Hey Mama! 🤍
Whether you’re expressing occasionally, building a freezer stash or pumping regularly, knowing how to safely store breast milk can make life a little easier.
There’s already enough to remember as a new mama, so we’ve put together this simple breast milk storage guide that you can save and come back to whenever you need it.
The guidelines below are based on current CDC recommendations for storing freshly expressed and previously frozen breast milk. (CDC)
Your Breast Milk Storage Cheat Sheet
Save this one for later, mama. 🤍
One small update I would make to your graphic before publishing: the current CDC guidance says previously frozen milk that has thawed and reached room temperature should be used within 1–2 hours, rather than simply “up to 2 hours.” Also, the CDC no longer distinguishes between a standard freezer and deep freezer for storage duration. At -18°C or colder, using frozen milk within 6 months is best, while up to 12 months is acceptable. (CDC)
A Few Helpful Storage Tips
A few simple habits can make storing and using expressed breast milk much easier:
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Wash your hands before expressing or handling breast milk.
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Store milk in breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.
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Label your milk with the date it was expressed.
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Store milk toward the back of the fridge or freezer rather than in the door, where temperatures fluctuate more.
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If you don't expect to use freshly expressed milk within four days, freeze it as soon as possible.
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Freeze milk in smaller portions to help avoid unnecessary waste.
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When travelling, breast milk can be kept in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. (CDC)
Thawing Frozen Breast Milk
When you're ready to use your frozen stash, use the oldest milk first.
Frozen breast milk can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator, in a container of warm or lukewarm water, or under lukewarm running water.
Once completely thawed in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. Once it has been warmed or brought to room temperature, it should be used within 2 hours.
And an important one to remember: never refreeze breast milk once it has completely thawed. (CDC)
Can You Microwave Breast Milk?
Breast milk should not be heated in the microwave. Microwaving can create hot spots that could burn baby's mouth and can damage some of the milk's nutrients.
Breast milk doesn't actually need to be warmed at all. It can be served cold or at room temperature. If your baby prefers it warm, keep the container sealed and place it in warm water or hold it under warm running water for a few minutes. (CDC)
What About Milk Left in Baby's Bottle?
If baby doesn't finish a bottle of breast milk, the CDC recommends using the leftover milk within 2 hours after baby has finished feeding. After that, it should be discarded. (CDC)
Storing and warming smaller amounts at a time can help avoid wasting that precious pumped milk.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Pumping, storing, feeding, washing bottles and starting all over again can feel like a lot, especially during those early weeks.
Having a simple storage system and knowing the basic guidelines means one less thing to second-guess.
Save our Breast Milk Storage Guide to your phone so it's there whenever you need a quick reminder. 🤍
These guidelines are intended for healthy, full-term babies. Storage recommendations may differ for premature or sick babies, so speak to your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your baby. (CDC)