Dear Ladies, I need some help on storing breast milk and using it. I am planning to introduce bottle feed for my baby 5months old with expressed milk. 1. After expressing for how many hours can I use it with out refrigerating.? 2. How many hours can I refrigerate maximum?
It's better to consume freshly expressed breastmilk within an hour or so . For efficient pumping , I would recommend a high grade electric pump as the work is less and the output is much better . Your work place may have it so find out about that . You can refrigerate or freeze for months . You get special bags to store milk or bottles can be used to . I used to always pump milk at work and before I used to leave home everyday when my kids were small but I also made sure there was enough backup milk in the freezer for emergency . Never microwave or heat breastmilk directly . Please go to baby center and similar websites for more information . They have everything from how to express milk to freezing and thawing . Also if you bought any milk expressing pumps or electric kits , that will have a manual so go over that as well .
I had a consultation with a Lactation consultant, as per her advice Without refrigerating milk can be consumed within 8 hrs in room temperature. I always make sure to use it within 3 hours or I put it back in the fridge. Refrigerated milk upto 3 days and milk from freezer upto 3 months. Always make sure you date the bags properly, very easy to forget when taking care of an infant.