Appropriate Containers for Pumped Breast Milk

by LisaC

Mothers who use a bottle and formula to feed their babies are always concerned about proper storage and handling of formula. Everyone knows that bottles must be sterilized and handled in a safe manner and everyone knows what a good bottle looks like and what qualities they want in it.
However, ot so much is said (at least in my mind) about proper storage containers for pumped breast milk by moms who breastfeed their babies.

For instance, containers for pumped breast milk are important and yet, for all my research I rarely come up with anything other than a few lines as to why containers to store pumped breast milk are important.

So, let’s talk about why the containers a mom stores her breast milk in is of interest.

If it is clean and sanitized it should be ok? Right? Truth is, maybe or maybe not because there are differing opinions by experts.

Plastic liners which some mothers use to store breast milk must of course be sterile. However, there is another issue in that the fat from the breast milk can cling to the sides of certain type of standard bottle liners. Unless mom is using a specially made liner for breast milk then it is often considered wisest to stick to hard plastic bottles or glass bottles for breast milk storage.
Ameda and Medela both make great breast milk storage containers that are engineered to store breast milk safely and not permit the fat to cling to the sides of the bag. Babies need that fat.
Medela even makes a breast milk storage bag with a pouring spout when can eliminate those spills when trying to transfer stored breast milk to a bottle. Breast milk is precious!

When using any container to store breast milk that has been pumped, be sure your preparation area is clean and allow about a quarter inch of space (maybe a bit more) at the top of the container to allow for expansion of milk if it is to be frozen.

Plastic bottles and glass containers used for storing pumped breast milk are re-usable as long as they are properly cleaned and sterilized between uses.

Mom doesn’t necessarily need a specially designed breast milk storage bottle or container but using them can ease any concerns about storage and cleanliness. There are so many other things for a new mom to worry about, why add one more? Some special containers for pumped breast milk storage are so designed that the milk goes directly from the breast pump into the storage containers.

Remember, if you try to use plastic liners not specifically made for breast milk storage that if the milk is frozen you will be trying to pour that breast milk from a shapeless bag after thawing it and of course trying not to spill it. That’s quite a challenge. Some plastic bags and liners are not made to be frozen or even reheated for that matter, so be aware the plastic will need to be of sturdier stuff than what might be used to store left over salad.

A good set of storage bottles or supply of plastic storage liners can save the new or veteran breastfeeding mom a lot of time and headaches at a time they don’t need new headaches. Or can save them trying to manipulate containers not meant for breast milk storage and eliminate concerns over whether the material is right or safe to hold baby’s food.