Human Milk Storage Guidelines
The guidelines in this post are sourced from the CDC’s recommendation for human milk storage which can be found HERE.
There are many reasons why one would pump or express milk and need to store it for later: going back to work, separation from the baby, or even “just in case”.
Making sure that your milk is stored safely for your baby and doesn’t go to waste can be overwhelming to navigate but with a few guidelines, you can feel confident in storing the milk you’ve worked hard for.
How to get started: Getting started storing your milk begins before it’s expressed or pumped. Start with clean hands by washing your hands well with soap and water or using hand sanitizer if washing is unavailable. Clean your pump parts or hand expression containers with warm, soapy water, rinse and allow to air dry.
How much to store: Consider storing milk in smaller 2-4oz (60-120mL) portions to reduce waste if not all is used at one time.
Countertop, Fridge or Freezer:
Countertop: Human milk has anti-bacterial components that help it stay fresh . Freshly pumped or expressed milk can stay at room temperature (up to 77F/25C) for 4 hours. Milk that was thawed from frozen can be on the counter for 1-2 hours. This may be a good option if the baby will eat in a few hours.
Fridge: Freshly pumped or expressed milk can stay in the fridge up to 4 days. Milk thawed from frozen can stay in the fridge for 24 hours. The fridge is a good option if you are pumping for the next day or thawing in the fridge overnight to go to daycare in the morning.
Freezer: Freshly pumped or expressed milk can be in the freezer up to 6-12 months. That’s quite a long time! Milk that has been thawed from frozen should NEVER be re-frozen. The freezer is a good option for milk being stored for more than a few days like if you’re storing up for a trip without your baby.
What to store in: Store your milk in small quantities in bottles with well-fitting topes or in freezer bags designed for storing human milk. If storing in the freezer, allow space at the top for it to expand as it freezes. Store in the back of the fridge or freezer where it will be the most consistent temperature.
How to use later: You can thaw milk from frozen by placing it in the fridge overnight, placing the container in warm water, or using a waterless warmer. NEVER use a microwave or boiling to thaw; it may create hot pockets of uneven heating. You can feed your baby cold or warmed milk, whatever they prefer.
How much should I keep in the freezer? Whatever you want! Social media can make it seem like if you don’t have a full freezer full, you won’t have enough for later. Generally, you can have 72 hours worth of milk in the freezer when going back to work to allow for adjustment to pumping and being away from the baby but this is not a requirement. There is no magic number of the amount you need in your freezer. Feed your baby not the freezer.
What if the bottle was started but not finished? You can continue to use within 2 hours of the feed. After that time, bacteria from the babies mouth may contaminate what is left. Storing milk in smaller quantities may help prevent waste
What if I’m not near a fridge or freezer? Some circumstances may require you to get creative with your storage like if you are going camping or taking a long car ride. Milk can stay in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs up to 24 hours while traveling. Milk can then be stored in the fridge or frozen upon arrival. See TSA Guidelines for how to travel by plane with your milk HERE.
