ACCESSIBLE VERSION: https://bit.ly/2dxVYLU
ACCESSIBLE VERSION: www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breast-milk-preparation-and-storage/
handling-breastmilk.html.
STORAGE AND PREPARATION
OF BREAST MILK
BEFORE EXPRESSING/PUMPING MILK
Wash your
hands well
with soap
and water.
Inspect the pump kit and
tubing to make sure
it is clean.
Replace moldy
tubing immediately.
Clean pump dials,
power switch, and
countertops with
a disinfectant wipe
STORING EXPRESSED MILK
Store in breast milk storage bags or
clean, food-grade containers. Make
sure the containers are made of glass
or plastic and have tight fitting lids.
Do not store breast milk in disposable
bottle liners or plastic bags that are not
intended for storing breast milk.
HUMAN MILK STORAGE GUIDELINES*
TYPE OF BREAST MILK
STORAGE LOCATIONS AND TEMPERATURES
Countertop
77
o
F (25
o
C) or colder
(room temperature)
Refrigerator
40
o
F (4
o
C)
Freezer
0
o
F (-18
o
C) or colder
Freshly Expressed or Pumped Up to 4 Hours Up to
4 Days
Within 6 months is best
Up to 12 months is acceptable
Thawed, Previously Frozen 1–2 Hours
Up to 1 Day
(24 hours)
NEVER refreeze human milk
after it has been thawed
Leftover from a Feeding
(baby did not nish the bottle)
Use within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding
*Recommended storage times are important to follow for best quality.
STORE
Label milk with the date it was expressed and
the child’s name if delivering to childcare.
Store milk in the back of the freezer or
refrigerator, not the door.
Freeze milk in small amounts of 2
to 4 ounces to avoid wasting any.
When freezing, leave an inch of space at the top
of the container; breast milk expands as it freezes.
Milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag
with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when
you are traveling.
If you don’t plan to use freshly expressed milk
within 4 days, freeze it right away.
THAW
Always thaw the oldest milk first.
Thaw milk under lukewarm running water, in
a container of lukewarm water, or overnight in
the refrigerator.
Never thaw or heat milk in a microwave.
Microwaving destroys nutrients and creates hot
spots, which can burn a baby’s mouth.
Use milk within 24 hours
of thawing in the
refrigerator (from the time it is completely thawed,
not from the time when you took it out of the freezer).
Use thawed milk within 2 hours
of bringing to room temperature
or warming.
Never refreeze thawed milk.
FEED
Milk can be served cold, room temperature,
or warm.
To heat milk, place the sealed container
into a bowl of warm water or hold
under warm running water.
Do not heat milk directly on the
stove or in the microwave.
Test the temperature before feeding it to your
baby by putting a few drops on your wrist.
It should feel warm, not hot.
Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may
have separated.
If your baby did not finish the bottle, leftover
milk should be used within 2 hours.
CLEAN
Wash disassembled pump and feeding parts in
a clean basin with soap and water. Do not wash
directly in the sink because the germs in the sink
could contaminate items.
Rinse thoroughly under running water. Air-dry
items on a clean dishtowel or paper towel.
Using clean hands, store dry items in a clean,
protected area.
For extra germ remo
val, sanitize feeding items
daily using one of these methods:
• clean in the dishwasher using hot water and
heated drying cycle (or sanitize setting).
• boil in water for 5 minutes
(after cleaning).
• steam in a microwave or plug-in
steam system according to the
manufacturer’s directions
(after cleaning).
May 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/site.html
349014-A
