When I was pregnant with my first child, one of the first things I googled was, “How do I store breast milk? I knew it was some container, but I was surprised to find many preservation solutions on the market.

Here is a list of the pros and cons of three common types, two of which I have tried. Or, if you want to know how long breast milk can be stored, skip to the end of the article, where I designed a handy chart for safe breast milk storage times.

Breast Milk Storage Cups, Containers, and Bottles

The pros :

• All-in-one solution – Storage bottles are usually compatible with bottles and breast pumps of that particular brand, which means you can express directly into them, screw the lid on, and put it straight into the fridge or freezer for storage. Then, when you need it, thaw it, warm it up and replace the lid with the bottle nipple.
• Reusable
• Freezer and dishwasher
• Easy to use when you’re on the go

Cons :

• Takes up space – If you express yourself exclusively, you need several cups daily, depending on how often you pump. And if you want a week’s supply in the freezer, there are several dozen cups in the freezer.
• Slow to thaw – It takes up to 12 hours to thaw in the refrigerator; one hour in standing water; and even under hot running water, it can take 5 to 10 minutes.

 

Breast milk storage bags

The pros :

• Compact, saves space – You can easily have a month’s breast milk supply in the freezer with storage bags. Before freezing them, you can either open them at the base, so they are upright or flatten them and stack them in a lying position.
• Easy to a label – Breast milk does not keep indefinitely (see storage guide at the end of this article), labeling the bags with the storage date lets you know when to use it.
• Quick to thaw – Because the bags are thinner than cups, the breast milk inside thaws in minutes when you put them under warm running water and gently “massage” the frozen milk by melting it. This means you can take them out of the freezer only when needed.

Cons :

• Disposable – Saves time, but not the environment or your money.
• Not ideal for travel – Once breast milk is thawed and the bag is soft, it can easily be punctured by anything sharp in your bag.
• Waste of breast milk – There will always be a little milk left in the bag after you pour it out.

 

Breast milk storage trays

The pros :

• Reusable
• Freezer and dishwasher
• Versatile – Many storage bins are also designed to freeze baby food, and some, like these silicone freezer bins, are even good for baking!
• Use what you need – Because breast milk is frozen in small, measured portions, you can thaw the exact amount you need for a particular feeding or quickly thaw more if the baby wants more.

Cons :

• Takes time – You must first carefully pour expressed breast milk into each compartment, then freeze the tray; then, take the cubes out, put them in zippered bags, and label them with the date. (Note: Ziploc bags are not sterilized, so you risk contamination).
• Home Solution – The tray is intended for home use only. For travel, you must place the cubes in another storage solution such as a bottle, cup, or breast milk bag.
• Easy to Spill – If you don’t have soft, firm hands, it’s easy to accidentally spill breast milk when you pour or put the lid on the tray.

 

The best way to store breast milk?

The best way to store breast milk depends mainly on the extraction frequency, how much you want to store, and whether you want a suitable travel solution. It is a good idea to have a mix of conservation solutions to adapt and use what is most appropriate for the conservation of breast milk.

For example, I use conservation bags for my reserve milk supply and conservation bottles when I think I will use the milk in the next three days, in which case I wouldn’t freeze it. I would leave it in the fridge, so I don’t have to defrost it when I’m in a hurry.

And speaking of storage solutions, you’ll need this illustrative guide I’ve designed so you know how long breast milk can be stored. Enjoy it!

I hope this comparison article was useful. Please comment and let me know what your experience using these storage solutions has been.