Storing Breast Milk guidlines -

Room temperature 77°F/25°C Up to 4 hours

Room temperature 59°F/15°C 24 hours in cooler box with ‘freezer pack’

Refrigerator 3-5 days (best kept at the back of the fridge and not in the door) if milk will be stored longer than this freeze it within 48 hours

Previously frozen breast milk in the 24-48 hours

Refrigerator
3-5 days (best kept at the back of the fridge and not in the door) if milk will be stored longer than this freeze it within 48 hours

Previously frozen breast milk in the refrigerator: 24-48 hours

Freezer - Up to 12 months depending on the type of freezer

Freezer compartment within a fridge 2 weeks

Self-defrosting freezer 6 months

Deep freeze with no defrost cycle 12 months

• Refrigerate your milk in a sealed container as soon as possible. Date it so you can keep track how old the milk is.
• Store in small quantities - that way you have less waste, and it’s quicker to thaw or warm. Sterilised ice cube trays can be helpful here.
• It is possible to collect together milk from a number of expressing sessions, but allow each ‘batch’ to cool before adding it to the sealed container.

How Do I Defrost Breast Milk?
It is possible to defrost milk in a number of different ways. These include:
• Placing it in the fridge to defrost slowly.
• Placing the container in a bowl of warm water and changing the water frequently.
• Holding the container of milk under running water (cold tap).
• Never defrost breast milk in a microwave. It can break down some properties and cause ‘hot spots’ that could burn the baby's mouth.

Gently shake the milk before use, the fats may have separated. However, do not shake vigorously.