Breast Milk Storage Containers
Moms who regularly decant and want to freeze the milk for the future, seek to select the most convenient packaging for this purpose. What are good special containers for this and how to use them?
pros
- The ability to use them many times makes them very convenient for mothers who often express themselves and regularly make stocks of mother's milk.
- They have a strong lid that seals the container (screwed on) and allows you to transport food without any problems.
- Due to the ability to connect containers directly to the breast pump, it is convenient and easy to collect milk in them. They are also usually compatible with the nipples of the same manufacturer.
- They can be in the form of jars, bottles or cups.
- They can freeze and other products for the child.
- They are easy to record the date of decanting milk.
- They are convenient to use outside the home, for example, on a trip.
- It is easy to defrost milk in it by placing the container in warm water or transferring it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight.
- The presence of a measuring scale allows you to control the volume.
- They can be washed in dishwashers.
Minuses
- Necessary to sterilize before use.
- This container takes up more space in the freezer than disposable breast milk bags.
- The use of special containers requires certain financial costs.
- Glass models can break if handled carelessly.
Choosing a material
Such containers are plastic and glass. Plastic containers are more suitable for mothers who are going to keep expressed milk in the refrigerator, because with such storage, white blood cells and particles of fat remain on the walls of glass containers. If the mother plans to feed the baby with frozen milk in the future, glass models are preferable, since this material is less porous and protects it better.
For those who express and freeze milk rarely, the material is not so important. Solid plastic containers perfectly cope with storage in the refrigerator, and during freezing.
Storage time
In order for a child to receive a useful product, it is important to keep track of how long it is used. To do this, on each container should make notes on the date of pumping. If milk will be used soon, it is better not to freeze it, but to keep it in a refrigerator. Cold storage is allowed for up to 48 hours. In this case, the container must be placed deep into the refrigerator, and not on the door of the equipment.
If the container is stored in a separate freezer (in such devices the temperature is lower), it can be kept in it for six months. If you put it in the freezer compartment of a regular refrigerator, use the milk for three to four months. Read more about this in the article about how much can be expressed expressed breast milk.
Tips
- You can not fill the container completely, because it will expand during freezing. It is recommended to leave at the top of the container free space of 1-2 centimeters. It is also not recommended to tighten the lids too tightly until complete freezing.
- Wash hands before any handling.
It is not recommended to heat the milk in the microwave, as it does not heat up evenly. Before feeding the baby, it is important to check the temperature of the milk. About, how to warm breast milkread in another article.
Instructions for use
Containers should be sterilized before use. A clean container is connected to the breast pump and filled with milk. Closing the container with a cap, the date of pumping is indicated on it. Next, the container is placed inside the refrigerator or in the freezer.
