Human Milk Expression & Storage Guidance

When it comes to understanding the dos and don’ts of human milk storage, we’ve got you covered.  Think of this as your go-to resource for keeping that liquid gold fresh and making life a little easier for parents with busy days (and tired nights)!

Before You Begin: Clean Hands, Clean Equipment

Start with the basics: wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Whether you’re using a manual or electric pump, check the pump and tubing before each use to ensure everything is clean and undamaged.

Storing Human Milk

Once expressed, human milk should be stored in human milk storage bags or food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids.  Don’t forget to label each container with the date and time of expression. Follow these storage guidelines for optimal freshness: 

Storage Tips

• Avoid storing milk on the door of the refrigerator to protect it from temperature changes.

• Consider freezing milk in 2 to 4-ounce increments to avoid wasting milk once thawed.
• Do not overfill storage bags, as milk expands when frozen.
• Human milk leftover from a feeding (i.e., the baby did not finish the bottle) should be used within two hours after the baby is finished feeding; otherwise, it should be discarded.

Keeping Pump Parts Clean

Pumping or expressing milk when away from the baby can be a lot of work! Even though it may be tempting to save some time, it is important to remember that keeping pump parts and feeding items cleaned and sanitized is crucial to keeping the baby safe.  

Pump parts should be disassembled and washed with soap and water in a basin or dishpan separate from the sink to avoid contamination.  A bottle or straw brush can be helpful for cleaning those hard-to-reach areas of pump parts. 

The CDC also recommends sanitizing all pump parts and feeding items once daily for babies < 2 months old and those born prematurely or who have a weakened immune system.  To sanitize, pump parts and feeding items may be boiled in water for 5 minutes.  Many sanitizer-type products exist (from microwave steam bags to plug-in appliances), and these should be used based on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Empowering Parents

Equipping parents with clear, evidence-based guidance on milk storage and pumping practices empowers them to nourish their babies with confidence.  Remember, your encouragement and expertise make a lasting impact, so celebrate their efforts and continue to offer families the grace and understanding they need during their feeding journeys.

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s (ABM) Clinical Protocol #8: Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants, Revised 2017