What are the storage times of breast milk?

So, you've expressed your breast milk (either by pump or by hand). By the way.. check out my FREEBIES section on here to download a FREE GUIDE to hand expressing (click here).

NOW WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?

It is sooo confusing to know what to do with your breast milk, when to store it, when to chuck it... no wonder we aren't always getting it right.

One thing I would say before we get into it, do not, under any circumstances waste that precious milk!!

If you have noticed that you have reached the max limit in the fridge (or freezer for example) then make it into a milk bath, use it on your baby's skin if they are dry or sore (there SO many ways we can utilise colostrum and breast milk)!

Anyway, I will stop blabbing on now...

Here is the STORAGE GUIDE

You can leave it in your room temperature for 5-6 hours (not boiling hot house holds or the peak of summer though, obvs just needs to be a normal room temp!)

You can leave it in your fridge for 5 days.

You can leave it in your freezer for 6 months!

Midwife Lily's Top Tip: Make sure all your milk has an "expressed date" or a "chuck it date" so you know where you are with it.

& I would recommend some milk storage bags like these from Tommee Tippee: click here!

Don't waste freezer space and bottles.

Hope this is helpful, speak soon,

Midwife Lily x