Expressing and Storing Breast Milk
Women express and store breast milk for many reasons, preparing for a night out, returning to work and illness, to a name a few. During the early days of feeding is when your body is producing excess quantities of milk and many women take the opportunity of expressing and storing at this time. Here are some tips.
Expressing
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Wash your hands before expressing.
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Find a quiet place to sit and relax before starting.
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Have a glass of water on hand.
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Some women suggest having a picture of their baby to look at as it helps to allow the let down reflex happen.
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Ensure all your equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sterilised.
Storing Your Milk
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Ensure you write a date on each container before storage.
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Plastic storage bags are ideal for freezing. Speak to your local pharmacy about products available.
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Your milk will last in the fridge for 24 hours, after this time it should be frozen.
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Your milk will last in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
Thawing and Re-heating Your Milk
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It is recommended that you defrost your frozen breast milk in the fridge.
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You can then reheat this by placing the bottle in a jug of hot water or in a bottle warmer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you DO NOT use a microwave for heating breast milk as it affects the fats and proteins.
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