Infant Nutrition & Feeding Practices

1.2 Proper Storage and Feeding of Breast Milk

Guidelines for storing and handling breast milk vary depending on different factors that affect the milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on proper storage of breast milk, including freshly expressed or pumped breast milk, thawed milk that was previously frozen, and breast milk leftover from a feeding if an infant finishing feeding before the bottle is empty.

Review the chart in Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk (PDF) showing the length of time breast milk can be stored safety on the countertop, in the refrigerator, or freezer. Pay special attention to guidelines about leftover breast milk.

Steps for Storing Breast Milk

Clearly label bottles of breast milk with the child's full name and the date the milk was expressed.
Store small amounts of breast milk to avoid waste. Store between 2 and 4 ounces, or the amount offered to an infant at one feeding.
Place a cap over the nipple to keep it clean.
Store bottles in the back of the refrigerator where the temperature is colder.
Keep a refrigerator thermometer in the refrigerator and check it regularly. The refrigerator temperature should be 40^o F or lower.

Tips for Preparing & Feeding Infants Breast Milk

Review each tip by selecting the heading.

Wash

Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing and feeding breast milk to infants.

Serve

Serve breast milk at room temperature or cold.

- - To warm refrigerated breast milk, place the bottle in a bowl of warm water or under warm running water.
  - NEVER heat milk in a microwave or on the stove.

Swirl

Gently swirl the bottle if the breast milk separated during storage.

Test

Test the temperature of the milk by putting a few drops on your wrist. Milk should be warm but not hot.

Leftovers

Use leftover breast milk within 2 hours after an infant stops feeding.

Document

Document the amount of milk consumed. At the end of the day, send unused milk with the parent or guardian or as the parents' written preference indicates.