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Everything But the Breast
A Look at Exclusive Pumping
By Cynthia Peterson
Breast milk is commonly pumped directly into bottles. It is very convenient to then place a nipple on the collection bottle and feed your baby. You can also choose to transfer the milk from the collection bottle to a storage bag to freeze for later use.
You can store milk that will be served within a few hours on your kitchen counter if the temperature in your house is lower than 77 degrees. The bacteria-fighting properties of breast milk protects it from harmful bacteria. If the milk is to be served between 10 and 48 hours later, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
Frozen breast milk is good for about six months. Breast milk can be frozen in plastic baggies made just for this purpose. Date the bags so you can use them from oldest to newest. Double bagging is a good idea to decrease the likelihood of accidental punctures. Place the milk in the baggie first, freeze it and then place it in a gallon freezer bag. Every time you freeze a new serving you can add it to the gallon bag.
Most babies accept room temperature milk with no trouble. To thaw frozen milk, place the whole bag in a pan of warm, not boiling, water. Follow this same procedure with milk stored in the refrigerator. Never warm milk in the microwave; it destroys the natural properties of the breast milk and produces "hot spots" that can burn your baby. Heating the milk in boiling water also destroys nutrients.
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