When we supply our babies with breast milk, this is one of the best things that we are doing for them as well as for ourselves as mothers. It may not always be possible for us to breast feed our babies and therefore we may use a breast pump to provide our babies with the milk. So in this case, we will need to know how to store it safely, so here goes.
What To Place It In
· Some breast pumps come with its own "containers" for you to store the milk.
· You can use a sterilized baby bottle with a cover that prevents air from entering the bottle.
· Pre-sterilized nursing bags are manufactured to store breast milk in.
· A sterilized cup with a cover that will keep air out of it.
Where To Store It
· It can be stored at the back of the refrigerator for a maximum of three (3) days. When it is stored in the back of the fridge, this will help to keep the milk cold at all times and therefore helps to prevent early spoilage.
· Breast milk could also be stored at room temperature for up to seven (7) hours. At specific room temperatures, it can last a bit longer. For example at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, at room temperature, it can last up to 24 hours.
· If you will be taking it to work with you, you can place in into a cooler with some ice, and this will help to keep it fresh.
Other Useful Tips
· Always make sure that you wash you hands with soap, before handling the breast pump.
· Put the date, and you can add the time as well, on all the "containers" with milk.
· Always put fresh milk in a sterile "container" and do not add fresh ones with previously pumped ones.
· Do not store a large quantity of it at one setting. Store only small amounts.
· Talk with your health care provider about breast feeding matters.
