Research varies about the proper storage time for expressed breastmilk. For the health and safety of your baby, shorter storage times for expressed breastmilk were chosen. The following guidelines may be used when you plan to store, freeze, thaw or warm your breastmilk. Expressed breastmilk may be used when you are away from your baby.

• Refrigerate breastmilk as soon as possible after expression if it will not be used right away
• If breastmilk is not put in the fridge, it needs to be used within 4 hours or the breastmilk must be thrown out
• Expressed breastmilk can be stored for up to 48 hours in the fridge
• Throw away any milk left over after feedings
• Keep breastmilk cool or frozen while travelling (for example, from home to your baby’s daycare)
• Frozen breastmilk may smell or taste different, but it’s still good for your baby

NOTE: Sterilize all equipment used in the preparation and storage of milks for babies less than four months of age  before each use. Place equipment in a pot of boiling water for two minutes, or according to manufacturer’s instructions. This is a recommendation made by Health Canada, and Alberta Health and Wellness. The sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher is also acceptable. After babies are four months of age, wash equipment in hot soapy water and rinse in hot water.

Check artificial nipples before each use to make sure that they have no signs of damage (such as tears, cracks, swelling, tackiness or stickiness). This could result in a choking hazard for babies. If the nipple becomes cracked, torn, or shows signs of breakdown, replace the product right away.

• Freeze milk for up to 2 weeks in the freezer section of a 1-door refrigerator (one in which you have to open the main door of the fridge to reach the freezer section).

• Freeze breastmilk for up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer section of a 2-door refrigerator (one in which you can open the freezer section without opening the rest of the fridge).

• Freeze breastmilk for up to 12 months in a chest or deep freezer.
• Freezer temperature should be -18 C or 0 F.

• Freeze breastmilk in small amounts (60 to 120 ml or 2 to 4 oz) in a sterilized container such as a glass bottle or Bisphenol-A free (BPA-free) plastic containers.
• Label container with date of milk collection. Use those with the oldest dates first.
• Chill newly expressed milk in the fridge before adding it to previously frozen milk.

• Frozen breastmilk thaws quickly under cool or warm running water, in a pan of warm water or in the refrigerator.
• The fat in breastmilk may separate during thawing. Gently shake the milk to mix.
• Refrigerate thawed milk and use within 24 hours.
• Do not refreeze breastmilk.

 If breastmilk has been frozen in glass or BPA-free plastic containers, place the container in a pan of warm water until the milk is lukewarm.

Please note: Thawing and warming breastmilk in a microwave is not advised.

Microwaves heat milk unevenly, form hot spots that can burn your baby and destroy the immune components in breastmilk.

• Shake warmed container of breastmilk to mix it
• Always test the breastmilk temperature on your wrist. Breastmilk should be cool to the touch. If it is warm to the touch, it may be too hot to feed your baby

If your baby does not finish the bottle, throw out the remaining milk. After your baby drinks from the bottle, there is an increased chance of bacteria growing in the milk.