Reasons for Collecting and Freezing Breast Milk
Women express their breast milk for many reasons. When you collect expressed breast milk correctly, you can freeze and store it for six months or even longer. You may choose to pump and freeze your breast milk if:
You are returning to work or school, but you would like your child to continue to receive your breast milk. You need to relieve the pain and swelling of breast engorgement. You want to create a supply of breast milk to use when you’re no longer breastfeeding. You want to slow down a forceful let-down reflex or a fast flow of breast milk. You would like to provide your baby with breast milk when you cannot be with him or her.
How to Freeze Breast Milk
If you are pumping breast milk for a premature baby or donating to a milk bank, the collection and storage process may be more strict. Ask the hospital staff or the representative at the milk bank for the proper collection and storage guidelines to follow. The following are step-by-step instructions for collecting and freezing breast milk that you plan to use at home for your healthy, full-term baby.
How Long You Can Freeze Breast Milk
The type of freezer you have will determine how long you can store your frozen breast milk.
A Freezer Attached To a Refrigerator With Its Own Door: Breast milk can be stored in a standard Side by Side, or Top and Bottom Refrigerator/Freezer Unit, for up to 6 months.A Freezer Compartment Within a Refrigerator: Breast milk can be stored in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator for approximately two weeks.A Stand Alone Freezer: Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer without a defrost cycle for up to one year.
Freezing Breast Milk for Child Care
If your child goes to a babysitter or a daycare, ask about their breast milk policy. When labeling your breast milk with the date and time, don’t forget to include your name and your baby’s name.
Thawing Frozen Breast Milk
When it’s time to use your frozen breast milk, follow the guidelines for the safe thawing and warming of breast milk.
Check the dates and follow the guidelines for safe storage above. Thaw the oldest collection within the guidelines first. Once frozen breast milk is thawed out, you should not refreeze it. To safely thaw frozen breast milk you can place it in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker thaw, you can place it in a container of warm water or hold it under warm running water. You should not thaw your breast milk at room temperature. You can use defrosted breast milk right away or place it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You should not defrost or warm breast milk in the microwave or a pot of boiling water on the stove.
