Breast milk is the perfect food for a newborn baby. However, if mom needs to be away, it’s important to know how to preserve her milk. Here’s what you need to know:
Express milk into clean containers with a tight seal. Leave an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion when freezing it.
Date the containers with a permanent marker to ensure that the oldest milk is used first.
Refrigerate or freeze the milk within four hours after expressing it. Use coolers and freezer packs when traveling home.
Store freshly expressed milk in the refrigerator for up to five days, keeping it in the back of the fridge where the temperature is the most consistent.
Use a separate area in your freezer, where the temperature is below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, to store the milk for up to six months. Avoid storing milk on the door of the freezer, since it is exposed to fluctuations in temperature when the door is opened and closed.
When taking frozen milk out of the freezer, it is best to use it within 24 hours. Avoid thawing it in hot water or microwave, as this can damage the quality of the milk. Instead, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
To maintain the quality of breast milk, it’s important to know how to preserve breast milk properly. Be sure to store it in clean containers with a secure lid, leaving room at the top for expansion. Additionally, label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. Refrigerate or freeze the milk within four hours, and use it within the recommended time frames. These steps will help ensure that your baby gets the best nutrition possible.
Ensuring the breast milk stays preserved can be quite a challenge but it’s worth the effort to provide the best possible nutrition for your newborn. By following these simple guidelines you can ensure that your baby will receive all the benefits of nature’s perfect formula.
