How to store breast milk safely

Use clean, food-grade containers: Use clean, food-grade plastic or glass containers with tight-fitting lids to store the breast milk. Avoid using containers with a lot of air space, as this can cause the milk to spoil more quickly.

Label the container with the date: Use a permanent marker to label the container with the date the milk was expressed. This will help you keep track of how long the milk has been in the refrigerator or freezer.

Store the milk in the back of the refrigerator: Place the container of breast milk in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent. Avoid storing the milk near the door, where the temperature can fluctuate more.

Use the milk within 3-5 days: Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Freeze the milk if you won’t use it within 3-5 days: If you won’t be able to use the breast milk within 3-5 days, you can freeze it to extend its shelf life. Place the container of breast milk in the back of the freezer, where the temperature is most consistent. Avoid storing the milk near the door, where the temperature can fluctuate more.

Thaw frozen milk slowly: When you are ready to use the frozen breast milk, transfer the container to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly. This will take several hours or overnight, depending on the amount of milk.