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1. How to Store Breast Milk?
Many first-time moms wonder how to store breast milk. After expressing milk, you should store it in a milk storage container – one of the essential items to prepare before childbirth. The container should be made of safe plastic for your baby's health. Alternatively, you can opt for glass bottles or specialized breast milk storage bags if you prefer not to invest in bottles.
When purchasing, ensure you choose products from reputable manufacturers and storage bags with multiple zip-lock layers to maintain hygiene and prevent bacterial contamination. Do not overfill the bags or bottles with milk; leave a small gap for expansion during freezing and thawing.
It's also a good idea to divide the expressed milk into smaller portions based on your baby's feeding needs to ensure hygiene each time you take it out and prevent waste when your baby doesn't finish it all. Label the stored milk with the date for easy management.
2. How to Store Breast Milk for Daily Use
For breast milk intended for daily use, you can express and leave it at room temperature. The safe duration is under 1 hour if the room temperature is above 26°C, approximately 4 to 6 hours if the room temperature is below 26°C (with or without air conditioning). If your baby doesn't consume it immediately, you can store the milk in the fridge compartment. When needed, warm it using a bottle warmer or immerse the bottle in warm water manually.
3. Storing Breast Milk Without a Refrigerator
After expressing breast milk, avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or near heat sources to preserve its components. Remember, breast milk can only be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 6 hours if the room is not too warm. Another method to prolong storage is to use an insulated cooler box, surround it with ice packs, and store the expressed milk inside. This method extends the storage time significantly.
4. Storing Breast Milk in the Freezer Compartment
Not all freezer compartments are the same. When storing breast milk in the freezer compartment, consider the type of refrigerator you have. If you have a single-door refrigerator where the freezer compartment isn't entirely separate from the cooling compartment, breast milk can only be stored for a maximum of 2 weeks. For double-door refrigerators, the storage time extends to 4 months. Mothers who invest in specialized freezer units can store breast milk for up to six months.
Breast milk storage methods vary depending on each mother's individual circumstances. Whether to invest in a freezer or a conventional refrigerator, mothers should consider their actual usage needs! G
Breast milk storage bags are widely available at mother and baby stores nationwide. Additionally, you can also purchase breast milk storage bags online from reputable mother and baby online stores. Don't forget to use Mytour to find the best quality breast milk storage bags at the most competitive prices in the market today.
