 Some
facts about expressing, storing, transporting and thawing
breast milk.
It is very important
to keep your breast milk cold ; to do this keep
it in an insulated container with a freezer pack or crushed
ice.
Storage of breast milk:
- Breast milk must be stored in
clean, sterilised and sealed conditions.
- Plastic or glass containers can
be used to store breast milk.
- Milk bags can also be used to
store breast milk. These bags often come with breast
pump packs.
- Store your breast milk in a refrigerator
or freezer.
How long can breast milk be
stored in clean, sterilised and sealed containers or milk
bags?
- 3-5 days in a refrigerator.
- 2 weeks if stored in the freezer
compartment of a refrigerator (if the freezer is
inside the fridge).
- 3 months if stored in a freezer
(if the freezer has a separate door).
- 6-12 months if stored in a deep freezer.
Thawing Breast Milk:
- Breast milk should be thawed using
either cool or warm water.
- Do not thaw your breast milk in
boiling water or in a Microwave oven.
- Refrigerate thawed breast milk
but you must not refreeze the breast milk.
- Discard any thawed breast milk if it
is not consumed within 24 hours.
For more information regarding
breast-feeding and work, visit:
Australia's National Breastfeeding strategy
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