A baby only consumes small amounts of colostrum in its first days. Regardless, studies show that expressing these low quantities within the first hour of birth can prevent delays in milk production. Gather this in one of the containers and, once complete, put the syringe in a sealable baggie or close the bottle tightly. Then, write the date on the container so you can keep track of your stored supply. You can administer it via a syringe or small bottle remember, quantities will be relatively low.
You can also feed drops of it to your baby on a clean finger. In fact, some women begin collecting their colostrum before the baby actually arrives. Harvesting colostrum this early may be recommended if:. Whatever the case, pumped colostrum can be collected and saved for when the time is right. If you do decide to pump and store your colostrum before giving birth, be sure to include this in your hospital bag list to take along with you when you head to the hospital for delivery.
This colostrum will be safe for use for up to 48 hours. Breastfeeding mothers can ensure the safety and quality of expressed breast milk by following proper storing techniques. Consider these four tips for storing colostrum safely.
To maintain freshness and quality, be sure your storage container is completely sealed. Never use disposable bags or liners to store pumped colostrum.
Colostrum can be stored at room temperature for up to four hours. It can remain in a refrigerator for up to four days. You can store pumped colostrum in the freezer for up to six months for best quality or 12 months, at most. If you don't have access to a refrigerator or freezer, store the milk temporarily in an insulated cooler with ice packs. Fill individual containers with the milk your baby will need for one feeding. You might start with 2 to 4 ounces 60 to milliliters , and then adjust as needed.
Also consider storing smaller portions — 1 to 2 ounces 30 to 60 milliliters — for unexpected situations or delays in regular feedings. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so don't fill containers to the brim. You can add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk. However, thoroughly cool the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.
Don't add warm breast milk to frozen breast milk because it will cause the frozen milk to partially thaw. How long you can safely keep expressed breast milk depends on the storage method. Consider these general guidelines for healthy infants:.
Keep in mind that research suggests that the longer you store breast milk — whether in the refrigerator or in the freezer — the greater the loss of vitamin C in the milk. It's also important to note that your breast milk changes to meet your baby's needs.
Breast milk expressed when a baby is a newborn won't as completely meet the same baby's needs when he or she is a few months older. Also, storage guidelines might differ for preterm, sick or hospitalized infants.
Thaw the oldest milk first. Place the frozen container in the refrigerator the night before you intend to use it. You can also gently warm the milk by placing it under warm running water or in a bowl of warm water. Don't heat a frozen bottle in the microwave or very quickly on the stove. Some parts of the milk might be too hot, and others cold. Also, some research suggests that rapid heating can affect the milk's antibodies. While further research is needed on whether previously frozen milk that's been thawed can be frozen again and safely used, many experts recommend discarding thawed milk that isn't used within 24 hours.
Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Storage Guidelines. Bacterial Growth. Premies or Health Issues. Storing at Room Temperature. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
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Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk. Email Address. What's this? Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.
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