Rules for storing breast milk in the refrigerator. How many days is breast milk stored at room temperature. Expressed milk: not all and not at once

How to store breast milk after pumping? We will look at how much expressed is stored, how to choose dishes, where to put them later, how much breast milk can be stored at room temperature and in the refrigerator, where and how to do it, when the formula expires under various conditions.

At the moment, it is customary to distinguish several different types: glass, plastic and plastic.

What characteristics should be:

• impossibility of penetration of microbes inside;
• how tightly the lid closes;
• ease of use of such dishes;
• it is better that there is a measuring scale on the jar, since such dishes are much more convenient.

Before making a purchase, you should determine the future purpose of the container.

If you will be freezing the mixture, then a plastic bag is best for this procedure. The main plus is hermetic packaging, which will help preserve all the useful components. A package with an already existing measuring scale can be found in a pharmacy.

People have come up with the idea of ​​pouring milk into plastic liners, but this is not the best option, because during freezing they may not withstand such a temperature. When defrosting, all the mixture will pour out and cannot be used. However, if you have no other option at the moment, then use multiple packs and don't leave the milk for too long.

If we talk about solid containers, then most often they buy glass containers. Plastic is less popular, and plastic is used the least. The first two models will help to save all the useful elements.

How to store?

Let's talk about how much breast milk is stored in the refrigerator and in the room in the bottle.

Exist different ways storage of the mixture.

First, let's look at what not to do:

1. Freeze the mixture again, as there will be no useful components left.
2. Boil defrosted milk in various ways.
3. Adhere to the rules of hygiene: before expressing, wash the container with soap and water.
4. If the child did not drink all the liquid from the jar, then you have the right to use the mixture later, but it is still better to pour out the milk. During breastfeeding, bacteria can get into the milk, which can cause problems and pain in the stomach.
5. Be sure to shake the bottle before giving your baby food.
6. Be careful as the mixture can spoil very quickly. If you have the opportunity, then boil the milk before drinking.
7. You can express with the help of a special device.
8. Do not forget to sterilize the bottle before freezing the liquid. Do not fill the jar to the brim, as during freezing, the bottle may crack and an unpleasant odor will appear, and unwanted microorganisms will penetrate inside.
9. One serving is 150 grams. If after some time the girl still collects milk, this refers to the addition, that is, such milk must be stored elsewhere. In addition, it is better not to mix frozen milk with freshly expressed milk.

Houses

First of all, we will analyze how much breast milk is stored in the refrigerator at home.

If you follow these rules, then milk will not lose its beneficial properties:

1. Be sure to sterilize the container that will be cooled. In order not to use sour liquid, write down the date and time of pumping.
2. You should not put bottles in the doors, it is better to put them deep into the refrigerator, because the temperature there will be the same throughout the day.
3. Shake the jar before use.

How long can breast milk be stored in the refrigerator after pumping, we learned.

Now we will tell you how to heat the liquid, if it was previously in the room:

• use the water bath method: put the jar in a pot of cool water, warm it up a little, shake the container so that the liquid gets the temperature you need;
• warm with hot water: put the bottle under running water until the temperature is equal to body temperature;
• a special technique so that the temperature becomes the way mom needs.

Note! Breast milk should not be heated or microwaved.

If you are going to freeze liquids then a container or jar is not the best solution, it is advisable to buy special bags. The main advantages here are: sterility, small size, a useful product with all the vitamins.

How to freeze properly: the first step is to cool the liquid, then distribute the mixture into various containers with a small amount of food for the baby. The dosage should be such that the child can drink everything at once.

The resulting mixtures should be distributed in different places of the freezer. We remind you that the mixture in this state can be stored for no more than 6 months. If you put all the bags together, their shelf life will decrease, especially when you open the refrigerator.

Note! Do not freeze the product again, as you will harm the baby (useful properties will be lost).

Now we need to talk about how to prepare milk for use: after you take out the package, do not rush to warm it up. First, it is better to transfer it to the refrigerator, and then proceed to heat the liquid.

If you stick to these simple requirements, then you will have an infant formula for every occasion.

Not all mothers know how long breast milk is stored at room temperature. The product is good for no more than 10 hours. If the temperature does not exceed + 25 °, then you can keep the product for 4-6 hours. More than 25 degrees - up to 3 hours. If you leave the product for a long time, then the microbes inside can begin to multiply, which subsequently harms the health of the baby.

On a walk

How long does expressed breast milk last if you decide to take it with you for a walk?

Some mothers may face such a problem as storing the mixture on the street. To avoid difficulties, just buy a thermal bag or a special thermos for milk. This method is well suited for any occasion: both on vacation and during a trip to the store. At one time, you can take several servings for the baby with you at once.

How long can you store?

Some data from the table about milk:

• if 15 degrees - you can store 1 day;
• at 19-22 degrees - 10 hours;
• if 25 degrees - up to 6 hours;
• if you are going to store milk in the refrigerator, then the period will be a week.

If the product was taken out of the freezer, then follow this plan:

1. Using a shelf in a freezer that does not have a separate door - 2 weeks.
2. Compartment - 3-4 months (the temperature changes due to the fact that the door is constantly opening).
3. Freezer for freezing at a constant temperature -19 C (0 F) - 6 months or more.

Many do not know how to properly heat milk. We have prepared some tips for you. If you stick to them, then your child will feel great. The easiest way is to take the bottle out of the fridge and put it under running warm water.

Note! Do not heat milk to a boil. Shake the bottle before taking the temperature.

Do not use a CB oven for heating.

As for previously thawed milk, you can leave it for 1 day in the refrigerator. This will not affect the expiration date.

Important! Such milk can no longer be moved to the refrigerator again, otherwise it will lose its beneficial properties or simply deteriorate.

Now we have learned how much breast milk can be stored after pumping. It doesn't take much effort to keep a baby healthy. If you follow the rules described above, then the milk for the child will not lose its beneficial properties, which is very important for the further development of the baby and its growth.

Many modern mothers after the birth of a child quickly return to the previous rhythm of life, leaving the newborn in the care of relatives. At the same time, they do not stop breastfeeding, realizing the value of lactation for the development of the child. Nursing mothers express milk for the future, which, under certain conditions, retains freshness and benefits. Let's try to figure out how much breast milk is stored at room temperature.

Rules for expressing milk

The possibility of using expressed raw materials allows nursing mothers to lead an active lifestyle. Most often, this need arises due to the following reasons:

• mother’s absence for a long time due to (passage of medical procedures, a long trip, going to the cinema, an invitation to a celebration, etc.);
• inflammation of the mammary glands, cracked nipples;
• refusal of the child from the breast due to a poorly developed sucking reflex;
• constant pumping to increase lactation.

Experts have proven that expressed breast milk retains its beneficial properties for six months. The main thing is to observe the conditions of decanting and storing the product.

Breastfeeding consultants have made the following recommendations in this regard:

1. when expressing with a breast pump, do not forget to sterilize / boil it before each feeding;
2. with the manual method, you need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and dry;
3. use only clean sterilized containers;
4. do not fill containers to the brim as frozen liquid expands;
5. label the container with the pumping period.

To keep milk for a long time, it is necessary to express it correctly. The value and sterility, as well as its taste, directly depend on compliance with the above rules.

How long does breast milk last?

Preserving the nutritional value of the milk product expressed from the breast is not an easy task. After all, it is important for a newborn that a tasty delicacy keeps warm, does not contain harmful bacteria, is easily digested and improves immunity. Therefore, every breastfeeding woman is interested in how long the expressed breast milk can be stored.

The problem has been studied by many world-class scientists. They concluded that breast milk can be stored indoors, as well as in a refrigerator and. It is important to observe the storage conditions that allow you to prepare the necessary supply of healthy treats for the crumbs. Let's take a closer look at how much breast milk can be stored and which storage location is best suited for each specific case.

In room

Most of all, mothers are interested in the topic of how long breast milk can be stored at room temperature. Breastfeeding experts respond that even short-term storage of expressed breast milk at room temperature requires air control. Based on the results of the research, they came to the following conclusions:

• mother's milk is stored for a day at a cool room temperature not higher than 16-17 ° C;
• the storage time is halved (about 10-12 hours) if the air in the room warms up to 19-22 ° C;
• only 5 hours is allowed to keep milk in a room with a temperature above 25 ° C.

If you leave the newborn for no more than a day, do not use the refrigerator for the expressed product. Breast milk at room temperature perfectly retains valuable qualities and does not deteriorate due to the content of active substances (beneficial bacteria) that prevent sourness.

However, storage of breast milk for longer than the indicated time at room temperature is prohibited. If you have a veranda, balcony, basement and other rooms that keep cool (10-15°C), put the product there and be sure that it will last for a day.

In the fridge

Lansinoh is a well-known American company specializing in the production of breastfeeding products. Its founder, Rishida Hagen, gave birth to her first child in 1978 and faced most of the problems of nursing mothers: cracked nipples, pain during feeding, etc. It was these circumstances that prompted her to open her own company for the production of quality products for a long and successful feeding of babies.

Lansinox packages meet all quality standards:

• Made from durable food-grade plastic, free of toxic materials such as BPA
• have a strong clasp that eliminates even the slightest risk of leakage;
• when filled, they have a stable bottom;
• on the package, you can make inscriptions with the date of pumping and freezing.

Almost all mothers are very satisfied with these packages and leave positive reviews on iHerb. Many note that these packages are suitable for all breast pumps.

The volume is 180 ml, however, judging by the reviews, one package can easily hold 250 ml.

The comparison table below clearly shows that the cheapest packages can be bought on the iHerb website.

If you stopped breast-feeding, and the bags remain, then you can easily freeze mashed potatoes for feeding a home-made baby in them!

NUK Seal ‘n Go breast milk bags

Buy at a discount

The motto of this company, which has been operating in the breastfeeding market for 55 years: “Every mother breastfeeds differently. But for everyone, breastfeeding should be easy.”

The quality of the packages is beyond doubt:

• environmentally friendly plastic;
• secure clasp;
• the ability to make the necessary notes;
• a special system of oxygen air exchange allows milk to keep fresh and tasty for the maximum amount of time;
• all packages are pre-sterilized;
• packages can be frozen.

The volume of one package is 180 ml.

On iHerb, there are packages for sale, where there are or 100 sterile bags.

The company warns not to defrost milk packs in the microwave! It is better to get them out of the freezer in advance so that the milk becomes liquid at room temperature. And don't forget to check the temperature just before feeding.

Rules for heating and defrosting expressed milk

When defrosting a portion of the mother's treat, you must adhere to the following algorithm:

1. move the container with milk from the freezer to the refrigerator and wait until the raw materials are completely defrosted;
2. mix the right amount of melted raw materials until a homogeneous structure, pour into a bottle and heat to the desired temperature in a water bath.

In specialized stores, you can buy a bottle warmer that keeps the raw materials warm at a constant level of 37 degrees. This is the best way to warm up your expressed milk.

We offer some more useful tips for defrosting milk, which have been tested in practice by many experienced mothers:

1. defrost only 1 serving of milk;
2. choose a product that is frozen before everyone else;
3. prepare in advance by removing raw materials from the freezer 8-12 hours before use;
4. heat only melted raw materials;
5. thawed products can be stored indoors for about 4 hours and a day in a refrigerator;
6. before feeding the baby, smell and try the heated product: it is strictly forbidden to give spoiled (with a sour smell and bitter taste) raw materials;
7. to determine the readiness of warmed milk, put a few drops on your wrist.

Often breastfeeding women ask the question: is it necessary to warm breast milk? If the child has grown up (over 6-7 months) and is accustomed to drinking water at room temperature, then it is permissible not to heat the expressed product stored in the room. Everything else depends on the room temperature. It is up to the mother to decide whether to heat the breast milk or not.

What can't be done?

• re-freezing of strained raw materials;
• use of a microwave oven for heating;
• heated over an open fire in a saucepan and boil;
• reheat previously heated milk.

These actions lead to the loss of valuable properties of mother's milk.

The ability to keep expressed milk fresh and nutritious is a lifesaver for moms that solves many problems. It is important to remember that the most useful delicacy is the milk received by the baby directly from the breast. In addition, it is physical and emotional communication with the mother, which forms the psychological health of the child. Keep this in mind and try to give your newborn milk directly from the breast.

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the baby, but also a convenience for the mother. The sterile product comes directly from the "manufacturer" to the "consumer". You don’t need to heat up anything and prepare the dishes too.

But it also happens that a nursing mother needs to leave for a long time, go to work, or breastfeeding is impossible due to a nipple injury. Then modern devices come to the rescue in the form of a breast pump and containers for storing expressed milk.

It is very important to organize proper storage valuable product. Every nursing mother should know: how much breast milk is stored in the refrigerator. How to store breast milk after pumping? We will share useful information in our article.

There is a wide range of devices for breastfeeding mothers on the market. These are plastic and glass containers for storing breast milk, disposable sterile bags. Polycarbonate plastic is not the best option, because when heated and washed frequently, it begins to release toxic substances. Glass containers are safe, but take up a lot of space in freezer. Disposable bags for storing breast milk can be bought in a special section of the baby store. In the case of creating a milk bank, they will help to significantly save space in the freezer. They are convenient to use by putting on the nozzle of the breast pump.

“Be sure to mark the storage containers with the date and time of pumping”

Each mother decides which containers to choose for herself, but the container must meet the following requirements:

• Sterility
• Sealed lid or zip lock
• Easy to open
• Have a measuring scale and a place to record the date and time of pumping

If you put a bottle of food in a thermal bag, then the child will be provided with food on a walk. In such a bag, milk can be stored for several hours.

How long to store expressed milk

In order for the product to remain safe, you need to know the shelf life of breast milk:

1. How long does breast milk keep at room temperature?
   At t17-20°С - 10 hours, at t20-25°С - 6 hours. Keep in a tightly closed sterile container. Protective antibodies that are part of breast milk prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. And it doesn't spoil in the same way as it would if kept in the refrigerator.
2. The shelf life of breast milk in the refrigerator at t 0 + 4 ° C is 8 days. Place the containers in the far corner of the refrigerator compartment, but not in the door.
3. How long can breast milk be stored frozen after pumping? In the freezer at t-18-20°C - about 6 months. Lay the milk containers as deep as possible inside the freezer. After all, when the door is opened, the temperature fluctuates, and this can lead to partial defrosting.

When freezing, do not fill the container to the very top. Keep in mind that liquid expands when frozen.

Video on how to freeze breast milk:

Colostrum cannot be frozen. You can store it at room temperature for 12 hours.

“If expressed milk is supposed to be stored for no longer than a week, then it is better not to freeze it, but to leave it in the refrigerator. Chilled milk lasts longer and retains more immune factors and antibodies than frozen milk.”

How to thaw and prepare expressed milk for feeding

Defrost expressed milk very carefully, using only gentle methods. Then it will retain all its useful properties.

1. Remove the milk container from the freezer in advance. Leave in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours to gradually thaw.
2. Place the milk bottle in warm or hot water. Shake occasionally to evenly heat. Milk at room temperature is suitable for feeding.
3. You can use a special electric bottle warmer.

"Important ! Under no circumstances should milk be heated in the microwave. Heating is uneven. The liquid may boil, despite the fact that the bottle remains cold. The loss of minerals and vitamins in this case is guaranteed.

Sterilization of thawed milk is not required if you wash your hands with soap and use clean, sterile containers when freezing.

Repeated freezing of milk is unacceptable. Therefore, it is better to choose small containers (50-100 ml) so that you can feed the entire portion at a time. You can store unfinished thawed breast milk in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Visual scheme "how to prepare frozen milk for feeding"

What expressed milk should look like

Often nursing mothers are surprised to notice that their milk does not look like what is sold in the store. And doubts arise: has it deteriorated during storage? And sometimes expressed milk can have an unpleasant odor.

• soapy smell

The aroma of fresh milk is subtle and sweet. But often after defrosting, mothers notice that it has a soapy smell. This is due to the breakdown of fats. This often happens if it was stored in a freezer that does not require defrosting. The fat composition of milk may change due to automatic thawing and freezing cycles.

The soapy smell of milk does not pose any danger to the health of the baby. To prevent an unpleasant odor, you need to kill lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fat). This is done in this way: heat the expressed milk to a very hot state (but do not boil), then quickly cool it, for example, by placing the bottle in a container of ice water. And then freeze it.

• Color and consistency

The color of milk depends on when it was expressed during feeding. If at the beginning of feeding it will be bluish, this is foremilk. If at the end, then it will be a rich creamy shade, this is a rear fatty nourishing milk. Expressed breast milk tends to stratify. The fatty layer rises to the surface. It is enough to shake the bottle and the layers will mix.

foremilk and hindmilk

In some cases, storage of expressed breast milk is unacceptable:

• When mom takes medication
• If mom drank alcoholic drinks the day before
• If mom smokes
• If there are bleeding cracks on the nipples

“We must remember that the milk produced adapts to the age needs of the child. And for feeding you need to choose the freshest portion of frozen milk.

Video on how to set up a breast milk bank:

As a rule, during the formation of lactation, a nursing mother produces a lot of milk. You can use this: express a small amount and organize the storage of breast milk in the refrigerator. In the future, the blanks can be used for a walk or if the mother leaves the house. Many cook porridge for a child with their own milk. Just don't get carried away with pumping with a breast pump. This is fraught with hyperlactation and lactostasis, but this will be discussed in another article.

Breastfeeding is not only an incredibly useful procedure for the baby, but also a very convenient process: the “goods” come to the “consumer” directly from the “manufacturer”, which in most cases eliminates the need to establish assembly, storage and transportation processes.

However, in some situations, there is still a need to express and store milk. Some mothers face this extremely rarely, others almost every day. By reading the information below, you will learn what expressed milk looks like, how to store it, how long it will remain usable and get a number of additional useful information about the process in question.

Women who have never expressed milk before are often surprised appearance the last one. A natural product is noticeably different from its packaged store counterpart. If the latter looks like a mixture of the same color with a uniform consistency, then the former, after standing for a while, is divided into layers, as a result of which the fattest component rises to the top. This is not evidence of spoilage of milk: just shake the container a little, and the product will again become homogeneous.

The type of milk received at different times will also be different, because. The composition and color of the product is influenced by many different factors.

In most cases, breast milk has a yellowish color, it can be yellow-orange. The processes of converting colostrum into "full" milk usually take about 2 weeks, during which the color of the product gradually approaches bluish-white.

In addition, the color of milk is affected by the diet of a nursing mother. For example, if a woman consumes various carbonated drinks, sweet jellies and other similar products, the color of milk may change under the influence of food coloring. Therefore, when you see greenish expressed milk in yourself, think about whether you drank Tarragon or anything else with a similar color the day before. For example, even fresh green vegetables or seaweed consumed by a woman in large quantities can give milk a green color. If there is nothing like this in your diet, consult your doctor.

If the expressed milk is pinkish, there is blood in it. There are often cracks on the nipples of nursing mothers - through them the “coloring” process takes place. A small amount of blood in expressed milk will not harm the baby. If you continue to note the pinkish color of milk even 2 weeks after the birth of the baby, be sure to consult your doctor - this may indicate the presence of adverse processes in the body.

Where to store breast milk?

There are several basic requirements for the container. She must:

• be absolutely clean;
• close tightly;
• be made of a material that does not affect the composition of milk.

Most often, plastic and glass containers are used to store expressed milk. Disputes regarding which material is preferable continue today. In accordance with the results of recent studies, both glass and plastic containers are suitable for storing the product in question - both materials have absolutely no harmful effect on the quality of milk.

• glass takes the first place;
• the second position of the rating is assigned to solid transparent plastic;
• the top three is closed by containers made of opaque plastic (polypropylene).

In general, if the baby has to drink expressed milk from time to time, the choice of material for making the vessel can not be given such close attention: even if the container used will somehow change the composition of the product, in the total standings such changes will be extremely insignificant and harm the baby will not bring.

In addition, an important criterion for choosing containers for storing expressed milk is the convenience of its use. For example, plastic bags do not require much storage space and in most cases can be directly connected to breast pumps, which is very convenient.

It is better to refuse the use of disposable liners for baby bottles - they are not intended for storing milk. Such a package can simply burst during the freezing process, which will cause a lot of inconvenience in the future when the defrosted product spills out of the container. As a last resort, you can use a double-layer container by inserting a bag into a bag.

Freeze milk in separate small portions - up to 100-150 ml, so that in the future you do not have to dispose of the unused product.

Storing milk requires the implementation of a number of important rules - only in this way the product will remain useful and of high quality for the required time. You can find the key requirements in relation to the moment in question in the following table.

Table. How to store expressed milk

The best option for long-term storage of the product in question is to freeze it: put the container of milk in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, then transfer it to the freezer.

If the milk is consumed by the baby in the coming days, the product can be safely stored in the refrigerator. The advantage of this option is the fact that chilled milk without freezing practically does not lose its beneficial properties.

If the child consumes milk throughout the day, there is no point in cooling and freezing it: it is enough to close the storage container tightly and leave it at room temperature.

Permissible shelf life of milk

The shelf life of the product in question directly depends on the conditions of its storage: the lower the temperature, the longer the product can be stored. So, at room temperature from 22 degrees, milk will be stored no longer than 5-6 hours. At a lower temperature in the room, it can "hold out" up to 10 hours.

At a temperature within 10-15 degrees, the product in question can be stored for up to a day. In the refrigerator at 0-4 degrees, the shelf life of the product will be several days. In the freezer at a temperature of -13 - -18 degrees, milk will "live" the longest - up to 5-6 months, but it is better to avoid such long frosts - the useful properties of the product will significantly decrease.

After defrosting, milk should be used extremely quickly - within 1 hour at normal room temperature or within a day in the refrigerator. After the specified time, dispose of the product.

The defrosting process also needs to be approached with knowledge of a number of important nuances.

1. First, if milk has been stored in the freezer, never thaw it immediately at room temperature. Follow the sequence, the reverse of defrosting, i.e. First place the container for a couple of hours in the refrigerator.
2. Secondly, defrost the product in an amount not exceeding the one-time need of your baby. Surplus, as noted, will have to be disposed of.
3. Thirdly, it is best to use a bottle warmer to heat defrosted milk. It is not recommended to use a conventional stove for this, because. when the product is heated to a temperature of more than 37 degrees, it loses its useful qualities.
4. Fourth, be sure to smell the defrosted milk before giving it to your baby - a spoiled product has a characteristic smell.

Storing milk on the go

If you take milk with you for a walk, use a special thermos for baby bottles or an ordinary thermal bag to store it. Such devices are relatively inexpensive, but you will immediately feel the convenience of using them.

Thus, there is absolutely nothing complicated in freezing, storing and defrosting expressed milk. You have received all the information necessary for this and will be able to successfully cope with the conduct of the event considered.

Health to you and your baby!

Video - How long can breast milk be stored after pumping

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Everyone knows that mother's milk has unique properties. No artificial mixtures can replace it. But what if the mother is busy, and soon to feed the baby? You should not be upset, because milk can be expressed and stored. However, you need to know how to store expressed breast milk. After all, such a mixture must necessarily retain its useful qualities.

Modern moms don't stay at home. Often they work and are constantly busy. Sometimes a woman needs to leave for a long time, but how to feed the baby? This can be done by dad or someone from the family.

However, it is not necessary to purchase a special formula, because you can express your own milk and keep it in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Not all women know how to properly express formula for feeding, so they are afraid to do it. You should not worry: for the female breast, this process is not dangerous.

Reasons why pumping is a must:

1. Usually, immediately after childbirth, a young mother has a very large amount of milk. If it is not consumed, the woman may feel unwell. Pumping is necessary for this reason, although it should not be abused. How long should the process take? Pumping must be carried out until it becomes easier.
2. In some cases, breast formula may not be enough. In such situations, pediatricians are advised to breastfeed the baby more often or use a special breast pump. This procedure will stimulate the breasts in a special way. If you express milk, the next time before feeding the mixture will be more.
3. If after feeding the “food” is still left.
4. If the mother is ill and the doctor forbids her to breastfeed. However, pumping is not prohibited.

How to do it right

Pumping and feeding are different processes. Therefore, the body reacts to them in different ways. During the first, the body “feels” a catch, so milk is not secreted enough. Doctors advise drinking hot tea with milk before the procedure. You can take a warm shower or apply a warm washcloth to your chest. The main thing is to provide the mammary gland with enough heat.

You can also massage the mammary glands. This will stimulate the release of milk.

There are two ways to carry out decanting:

hands

Some women are afraid to do something wrong and thus hurt themselves. In fact, everything is simple. You just need to follow a couple of recommendations:

• Before the process, wash your hands well and rinse your chest with warm water. You can lightly massage it.
• It is necessary to clasp one breast with a hand and gently press with massage movements from the base to the nipple. The thumb and forefinger are located at opposite ends of the halos.
• You need to gently press, so the movements should be soft and careful. Pain should not be felt.

It may not be possible to express milk for the first time, but everything will come with experience. You just need to get used to it.

Such devices are presented in assortment. There are no special instructions, you just need to choose quality products.

The main thing is that all components of the breast pump can be washed and sterilized. Do not buy products that cannot be boiled. They can contribute to infection.

There are special electric breast pumps. They do not require physical effort and can express milk from both breasts at once. However, they cannot be controlled. Manual mechanisms are easy to operate, but require the use of force.

The slicing process is as follows:

• You can't do without preparation here. First, it is necessary to rinse well not only the hands and chest, but also the components of the device. It is very important that they can be sterilized.
• The chest can be washed with warm boiled water.
• Then the device must be applied to the center of the chest. Usually, the instructions for the breast pump allow you to quickly get the hang of it. The process itself depends on specific model. The pressing force can be adjusted. You also need to keep an eye on the flow. She doesn't have to be very strong.
• Immediately after use, the breast pump is well washed and cleaned. Everything is ready.

How to store

Even expressed milk is much healthier than artificial formula. So that such a substance does not lose its healing properties should be properly stored.

How to store expressed breast milk? How long should the period be? The first thing to do is to determine the storage capacity. Doctors consider glassware to be the best option. You can also use plastic. However, now there are special dishes and bags for storing milk. It is better to use them, because only high-quality materials are used for the manufacture of such products. Another advantage is that the containers are already sterilized. Pediatricians are advised to choose these products.

You can also use containers. They are convenient to store and use in different situations.

What should be the deadline

How to store breast milk? It is not necessary to store it in the refrigerator. After expressing, milk can be safely stored at room temperature for 6-8 hours. Therefore, mom can leave, while leaving milk on the table in the room.

However, the lower the temperature, the longer the useful mixture will be stored. So, at 25 degrees, storage lasts about 6 hours, at 20 - 10 hours, at 16 degrees - a day.

Many mothers try to store their expressed milk in the refrigerator. If you need to leave or do important things, you can put the dishes in a cold place. But in the refrigerator, the product loses its healing substances much faster. They keep better at room temperature.

How long can storage be carried out correctly? Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Warm up before feeding.

There are situations when a mother needs a large amount of milk at once for a long time. How to be? You can freeze a small portion in the freezer. Frozen milk can be stored for 6 months.

You need to defrost it properly. The process must be very gradual. First, the container is simply left in the refrigerator, and then left indoors for a short time at room temperature. And only then you can place the container or bottle under a warm stream of water.

For heating, you can use special devices. Doctors forbid heating the mixture in the microwave or boiling.

It is important to remember that the processes of freezing in the refrigerator and thawing can adversely affect the beneficial properties of milk. No matter how much it is stored, part of the benefit is still lost. Although such milk will still be more useful than infant formula, it is still better not to get involved in such procedures. Real breast milk is the most nutritious and beneficial for the health and well-being of the crumbs.