If you are breastfeeding your little one and requires flexibility in order to continue your career as well, then consideration of using breast pump seems to be a feasible solution. It is important to find ways to keep your breast milk safely stored, otherwise it can endanger the health of your child. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts that should be considered for storing breast milk.

Container
The major concern with storing breast milk is the container. Consider a BPA-free container that helps in storing the expressed milk. The preferable container should be of hard plastic or capped glass. You can even utilize plastic bags for milk storage. Before handling the milk, wash your hands with water and soap. The hard-sided container helps in storing the milk properly along with reducing the chance of contamination. Other than that, tightly sealed lid containers are also preferred.

Storage
Make sure you label each container with the date of expression while storing the breast milk. For storing, keep it in the freezer or refrigerator. You can even consider insulated coolers while traveling. Make sure you don’t fully fill the container with milk as the breast milk may spill if you fill the container to the brim.

Do’s
Here are some of essential Do’s to be considered for storing the breast milk;
• Make sure that you keep your breast pump clean.
• Make sure that you properly wash your breast pump using soap and hot water. Also, make sure that the breast pump is properly sterilized.
• Make sure that you wash your hands properly as it might transfer germs.

Don’ts
• Avoid using any plastic bottle and bags for storing breast milk if it is not designed for breast milk storage.
• Never add warm breast milk to the frozen breast milk as the frozen one gets partially thawed.
• In case your breasts are engorged, avoid over expressing the milk. You may do this slowly and gradually.
• In case you are freezing the milk, do not fill the containers to the brim.
• Avoid using microwaves to defrost and temp the milk as it is not healthy for the infant. However, if you are in a rush, you can place the bowl of milk under running water to defrost.
• The leftover milk should never be stored for feeding.

Make sure your hands are properly washed with water and soap. Consider sterilizing the breast pump once a day. Utilize a refrigerator for the storage. Before feeding, thaw the milk so the odor and enzymes get neutralized. Make sure everything is cleaned and sterilized.

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