Whoever said you shouldn’t “cry over spilled milk” must not have been a breastfeeding mom!
Pumping breastmilk is taxing work, and many nursing moms can recall at least one tearful moment after spilling a bottle.
One of the best ways to make sure you don’t lose any of your precious breastmilk is to follow the guidelines for handling and correctly storing your milk.
Like cow’s milk, human breast milk can go bad. To avoid having to toss any of your breast milk down the sink, follow these guidelines:
Breastmilk Handling and Storage Guidelines
First, always wash your hands and make sure to sterilize your breast pump parts as well as the storage containers. Washing your breast pump parts and storage containers in hot soapy water will kill any bacteria that could make your baby sick.
How long is breast milk good for?
The shelf life of breast milk depends on what temperature at which it’s being stored.
- At Room Temperature = Breastmilk should not be out for longer than 6 hours at room temperature. If the room is warm, it should be discarded after no more than 4 hours.
- In an Insulated Cooler = Breastmilk can be stored for 1 full day in a cooler.
- In the Refrigerator = Milk can be stored for up to 5 days in the fridge, but it’s best to use it within 3 days of pumping. Store breastmilk near the back of your refrigerator where it will stay at a more consistent temperature.
- In the Freezer = Breast milk will last up to 12 months when frozen. It’s best to use within 6 months. Again, store it near the back of the freezer where the temperature remains consistent.
For more answers to your breastfeeding questions read: Breastfeeding 101.