STORAGE OF BREASTMILK

Always use a sterile container to store your milk.

Fresh breastmilk

Breastmilk can be stored in the fridge at between 0-4 degrees C for up to 5 days. Place your milk at the back of the fridge not in the fridge door.

Breastmilk can be kept at room temperature for up to 6 hours, ideally, if you plan to keep your milk for longer then the Breastmilk should be stored in the fridge as soon as possible.

Frozen breastmilk

• Freeze breastmilk as soon as possible
• Breastmilk can be stored In a freezer compartment of a fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Breastmilk can be stored in a deep freeze at -18 degrees or lower for up to 6 months.

To defrost frozen breastmilk

• Defrost the breastmilk in the fridge and use within 12 hours of removing from the freezer.
• If needed immediately, stand the frozen milk container in a jug of warm water (ensuring the water cannot get into the milk). Replace  the water in the jug with warm water as required, until the milk reaches the right temperature (about body temperature). Gently swirl the milk to mix the creamy milk which may have separated. Use immediately and throw away any unused milk at the end of the feed.

Never use a microwave to defrost or heat breastmilk