Human Milk Storage
Guidelines

Download

Human Milk Storage Guidelines

These guidelines are for healthy, full-term babies and may vary for babies who are sick or premature. Check with your health care provider.1

Fresh Milk
Up to 4 Hours

Thawed Milk: 1-2 Hours

Countertop or Table:
77°F / 25°C or colder

Fresh Milk
Up to 4 Days

Thawed Milk: Up to 24 Hours

Refrigerator:
40°F / 4°C or colder

Fresh Milk
Within 6 Months is Best

(Up to 12 Months is Acceptable)

Never refreeze thawed milk

Freezer (with separate door):
0°F / -18°C or colder

Guidelines are for home use only and not for hospital use1

Collecting Human Milk

Before pumping or expressing milk, wash your hands well with soap and water.

Inspect all pump parts and tubing to make sure they are clean. Replace moldy tubing immediately.

Clean the counter or tabletop and outside of the pump, including any buttons or dials.

Some parents prefer to pump directly into the container they will be storing their milk in.

Storing Human Milk

Talk to your childcare provider about human milk storage.

Use any leftover milk from a feeding within two (2) hours after your baby is finished.

Human milk can be stored in human milk storage bags, glass containers, or hard plastic, BPA-free containers with tight fitting lids.

Avoid using disposable bottle liners or other plastic bags to store your milk. Please contact your local WIC clinic if you need milk storage bags.

1/12

Label the container with the date it was expressed. If you are giving the milk to a childcare provider, add your child’s name too.

Store expressed milk in the back of the freezer or refrigerator, not in the door. The temperature of the door varies due to opening and closing the door.

When traveling for short periods of time, such as to and from work or school, you can store pumped/expressed milk in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours.

Freezing Human Milk

If you do not plan to use freshly pumped or refrigerated milk within four (4) days, freeze it right away.

When freezing, leave an inch of space at the top of the container. Human milk expands when it freezes.

Freeze milk in 2- to 4-ounce amounts to avoid waste.

Freeze storage bags flat to save space.

If a power loss happens, frozen milk is still good if crystals are still visible.

Thawing and Warming Human Milk

Use the oldest stored milk first. Practice FIFO (first in, first out).

While some babies may prefer warmed milk, human milk does not need to be warmed. It can be served at room temperature or cold.

Milk may be thawed in different ways:

1: In the refrigerator overnight

2: Under warm running water

3: In a container of warm water

Milk thawed with warm water should be used within one (1) hour after it is thawed or placed in the refrigerator.

Milk thawed in the refrigerator should be used within one (1) day (24 hours) after it is thawed.

If you decide to warm human milk, keep the container sealed. Place the sealed container into a bowl of warm water or hold it under warm, but not hot, running water. Do not heat directly on the stove or in the microwave. Test the milk temperature by dropping some on your wrist. It should be comfortably warm.

Gently swirl the milk (don’t shake it) to mix it, as it is normal for human milk to separate.

Do not microwave human milk. Microwaving breaks down nutrients and creates hot spots, which can burn your baby’s mouth.

Adapted from:

1. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2018, July). Human Milk Storage Guidelines.
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/Human_Milk_Storage_Guidelines.pdf

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023, November 27). Breast Milk Storage and Preparation
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breast-milk-preparation-and-storage/handling-breastmilk.html

Eglash, A., Simon, L., & The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. (2017). ABM Clinical protocol #8: Human milk storage information for home use for full-term infants. Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(7), 390-395.
https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2017.29047.aje

Side Lying Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Cross Cradle Hold

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football Hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position