There are several reasons why storing breast milk can be important. Do you know how to do it properly? Then come and find out how to store breast milk in the right way.

Breast milk is the most complete food that can be given to a baby, since its composition contains nutrients (proteins, vitamins, fats, etc.) that are fundamental for the child's correct development.

Apart from the healthy component, breastfeeding allows the creation of a very close emotional bond between mother and baby, which may help both to live this relationship to the fullest, stimulating both and creating lifelong bonds.

As a form of feeding that is always ready and available, maternal breastfeeding also ensures that the food is easily digested and safe at the moment of feeding, as well as being an added value for the new mother who, at this moment, takes the opportunity to burn off energy, which allows her body to more easily regain the appearance and health it had prior to pregnancy.

However, breastfeeding does raise some questions, especially in cases where it is necessary to extract the excess milk or store it to be offered to the baby at times when the mother is not available.
Learn about the correct storage of breastmilk.

Storing breast milk: when is it necessary?

Many women are apprehensive about storing breast milk, but the truth is that breast milk, like other foods, can be stored and even frozen if desired.
Today there are many ways to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, and there are various methods of expressing and storing breast milk.
Drawing out breast milk and storing it can become necessary in a number of situations. Some of the most common are:

 The breast being too full, the mother feeling discomfort or even pain;

- The baby is unable (due to size or health condition) to latch on to the mother's breast;
- The unavailability of the mother to feed her baby at a given time.

How to express breast milk

To express breast milk there are currently several options. You can choose to express it manually, by using a hand pump or even by using an electric pump.
It is important to be aware, when choosing your preferred method, that there are some important procedures when using pumps. In particular, it is very important that you take care with personal hygiene and safety. You should wash your hands well and find a place where you can be calm and relaxed together with your baby, and then begin to massage the breast and nipple with your fingertips, always in a circular rhythm to help the milk flow. The bottle that will receive the milk and the pump (either manual or electric) should also be sterilised and clean.

Tips for storing breast milk

Knowing how to store breast milk that you have taken out without compromising its quality is fundamental. This breast milk should be kept in the cold, either in the fridge or in the freezer.

Although it can indeed be stored this way, you should consider the storage times in each of these environments. In the fridge it is not recommended that you keep the milk for more than two days, and in the freezer this time can be increased to three months. You can store breast milk at room temperature, as long as you do not keep it for more than 6 hours. To ensure that these times are not exceeded, it is recommended that the mother creates labels with the date of extraction of the milk.

On the market you will also find suitable containers, namely bags, bottles and jars, which you can buy at the pharmacy. If you prefer to use other containers, however, it is recommended that you use hard plastic or glass bottles, suitable for food and properly sterilised.
Knowing how to store breast milk will make your breastfeeding task easier and allow you to experience to the fullest this beautiful moment of motherhood.

Did you already know how to store your breast milk? Tell us what this process is like for you. Your experience may help other mums with the same doubts and difficulties.