KidsHealth NZ
Published on KidsHealth NZ (https://www.kidshealth.org.nz)

Home > How To Safely Store Breastmilk

How To Safely Store Breastmilk

Storing breast milk

Storing breast milk. Video transcript [1]. 

Breastmilk can be stored.

Remember to use a sterilised container to put the milk in.

You can store your breastmilk in the fridge for up to 48 hours at 2 to 4 degrees C (usually at the back in the lower half of the fridge, never in the door).

You can keep breastmilk at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

Your breastmilk can be stored for up to 3 to 6 months in a freezer.

Allow your frozen breastmilk to defrost itself in the fridge. When it is thawed, use it straightaway.

Your baby might like warm milk. Stand the bottle in a container of hot water and let it heat to body temperature before feeding. (Microwaving bottles is not recommended because the uneven heating can burn your baby's mouth, and the heat can damage the food value and health protecting qualities of breastmilk.)

Once warmed, and before feeding always swirl the container of milk to mix well and test the temperature by shaking a few drops of milk on the inside of your wrist.  The milk should feel just warm on your skin.

Check KidsHealth's breastfeeding section [2]

Check KidsHealth's infant nutrition section [3]

More detail (see the online version for links to more detailed content)

Storing breastmilk [4]

Check Whānau Āwhina Plunket's chart on how to store expressed milk.

External links and downloads (see the online version for more information at other websites)

Expressing breastmilk (Whānau Āwhina Plunket) [5]

Breastmilk provides your baby with all the nutrition they need to grow in the first 6 months. Expressing breastmilk could give you a bit of flexibility, and help dad and other caregivers get more involved with feeding. Check Whānau Āwhina Plunket's information on expressing and storing breastmilk. 

This page last reviewed 02 June 2013.
Email us [6] your feedback


KidsHealth is a joint initiative between
The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
and Starship Foundation

Supported by the Ministry of Health

Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for health advice and information in NZ

  • About
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy

Back to top


Source URL: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/how-safely-store-breastmilk

Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/storing-breast-milk-video-transcript
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/breastfeeding
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/nutrition-0-12-months
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/storing-breastmilk
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2703
[6] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F1258