Breast milk can be stored, for varying lengths of time, at room temperature, in the refrigerator or freezer. Breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container or in special breast milk storage bags. Storing breast milk in small quantities helps to avoid wastage. If you freeze it, be sure to label and date it first.
At room temperature:
Colostrum (milk from the first days of life) can be stored for 12 hours at room temperature;
milk can be stored at room temperature:
below 15°C for 24 hours
from 15 to 25°C for 10 hours
from 25 to 37°C for 4 hours.
In the fridge:
(0 - 4°C) for 5-8 days. If not used within this limit it must be stored by transferring it to the freezer.
In the ice compartment of a fridge:
breast milk can be stored for 2 weeks.
In the freezer:
in the freezer compartment with a separate door, breast milk will keep for 3-4 months;
in the separate freezer compartment breast milk will keep for 6 months or more.
NB. If it is a premature baby or a baby with a serious illness, the storage time should be halved.
How to thaw milk?
Frozen breast milk should be thawed slowly in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
It is also OK to keep the container in lukewarm water.
Caution: do not use a microwave oven, as the milk may heat unevenly and burn the baby's mouth.
Thawed milk can be stored in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours. Once
once it has been brought back to room temperature it must be used or thrown away, never refrozen!
What if I have leftover milk?
If you have more milk than your baby needs, you can donate it!
For more information, look at OXFORD HUMAN MILK BANK https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/maternity/feeding/milk-bank.aspx