- Storage Guidelines for breast milk.

Storage Guidelines for breast milk.

ü  Choice of containers

·      Glass is usually considered the best choice for freezing milk because the components of milk are better preserved in glass.

·      Second choice would be hard, clear plastic containers.

                                                                         

ü  Storage guidelines

Freshly expressed milk: refrigerate, as soon as possible, if not using within 4 hours.
Room temperature (24-26ºC)	4 hours
Refrigerated milk: store at back; do not store in-door
Refrigerator (fresh milk)	48 hours
Refrigerator (thawed milk)	24 hours
Frozen milk: store at back; do not store in door; do not refreeze
Freezer compartment inside refrigerator door	Not recommended
Freezer compartment with separate door	3 months
Deep freeze (not attached to refrigerator)	6 months

·         Milk that will be fed within 48 hours of expression should not be frozen but be kept refrigerated at all times, including while being transported to the hospital. It is preferable to collect such milk in plastic containers. Sterile urine containers are acceptable.

·         Milk that will be stored for 48 hours or more should be frozen immediately after expression and transported to the hospital in the frozen state. Transport (on ice or in a cooler) should occur at least once a week, preferably more often. Milk should be frozen in portions approximately equal to the amount needed for one or two feedings.

·         Serve the milk to the infant warm by putting it under running warm water or in a bowel of warm water. Excessive heat modifies or destroys enzymes and proteins.

·         Never use a microwave oven to defrost or warm milk.

·         The fresher the better, however colostrums should be provided to the infant whenever the infant starts feeds. The mother can take her pump kit to the hospital to pump fresh milk for infant’s next feeding. The longer the milk is stored, the more it loses in nutrient and immunological content.

·         The cream will rise to the top of the milk during storage. Gently swirl milk (do not shake) to mix before offering to the infant.

·         Thawing Milk:

► Thaw frozen milk by (slow defrost) overnight in refrigerator.

► Defrost the total amount, as butterfat separates during the freezing process.

► Once thawed, breast milk should be used within 24 hrs.

·         If infant does not finish milk, the unused warmed milk should be discarded at the end of the feeding.