BREASTMILK COLLECTION & STORAGE
General Rules:
- Wash all bottles and breast pump parts that touch your breasts or milk each time with hot, soapy water. Air dry on a paper towel or drying rack.
- Sterilize all pump parts once a day for the first 6 weeks of life.
- It is normal for pumped milk to vary in color and consistency depending on your diet. Stored milk will separate into layers and the cream will rise to the top. Gently swirl to mix the layers.
- Be sure to leave some extra room at the top of the bag or storage container so it will not overflow when freezing.
- Thawed breastmilk must be used within 24 hours.
- Breastmilk thaws easily by placing in a cup of hot tap water for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Room temperature: 4 to 6 hours
- Cooler with 3 frozen ice packs: 24 hours
- Refrigerator: 3 to 6 days
- Freezer in refrigerator: 6 months
- Deep freezer: 12 months
