Breast milk is the ideal food for a newborn baby. It contains the ideal amount of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements necessary for the full growth and development of the baby. Unfortunately, not all young mothers can boast that they feed their babies with their breasts. Someone does not have lactation, and someone has to go to work or study early. And then the question arises about the expressing and storage of breast milk.
Containers for storage of breast milk
In many pharmacies, you can buy special packages and containers for breast milk frost. This is a sterile dish and does not require additional processing, it is already ready for use. Containers for breast milk are plastic jars, which are hermetically sealed with a lid. Packages for collecting breast milk are sterile plastic containers, which are either tied with ropes or closed on a buckle. On packages and containers for the collection of breast milk there is a special graduation by which you can determine the number of milliliters. On the bags there is a place where you can write down the date of breast milk.
How to store breast milk?
The shelf life of breast milk depends on the storage conditions. So, if the milk is stored at room temperature, then it should be used within 4 hours. When storing in the refrigerator, it is better not to put a container with breast milk in the door, it is preferable to put it closer to the rear wall, so that the temperature drops from opening the door do not affect the milk quality. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to 4 degrees for no more than 4 days. If the milk needs to be stored for longer, it is recommended that it be frozen at a temperature of -10 to -13 degrees. Under such conditions, breast milk can be stored for up to 6 months and all useful substances will be preserved. Expressed milk does not need to be placed in the freezer immediately, you must first put it in the refrigerator to cool it, and then put it in the freezer.
Defrost the milk, too, must first be in the refrigerator, and then preheat in warm water (in a water bath). In no case can the milk be thawed in the microwave oven.
As you can see, keeping breast milk fairly simple and modern young mother just need to have in the freezer a strategic supply of breast milk, so in the care of the baby do not forget about yourself.