Some women choose to express and store breast milk. You may decide to do this when you return to work from maternity leave. Or you may want to express milk so your husband can breastfeed the baby. Whatever the reason, expressing milk allows you to continue to breastfeed your baby through a bottle. You can buy or rent an electric or manual breast pump to use. Some hospitals and insurance plans offer it for free.
This article answers common questions about pumping and storing breast milk.
The way to improve health
Pumping breast milk
When should I start pumping?
If you plan to pump when you return to work, start exercising a week or two in advance. This helps you learn how your pump works. You can pump right after your baby eats or between feeds. Or you may prefer to pump from one breast while feeding your baby from the other.
Starting at home also helps you build a breast milk collection. You can save it for your baby to eat when you return to work.
How much milk will I get when I pump?
You may not get much milk when you first start pumping. This will change as you continue to pump regularly. Your breasts will start to make more milk. The more often you pump, the more milk your breasts make. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. This will also help your milk supply.
How often should I pump?
It takes the same amount of time to express milk as it takes to breastfeed. With practice, you can pump in just 10 to 15 minutes. While you’re working, try to pump as often as your baby would normally. This could be every 3 to 4 hours for 15 minutes at a time. To maintain your milk supply, give your baby extra feeds when you’re together. You can also pump right after your baby feeds to help your breasts make more milk.
Will there be times when my baby needs more milk than I’m ready for?
Yes, your baby needs more milk during growth spurts. These occur around 2 weeks and 6 weeks of age and repeat around 3 months and 6 months of age. The best way to increase your milk supply for growth spurts is to breastfeed or pump more often.
Breast milk storage
How should I store breast milk?
There are several ways you can store breast milk. You can use plastic or glass bottles with tight-fitting lids. Or you can use a sterile, sealable bag. Store breast milk equal to the amount your baby consumes in one feeding. This way you won’t waste milk. For example, if your baby eats 4 ounces in one feeding, put 4 ounces of breast milk in the container. Always date the container of breast milk so you know how long it should be kept.
Where should I store breast milk?
Store expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible. You can also freeze milk if not using it right away.
How long can I store breast milk?
The shelf life of breast milk varies depending on how it is stored.
- At room temperature (below 77°F), it lasts up to 6 hours.
- In the refrigerator with an ice bag, the shelf life is up to 24 hours.
- In the refrigerator, it lasts 3 to 8 days.
- In the freezer, it lasts up to 6 months.
Things to consider
Stored breast milk can vary in color. It can be bluish, yellowish, or brownish in color. It’s normal for breast milk to split (the fatty part of the milk that floats to the top) is normal. Shake the bottle or sealed bag and the fat will return to the milk. Otherwise, breast milk may spoil. You should smell the milk before feeding your baby. Bad milk has a sour taste. If you’re still unsure, try a milkshake. If it tastes sour, it’s spoiled and needs to be thrown away.
If you choose to freeze breast milk, you need to thaw it before giving it to your baby. There are 2 ways you can defrost milk.
- Put the milk carton in warm water. Swirl the container around in the water until the milk dissolves.
- Place the carton of milk in the refrigerator a day before use.
Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but should not be refrozen. Do not use hot water to thaw breast milk. The milk can be too hot and burn your baby’s mouth. Do not defrost breast milk in the microwave. This can damage valuable proteins in breast milk.