How to store expressed breast milk
How to store expressed breast milk
In a young mother's life,which can not be breastfed: an urgent entry to work, a trip, examinations, health problems and so on. To the baby did not stay without valuable food, expressed milk can be saved.
Choice of dishes
To store expressed breast milk suitableglass containers, containers of transparent plastic. The chosen dishes must be sterilized. To do this, the dishes are first washed with detergents and brushes, and then sterilized using special sterilizers, boiling water or steam. Many manufacturers of breast pumps sell special milk storage containers suitable for breastfeeding - this is very convenient.
Place and time of storage
Breast milk can be stored in a room (at a temperature of 18-20 degrees), in the refrigerator and in the freezer. The storage period depends on the selected location.
At room temperature, milk can be stored for about 6 hours, but it is better not to take risks and keep milk in a cooler place. If the refrigerator is about 4 degrees Celsius, then milk can be stored for up to 8 days.
Storage in the freezer is designed for a longer period: at minus 5 degrees it is possible to store up to 6 months, at a temperature of minus 20 degrees a year.
Use of frozen breast milk. On containers with milk should be information about the date and time of freezing. A portion of milk should be thawed in stages - first in the refrigerator, then at room temperature, then warmed up no more than 37 degrees. After defrosting, you can notice a change in color and smell, but if the smell is not very sharp, then this is normal. Milk can not be frozen twice.
