Breast milk provides a perfect source of nutrients for
babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that breastfeeding can help
protect babies from diseases, ear infection, colitis, Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS), and some kinds of cancer. However, breastfeeding is not always
convenient, especially when you’re working, on vacation or in certain
situations in which you don’t feel comfortable to breastfeed your baby (in public
places). Freezing breast milk can allow you to increase the flexibility and
freedom while preserving your baby receiving the perfect food of nature.
Freezing breast
milk can allow you to increase the flexibility and freedom while preserving
your baby receiving the perfect food of nature.
Things you’ll need
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Glasses or hard plastic bottle
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Labels
Instructions
Buy clean glass bottles, hard plastic bottles or plastic
bags dedicated for freezing milk. Avoid using plastic bags that have been
stored milk for a long time because they can cause leaking, spilling or get
infected with bacteria more easily than glass and hard plastic bottles do.
Breast milk can also get stuck in the plastic bags during the storing process,
causing losses of some essential nutrients.
Pour in a bottle 2-4 ounces of breast milk. Each bottle
should contain an amount of milk for one-time feeding. Store breast milk
containing plastic bags in a plastic or glass box which helps prevent leaking
while storing the milk. Leave 1 inch of space counted from the top of the box –
breast milk can rise when being frozen.
Label boxes with baby’s name and dates. Place the boxes
inside the fridge, in places that provide the lowest temperatures. Breast milk
can be stored safely in the refrigerator freezer from 3 to 6 months. If you use
chest freezer, breast milk can be stored in longer time – from 6 to 12 months.
Label
breast milk containers with baby’ name and dates
Move boxes of frozen milk to the refrigerator the day before
you plant to use it – breast milk need 24 hours to defrost completely. If you
need to use the milk immediately, take the box out of the freezer and place it
in a bow filled with warm water or under running warm water until it reach
normal temperatures. Avoid defrost breast milk in normal temperatures, which
can lead to the fact that bacteria develop in the milk.
Tips and warnings
Clean your hands
before processing breast milk and containers.
·
Before processing breast milk and milk containers, clean your
hands with soap and water.
·
Use defrosted breast milk in the 24 hours after that. Remove
excess milk. Avoid freezing defrosted milk.
·
Avoid storing breast milk in home plastic bags or one-time
plastic bags.
