off milk storage tips. Pumping means you’re expressing breast milk multiple times a day, freezing for later use, and probably transporting milk on a daily basis. A pumping routine is often coupled with a breast pump-compatible storage solution to make pumping and breast milk storage a breeze.

Keep reading to use a “done for you” milk storage routine. If you’re interested in reading up on a breast pumping routine too, you can scroll through those here: The Ultimate Power Pumping Schedule: How to Maximise Your Sessions

How to Store Breast Milk Correctly

1. Choosing the Right Container

There are a number of practical breast milk storage containers and there is a time for each one to be used depending on your routine. Breastfeeding storage bags are a popular choice because you can pump directly into them, are sterile, space-saving, and freezer-friendly. This makes them an ideal choice for pumping mums as it gives flexibility.

Other popular choices are:

• Glass bottles and pitchers
• Plastic bottles
• Vacuum-insulated containers

These options are commonly used because they make breast milk storage simple, easy to label, and they are easy to transport. However, with some you would need to decant into a baby bottle or store in larger quantities which could make milk prep less efficient. Some breast milk storage bags are designed to work with specific breast pumps, allowing mums to pump directly into the bag, reducing transfers and spills.

2. Safe Handling Before Storage

To reduce the risk of contamination, it’s essential to practice good hygiene when expressing, storing, and preparing breast milk.

• Wash hands thoroughly
• Ensure pump parts and bottles are clean
• Always label each bag with date, time, and volume of milk
• Leave room in bags for expansion if you’re storing them in the freezer

3. Breast Milk Storage Time Guidelines

How long can breast milk last in the fridge?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the main compartment of the fridge for 4-8 days. If you have an ice drawer in your fridge, you can store breast milk in this drawer for up to 14 days.

How long does breast milk last in a freezer?

If your freezer is set to be -18° or lower, you can store breast milk for up to 6 months.

How long does breast milk last at room temperature?

Fresh breast milk can be used within 4 hours at room temperature. However, if you’re using milk leftover from a feed that had been stored in the fridge, for example, it must be used within 2 hours.

How to Freeze Breast Milk for Best Results

If you want to store breast milk in the freezer, you must check that your container is suitable for freezing. Breast milk storage bags are commonly used because they are small to store and can be stacked when laid flat.

Freezing breast milk means pumping mums can create a milk stash which can be useful for other caregivers to feed with. It’s best to store breast milk in small quantities (2-4oz) to reduce waste but it also means it will freeze/thaw quickly. Labelling milk with a date and time and storing in this order ensures you use breast milk within the storing guidelines.

How to Thaw and Warm Breast Milk Safely

The safest way to thaw frozen breast milk is to leave it in the fridge overnight and then use it within 24 hours. If time isn’t on your side, the next best method is to place a sealed breast milk storage bag under warm running water or in a warm water bath to thaw. Breast milk thawed in this way would need to be used straight away and within 2 hours if at room temperature.

Breast milk should never be thawed or heated in a microwave because you risk destroying the nutritional value and creating hot spots which could burn your baby's mouth.

From Pump to Freezer: Simplifying Your Pumping Routine with Lola&Lykke Breast Milk Storage Bags

Pumping mums will agree that expressing takes time and energy, so a solution that saves both feels like a huge win! Parents also want to reduce mess, washing up, prep time, and more importantly risk of contamination. Breast milk storage bags solve a lot of these common niggles, but they’re especially helpful when paired with a compatible breast pump.

The Lola&Lykke Breast Milk Storage Bags are designed to work seamlessly with the Lola&Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump, allowing mums to pump directly into the bag. Parents have the flexibility to store or feed straight from the milk storage bag. Fewer transfers of milk mean fewer steps, less mess, and easier routines for everyone.

Pumping Mum Annika says, “Expressing breast milk is much easier when you can attach the storage bag directly to your pump! This is the luxury you need for the hectic everyday life of a family with a baby”.

Storing Pumped Milk When You’re Out and About

It’s becoming more of a norm now for mums to pump at work or on-the-go because of modern family lifestyles. It’s a statutory right for employers to provide a safe storage space for mums to store expressed breast milk. So, mums need a practical way of transporting milk safely until it can be stored back in a fridge or freezer.

Alongside Lola&Lykke’s all-in-one pumping solution, features a stylish and useful Breast Milk Cooler Bag. It’s designed to work alongside the breastfeeding range to keep milk cool between pumping and storage; it’s about protecting the milk you’ve already worked hard to express. The Cooler Bag is compact, yet spacious, which makes it ideal for storing breast milk and breast pump parts for work days and travelling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There’s no “art form” to doing this perfectly, but there are certainly some do’s and don’ts to be aware of when you are storing milk and using breastfeeding storage bags.

FAQs – What Parents Still Wonder About Breast Milk Storage

1. How long can breastmilk last in the refrigerator?

Breast milk that has been stored in the fridge must be used within 4 days. See the breast milk storage table above for other storing conditions. Breast milk should never be stored in the door of the fridge.

2. How long does breastmilk last in the freezer?

Breast milk that has been stored in the freezer must be used within 6 months. See the breast milk storage table above for other storing conditions. Deep freezers are best and milk should never be stored in the door of the freezer.

3. Can you reheat milk?

Yes, but only once. You cannot heat breast milk repeatedly and you must discard any leftover warmed milk within 2 hours.

4. Are breast milk storage bags safe for long-term storage?

Yes. Look for BPA-free, pre-sterilised breast milk storage bags that are designed for freezing. It’s also useful to have a space to name and date breast milk.

5. Do mother milk storage bags leak?

High-quality milk storage bags shouldn’t leak.Try laying the milk storage bags flat in the fridge or freezer to avoid pressure on the seams.

6. Can you mix freshly pumped milk with already cooled milk?

Yes, but it’s important to cool the fresh milk first before combining. Always use the milk by the “oldest” breast milk date.

Final Thoughts: Safe Milk Storage Helps You Feed with Confidence

You’ve got this far (huge congrats to you!). Breastfeeding routines, pumping schedules, and breast milk storage doesn’t need to be perfect to be safe. Use this guide as your rule of thumb for peace of mind you’re getting it right.

Explore our mother milk storage bags: safe, durable, and designed for effortless pump-to-freeze routines. Fully compatible with our electric breast pump for smooth daily feeding to eliminate unnecessary milk transfers.