Breastmilk is the best source of nutrients for infants in the first 6 months. However, due to some issues, many working moms stop breastfeeding soon after they return to work. Problems may include inappropriate breastfeeding rooms, a long distance between their working spots and breastfeeding rooms, a lack of facilities, limited time to express milk, and a lack of support from employers. But we can still provide breastmilk to our children by expressing your breastmilk and storing it for later use.
In the absence of the mother, other family members can still provide good nutrition to the baby by feeding them with expressed milk. Thus, mothers must follow the recommended storage and preparation techniques to maintain the safety and quality of expressed breast milk. Before expressing or handling breastmilk, mothers should observe proper hygiene by washing their hands well with soap and water. Mothers can express breast milk by hand or using a manual or electric pump. All pump kits and tubing must be cleaned and those with molds must be discarded and replaced immediately.
After expressing your breastmilk, store it using a breastmilk storage bag or clean, food-grade containers. Make sure the containers are made of glass or plastic and have tight-fitting lids. Avoid bottles with the recycle symbol number 7, which indicates that the container may be made of BPA-containing plastic. Freshly pumped milk can be stored at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. It can also be stored in the refrigerator, and it will last for up to 4 days. In the freezer, you can store it for about 6 months up to 12 months.
Each expressed breastmilk container must be clearly labeled with the date when it was expressed. Avoid storing your breastmilk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. This will help protect the breast milk from temperature changes from the door opening and closing. After expressing your breastmilk, make sure to store it immediately to protect its quality. Also, it is recommended to freeze breastmilk in small amounts (2 to 4 ounces or the usual amount of one feeding) to prevent wasting excess breastmilk. When you are traveling, breastmilk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen iced packs for up to 24 hours. When you reach your destination, use the breastmilk right or store it in the refrigerator for later use.
In thawing the breast milk, always remember the first in, first out rule. The oldest breast milk must be used first instead of the new one. You can thaw your breast milk in the refrigerator overnight, set it in a container of warm water, or under lukewarm running water. Never thaw your breast milk in a microwave as it may destroy the nutrients and may create hot spots which can burn a baby’s mouth. All breast milk that is thawed from the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours from the time it is completely thawed not from the time when you took it out of the freezer. Thawed milk should never be stored or refrozen again. To make sure that your baby receives safe and quality breast milk, follow the Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended breast milk storage guidelines.
ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
References:
1. Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm#:~:text=Freshly%20expressed%20or%20pumped%20milk,to%2012%20months%20is%20acceptable.
