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Liquid Treasure: A Guide to Storing Breast Milk

The Liquid Treasure: A Guide to Storing Breast Milk

The benefits of breast milk for the baby. But why is it not comparable to formula milk? Why store breast milk? How to express breast milk Choosing the most suitable breast pump. Effective expression techniques. Hygiene during expression. Suitable containers for storing breast milk Short-term storage of breast milk In the refrigerator At room temperature Long-term storage of breast milk: freezing How to defrost stored breast milk? Defrosting in the refrigerator Defrosting with warm water Defrosting in a water bath Methods for warming breast milk Myths to dispel: frequently asked questions about storing breast milk. Why can't breast milk be reheated twice? Why does breast milk separate in the refrigerator? Can expressed breast milk be mixed at different times? How to understand if breast milk has gone bad? Conclusion

Are you breastfeeding your baby, but you find yourself in a situation where you can't do it on demand because you're going back to work or because you have to be away for part of the day? Do you know how important it is for him and don't want to have to resort to formula milk? Then knowing how to best store breast milk is very important to ensure its safety and quality for your baby.


Before continuing to read this complete guide on breast milk storage , I'll leave you with some useful information:


  1. If you would like to schedule an office visit with me or my midwife colleague, you can find me here.
  2. You can also find us on Instagram with the profile @drsilva.com_official

The benefits of breast milk for the baby.

Breast milk is a unique and irreplaceable food. This is why the WHO guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until the sixth month of life and recommend that it remain a priority choice until two years of age and until it pleases mother and child. This is because it is a food that is impossible to replicate and absolutely cannot be compared to formula milk.


So if you have to go away or go back to work, know that it is not necessary to switch to formula milk and stop breastfeeding your baby, but it will be enough to know how to best express and preserve this treasure.

But why is it not comparable to formula milk?

Let's start by saying that the composition of breast milk varies over time and during the feeding itself, starting with a liquid and sugary milk to quench the baby's thirst and becoming thicker and more substantial to satiate him. Furthermore, breast milk is able to adapt to the baby's needs, for example by increasing the amount of antibodies and becoming more liquid in case of a cold, to help the little one fight the infection.

In fact, your milk contains

  • Antibodies: Protect the baby from diseases.
  • Hormones: Regulate appetite and promote mother-child bonding.
  • Stem cells: They support development.
  • White blood cells: Fight infections.
  • Beneficial bacteria: Helps and protects your baby's digestive system.
  • Oligosaccharides: Probiotics that promote gut health.
  • Long-chain fatty acids: Help support the development of your baby's brain, nervous system, and eyes.
  • Enzymes: For the digestive and immune systems.
  • Nucleotides and hormones: To regulate sleep-wake cycle.

Why store breast milk?

As we have seen, breast milk contains several nutrients not found in formula, but choosing to continue breastfeeding by storing breast milk also has the following advantages:

  • Economical : Breast milk is free, saving between 1100 and 1300 euros in the first year of your baby's life compared to formula milk.
  • Child Health : Breast milk promotes healthy eating, reduces the risk of obesity and diabetes, protects against diarrhea, ear infections, influenza, gastroenteritis and thrush, and halves the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Studies show that breastfed children are more likely to succeed at school and have better dental alignment and behavior.
  • Mother's Health : Breastfeeding helps mothers get back into shape after giving birth and reduces the risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
  • Environmental : Breast milk is environmentally friendly, requiring no transportation, packaging or manufacturing plant emissions like formula milk.

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