A New Beginning

Breastfeeding

STORAGE LOCATION

Refrigerator 40°F

Freezer 0°F or colder

Countertop 77°F or colder at room temperature

TYPE OF BREAST MILK

Keep in a covered container in the back of the refrigerator – NOT the door

Store in the back of an upright freezer or in a chest freezer Within 6 months is best but may last up to 12 months NEVER refreeze breast milk after it has been thawed

Freshly Expressed or Pumped

Up to 4 hours

Up to 4 days

Thawed, Previously Frozen

1-2 hours

Up to 24 hours

Sources: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, CDC and the Human Milk Banking Association of North America

COLLECTION OF BREAST MILK You can pump directly into any type of clean collection container that is recommended for breast milk. You can combine one pumping with another pumping as long as each pumping is the same temperature. Always cover, label, and date the container. Refrigerate milk from each pumping session and cool it down before combining with another pumping. Cool breast milk in the refrigerator before putting it into the freezer for long-term storage. Label your storage container with the date and the time the breast milk was pumped. STORAGE OF BREAST MILK Freshly pumped breast milk can be left at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months. Store breast milk in the back of the freezer, not the door. Glass bottles and polypropylene plastic bottles best retain the properties of breast milk and are bisphenol A (BPA) free. THAWING OR WARMING BREAST MILK When you are ready to use your refrigerated or frozen breast milk, run warm tap water over the storage container. DO NOT WARM CONTAINER IN BOILING WATER OR IN THE MICROWAVE . This may affect the nutrients in your breast milk and unevenly heat the breast milk and burn your baby. Thawed milk (previously frozen) that is refrigerated should be used within 24 hours.

4-4-6 Guideline*

• Breast milk may be kept at a moderate room temperature for 4 hours . • It can stay for up to 4 days in the coldest part of your refrigerator; if you intend to freeze the breast milk, do so within 4 days of pumping. • You can store breast milk in the freezer (not the door of the freezer) for 6 months . *You may find that, depending on what study or resource book you read, storage tips vary. Please ask your lactation consultant or health care provider for the best storage guidelines and recommendations. The 4-4-6 guidelines are for a healthy, full-term baby. If pumping and storing for a premature baby, please consult your health care team about proper storage guidelines.

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Chapter 9: Breastfeeding