Never cry over spilled milk. Unless, of course, it’s breast milk! Handling and storing your baby’s liquid gold is one of the most important aspects of the breastfeeding process. It can be simple if you just follow the “Rules of 4.”
Freshly expressed breastmilk can be left at room temperature for up to four hours. If you are not planning to use your freshly expressed breastmilk within four hours, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Ultimately if the freshly expressed breastmilk will not be used within four days in the refrigerator, you can freeze the milk in a freezer for up to 6 months or a deep freezer for up to 12 months!
An expert tip is to store and freeze your breastmilk in the quantity in which your baby eats. For example, if your baby is eating 5 ounces every few hours, it would be best to freeze your freshly expressed breastmilk in a container or milk storage bag that accommodates 5 ounces. This will prevent you from wasting any leftovers!
Never use a microwave to thaw your breastmilk. Using a microwave can cause “hot spots” in the milk and potentially burn your baby. The safest way to thaw breastmilk is to place it in the refrigerator or lukewarm water. You can place your container or milk storage bag under running water or place it in a bowl with the lukewarm water for thawing. Any thawed breastmilk that is not used within 24 hours should be discarded.
Keeping in mind the Rules of 4 will help to keep your breastmilk clean and safe to feed your baby.
Comments