Breast milk expiration date: pumping procedure, storage features, pediatrician advice

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Of course, breast milk is the most useful and valuable for a child. No alternative diet can match all the benefits of breastfeeding. Almost every mother knows about the beneficial properties of this product. However, some do not know about the expiration dates of breast milk. This is what we will talk about in the article.

General information

During lactation, young women may encounter various problems and situations, for example:

1. The baby bit his chest.
2. Woman needs to go to work.
3. Baby suddenly refused to breastfeed.
4. It is urgent for a woman to leave.
5. Life circumstances in which the baby must be left at home with a grandmother, a nanny.

As a rule, during such periods, mothers try to express and leave milk in order to solve the problem as gently as possible. Thanks to this, it will be possible not to disturb the baby's diet if you express milk. However, often in such situations the question arises about the shelf life of breast milk. How long can it be stored so that the product does not lose its beneficial properties? How to properly store breast milk?

What does it look like?

Pressed breast milk looks different from the simple one we are used to seeing in bags. As a rule, when it is infused, it begins to separate into layers. The top layer of expressed milk is the fattest part. However, after shaking the container, all the liquid inside becomes homogeneous in its consistency.

Also note that breast milk that has been expressed at different times will look different on the outside. This is due to the fact that the qualitative and quantitative composition changes under the influence of some factors, for example, the drinking regime, as well as the nutrition of a nursing mother.

Storage container

There are several types of containers for storing breast milk. To do this, you can use a glass, plastic or plastic container. This should include various containers, bags, bottles and cups. Speaking about the shelf life of breast milk, you should also pay attention to the fact that it is necessary to adhere to other storage criteria, which should include the tightness of the closure of the container, sterility, and ease of use. In addition, it is desirable that the container has a measuring scale.

Before purchasing a container,it is necessary to decide for what specific purpose it will be used.

Packages

For example, if you are going to freeze milk, it is best to purchase disposable plastic bags for this. Their advantage is that they are hermetically sealed and simply sealed. In addition, they are sterile, made of very dense polyethylene, and are also ready for use. Another plus is that there is a measuring scale on such packages, and there is also a place where you can write the time, as well as the date, so that you can control the expiration date of breast milk. Such packets are currently available at any pharmacy.

Polyethylene bottle liners

Some women prefer to use polyethylene disposable liners for freezing, which fit into a bottle. However, this method is unreliable. They are not intended for normal storage, and during freezing, the seams may burst. When defrosting, all contents will flow out. But if you have no other storage option, then for reliability, milk must be poured into a double bag. Also note that in this case, the shelf life of breast milk after pumping will be short.

Special containers

Glass containers are the most popular among milk storage containers. In second place are plastic containers, and in third place are plastic containers. However, scientists have proven that milk can successfullybe stored in both plastic and glass containers. For convenience, it is necessary to select such a container, the volume of which will be such that it is enough for only one feeding. It is mandatory to indicate the date on the container, as well as the time after pumping. The shelf life of breast milk will then be much easier to control.

Storing milk while walking

Young mothers may face the problem of storing their expressed milk while walking. For these purposes, you can purchase a special thermal bag or a thermos for a bottle. Such devices are quite convenient, especially if you rest for a long time. Thus, you can stock up on several servings of milk at once for feeding your baby.

Where to store?

So, we continue to consider the expiration date of expressed breast milk. The question of the place of storage of this product is very relevant. Between pumping and feeding, certain conditions must be observed to conserve milk.

For example, if you want to store milk for a long time, freezing is the best way to do it. Only fresh expressed milk is suitable for this purpose. Before freezing, be sure to leave the milk in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. To check the expiration date of breast milk in bags, do not forget to write the time and date. Of course, the frozen product will lose some useful properties, but it is allwill still be better than artificial infant formula.

If the expressed milk will be used for several days, then it can be stored simply in the refrigerator. The shelf life of breast milk in the refrigerator, of course, will be less than in the freezer, but the chilled product will retain almost all of its beneficial properties in this form. The main condition is that milk cannot be left on the refrigerator door.

If you intend to store breast milk at room temperature, the shelf life will be very short. We will talk about this below. Storage must be carried out in this case in a sterile container, with a tightly closed lid.

Rules for heating and defrosting milk

If you want to thaw your expressed milk, first place it in the refrigerator to avoid sudden changes in temperature. After that, the portion is poured into a feeding bottle, and then heated in a water bath. You can also purchase a special bottle warmer to make it convenient for you to warm up your milk. Please note that in no case should the food product be heated in the microwave, in a saucepan, and also should not be boiled. In such cases, the milk will lose all its beneficial substances. Also, never freeze defrosted milk. In such situations, all the useful properties of the product will also be lost.

Freezing Rules

So that mother's milk retains the maximum of its unique beneficial properties, and also does not deteriorate during storage,you need to know how to freeze food properly. Never sterilize milk. However, storage containers must be sterile. Expressed milk must first be cooled in the refrigerator for 2 hours, then placed in the freezer. Be sure to mark the container.

If you want to add a new portion of milk to an already frozen product, it must also be pre-cooled so that the part that was prepared earlier does not melt. Choose the amount of serving you need.

Breast milk expiry date

How long can expressed milk be stored? The duration of storage will depend on the conditions under which this product is stored. Consider them separately.

Refrigerator

If you store expressed milk in the refrigerator, it can stay there for up to one day if the temperature is between +4 and +6 degrees. At the same time, pay attention to the fact that milk should be stored as deep as possible. Fresh food must be cooled before being placed in the refrigerator.

Freezer

What is the shelf life of frozen breast milk? In the freezer, the expressed product will be stored at a temperature of -13 to -8 degrees. Under such conditions, milk can be up to 3 months. And if the temperature is from -18 to -20 degrees, then the shelf life is up to 1 year. Expressed milk must be chilled in the refrigerator before freezing.

Room

Now consider what will be the shelf life of breast milk at room temperature. A fresh product in such conditions can be no more than 10 hours (at a temperature of +19 to +22 degrees). At the same time, pay attention to the fact that if the air temperature is up to +25 degrees, then milk is stored for no more than 6 hours. If the temperature is more than +25 degrees, then the shelf life is a maximum of 3 hours. Scientists have proven that the substances that make up expressed milk counteract the multiplication of various microbes, which is why the milk does not spoil.

Some tips from pediatricians

If the expressed milk separates when standing, then this is absolutely normal. In such situations, the product must be shaken well to ensure uniformity.

If the milk is sour, then in no case should it be given to your baby.

If thawed milk has stood for more than a day, then it should never be given to a child either.

Also note that you should never refreeze your expressed milk.

The most common mistakes

As mentioned earlier, a microwave oven is not suitable for heating expressed milk. This is due to the fact that microwave radiation negates all the beneficial properties of breast milk. In addition, the product is heated unevenly, and the protein structure in the liquid itself changes.

Unable to control milk heating. Usually for onemilk can be brought to a boil for a minute, after which it can no longer be used for its intended purpose.

Boiled breast milk has no he alth benefits, nor does reheated milk.

Small conclusion

Breast milk is the best, he althiest and most appropriate food for your baby. It is perfectly balanced, so you need and can store it for future use, in particular, if you have to leave your child often. In most cases, the more often mothers express breast milk, the more it is produced by the body. In addition, it will not spoil if frozen for a long time, but needs to be heated carefully. If for some reason a mother had to leave her child, he still has the opportunity to have a delicious lunch with his favorite milk, getting all the useful properties for harmonious development, as well as normal weight gain.

Storing your expressed breast milk is an excellent solution to many of the problems associated with a baby's feeding schedule. The most important thing in this case is that the fair sex must necessarily study the conditions and rules for storing such an indispensable food product for her child.