How to conserve breast milk

The preservation of breast milk is a more common practice than a priori can be thought of and more and more mothers choose this formula. There are several options when preserving breast milk, at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer. Below we explain what each of them consists of.

The preservation of breast milk is a more common practice than a priori can be thought of and more and more mothers choose this formula.

There are several options when preserving breast milk, at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer. Below we explain what each of them consists of.

What is the correct formula for storing the extracted milk

Breast milk can be preserved once it has been extracted from the mother's breast, either manually or with a breast pump. The most important when storing is that the container where it is going to keep this clean and sterilized to avoid possible contamination of the milk. In addition, a label or sticker must be affixed with the date in which the milk has been extracted.

How and where to conserve breast milk

If the option that has been chosen is preservation at room temperature, it must be taken into account that the temperature should never exceed 25 degrees Celsius and at most it can be prolonged up to 8 hours.

In the case of storing breast milk in the refrigerator, breast milk can be stored for a maximum of 3 days, provided that the refrigerator does not exceed the temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.

Finally, if you choose to conserve breast milk in the freezer, you have to take the temperature into account. If the freezer is at -18 degrees Celsius, it can be kept up to a maximum of 4 months, while if the temperature reaches -20 degrees Celsius, its conservation can be extended up to 12 months. Once defrosted, it should be used within 24 hours after thawing and if there is milk left over from the outlet, it can not be frozen again.

How much breast milk can be stored?

In the beginning, all the quantity that is required can be conserved, but it is advisable to keep it in portions that may later be optimal. It is best to know the amount of milk that the baby usually drinks and keep it in that proportion, thus avoiding milk waste and easier handling for the milk.

Diego Fernández. Editor of Guiainfantil.com