Welcome, new moms, to our guide on collecting and storing breast milk! As you embark on your breastfeeding journey, knowing how to properly collect and store your precious liquid gold is essential for your baby's health and your peace of mind. In this blog, we'll provide you with valuable tips and insights on maintaining hygiene, efficient collection techniques, and safe storage practices for your expressed breast milk. Whether you're building a freezer stash, returning to work, or simply need a break, mastering these skills will empower you to nourish your baby with confidence. Let's dive in!
Collection Guide:
Before pumping, wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Gently wipe your nipples and breasts with a clean, damp wash cloth or paper towel (no soap). Be sure not to let anything touch your breasts after washing.
Pump or hand express into your clean bottle or container. Wash hands again if you touch anything else while expressing breastmilk, including your hair, face, child, etc.
Pour your freshly expressed milk directly into a milk storage bag and seal it. Any container intended for mothers’ milk storage is acceptable but please do not use Ziploc bags or ice cube trays. Avoid talking or coughing into the open bag or container.
Help us prevent loss of milk by not overfilling the milk storage bags. When frozen, milk expands, and the bag seams may crack if overfilled. If you are using hard containers, leave ¾ of an inch or more of space at the top to prevent damage.
If you are interrupted during your pumping session, cap the milk and put it in the refrigerator. You may go back and finish pumping, but the entire procedure should be finished within 30 minutes. Do not combine milk from different pump sessions.
When marking your milk, it is important that each bottle or bag is labeled with the following information:
Your full name (if stored in a public area)
Date of collection (including year)
Time of day (optional)
Place the milk in the rear or bottom of your freezer, where it is coldest. The freezer door is often warmer than the rest of the freezer, so it is best the milk is not stored in the door.
Cleaning Pump Parts
Clean pump parts using the microwave steam bags provided by Mothers’ Milk Bank.
Disassemble all pump parts.
Wash the parts with warm, soapy water and rinse with clean water.
Please the parts in the microwave steam bag and follow the instructions listed on the bag.
The clean pump parts may remain in microwave steam bags until they are needed again or they can be placed into a new plastic bag.
Or, clean pump parts by boiling them in a saucepan.
Disassemble all pump parts.
Wash the parts with warm, soapy water and rinse with clean water.
Place the parts in a saucepan and cover them with water.
Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 20 minutes.
Drain the water over a colander and allow the parts to cool in the open saucepan.
When cool, remove them with clean hands and place them on a clean towel or paper towel to air dry. Keep them in an area away from dirt, pet hair, etc.
Place the clean, dry pump parts into a plastic bag and keep them sealed until you are ready to pump again.
Conclusion:
Congratulations on embarking on your breastfeeding journey! By equipping yourself with knowledge and implementing the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you're taking proactive steps towards nurturing your baby's health and well-being. Embrace the journey, seek support when needed, and trust in your ability to provide the best nourishment for your baby. Remember to practice good hygiene and follow safe storage guidelines to ensure your expressed milk remains fresh and safe for your little one. Keep up the great work, mama!