There are many hand-held and electric pumps on the market. If you’re interested in using a pump to express, it might be a good idea to speak with your child and family health nurse or an Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor. They can give you information to help you choose the right pump for your needs.
Guidelines for storing breastmilk
You should refrigerate or freeze breastmilk after expressing.
Here are guidelines for how long you can store breastmilk at different temperatures and when you should use stored or frozen breastmilk.
Freshly expressed breastmilk
Put breastmilk into a clean, closed container or sealable plastic bag – that is, not into the same container as previously refrigerated or frozen milk. You can store breastmilk:
- at room temperature (26ºC or lower) for 6-8 hours
- in the fridge (4ºC or lower) for up to 72 hours – the best spot is the back of refrigerator where it’s coldest
- in the freezer compartment inside a fridge for two weeks
- in the freezer section of a fridge with separate door for three months
- in the deep freeze (-18ºC or lower) for 6-12 months.
Write the date of expressing on the storage container or bag before you refrigerate or freeze the breastmilk.
Previously frozen breastmilk
(thawed in the fridge but not warmed)
You can store breastmilk:
- at room temperature (26ºC or lower) for four hours or less – that is, until the next feed
- in the fridge for up to 24 hours (the best spot is the back of refrigerator where it’s coldest).
Do not refreeze previously frozen breastmilk.
Breastmilk thawed outside fridge in warm water
You can store breastmilk:
- at room temperature (26ºC or lower) until the end of the feed
- in the fridge for four hours or until the next feed.
Do not refreeze previously frozen breastmilk.
If your baby doesn’t finish his feed of expressed breastmilk, you can’t use it for another feed. You should throw it away.
Transporting expressed breastmilk
You can transport expressed breastmilk between home and other places – for example, to work to feed your baby during the day.
Expressed breastmilk can travel:
- in an insulated container like an Esky or cooler bag with a freezer brick
- either frozen or fresh – if the milk has thawed, use it within four hours and don’t refreeze it.
Place the labelled breastmilk in the refrigerator as soon as you arrive or in the freezer if it’s still frozen.
Preparing expressed breastmilk for use
You can give your baby expressed breastmilk with a cup, spoon or bottle.
Warm your container of breastmilk by placing it in warm water. Use fresh breastmilk first if you have some, but if you’re using frozen breastmilk, you can thaw it by placing it in either cool or warm water.
Gently swirl the bottle or container, and test the temperature of the milk before feeding your baby.
Don’t use a microwave oven to thaw or warm the milk, because this destroys some of the components of breastmilk. It can also result in hot spots, which can burn a baby.
Cleaning equipment
You should thoroughly wash all equipment used for expressing and storing breastmilk – bottles, bowls and other equipment.
Thoroughly wash equipment in warm soapy water, rinse well and air-dry or dry parts with clean paper towel. Store covered until next use.
If you’re using a pump, wash the parts of the pumping kit once every 24 hours.
In between expressing sessions within 24 hours, you can store the kit unrinsed and covered in the fridge. You can also store it rinsed and covered at room temperature.
This information applies for a normal healthy baby being fed his own mother’s breastmilk. If your baby is premature or sick, follow the guidelines given by the health professionals caring for your baby.