How much of my milk should I store in the freezer?
Although some women may choose to pump large volumes to be frozen, it's a good
idea to actually store the breast milk in 2- to 4-ounce (59.1 to 118.2 milliliters)
portions so as not to waste any. Label the bottles, cups, or bags with the date, then
freeze them.
You also could pour the milk into ice cube trays that have been thoroughly cleaned
in hot water, let them freeze until hard, store them in freezer bags, then count up
the amount of cubes needed to make a full bottle.
My frozen breast milk changed color. Is this OK?
Breast milk that's been frozen or refrigerated may look a little different from
fresh breast milk, but that doesn't mean it's gone bad. It's normal for early breast
milk to look kind of orange and the mature milk to look slightly blue, yellow, or
brown when refrigerated or frozen. And it may separate into a creamy looking layer
and a lighter, more milk-like layer. If this happens, just swirl it gently to mix
it up again.
Thawed milk may smell or taste soapy due to the breakdown of fats in the milk.
The milk is still safe to drink, and most babies won't have a problem with it. If
your baby doesn't like it, the milk can be heated to scalding (bubbles around the
edges) right after it is pumped or expressed and then quickly cooled and frozen. This
switches off the enzyme that breaks down the milk fats.
How do I clean bottles and pump parts?
Before their first use, wash and then sterilize the nipples, bottles, and washable
breast pump supplies (for example, the breast shields and any other part that
touches your breasts or your milk) by boiling them for 5 to 10 minutes. Check the
manufacturer's recommendations for the length of time to boil the parts.
You also can sterilize the parts with a countertop or microwaveable sterilizer,
but boiling works just as well and costs nothing. After that, wash the bottles, nipples,
and pump supplies in hot, soapy water (or run them through the dishwasher) after every
use. They can transmit bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Is it safe to microwave my baby's bottles?
The microwave can create dangerous "hot spots" in bottles of formula or breast
milk, so you should never microwave them. Instead, you can run the bottle
or freezer bag under warm water for a little bit, swirl the bag or bottle around
in a bowl of warm water, or thaw the milk in the refrigerator.
You also can put your baby's bottles in a pan of warm water (away from the heat
of the stove) and then test the temperature by squirting a drop or two on the inside
of your wrist before feeding your baby. And bottle warmers are available for
use at home or in the car.
Date reviewed: February 2015