Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies, but it can be challenging for breastfeeding mothers who need to express and store their milk when a fridge isn’t available. Whether you're on the go, at work, or traveling, knowing how to safely store breast milk at room temperature or in other cooling methods is vital for ensuring your baby receives the highest quality nutrition.
Today, we will guide you through the proper steps for storing breast milk without a fridge and offer practical solutions to maintain its freshness and safety for your little one.
Can I Store Expressed Breast Milk at Room Temperature?
Yes. Freshly expressed milk can be safely kept at room temperature (77°F or 25°C or colder) for up to 4 hours. If the temperature exceeds 77°F, the safe storage time may be reduced for, sadly, the increased risk of bacterial growth. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) recommend washing hands thoroughly before expressing milk and using clean, food-grade containers, as proper hygiene is essential to avoid contamination. Furthermore, the milk should not be stored in areas prone to temperature fluctuations, like near windows or heat sources.
How Long Can You Store Breast Milk?
The CDC guidelines clarifies the duration for storing expressed breast milk depends on the storage method:
| Storage Methods | Temperature | MaximumStorage Duration |
| Room Temperature | 77°F (25°C) or cooler | Up to 4 hours |
| Refrigerator | 40°F (4°C) or colder | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer | 0°F (-18°C) or colder | 6 months (optimal) |
What If You Leave Expressed Breast Milk Out of Fridge for More Than 4 Hours?
Well, it should be thrown away. For several problems arise if expressed breast milk is left out for longer than the recommended 4 hours. First, the nutritional value of the milk, particularly its vitamin C content, begins to degrade over time. Additionally, a woman’s breast milk is tailored to her baby’s current needs, and prolonged exposure at room temperature can lead to a loss of its dynamic, health-supporting properties. More concerning, milk that is left out for too long, especially if it’s been previously used for feeding, can become contaminated with bacteria, especially from the baby’s mouth, making it unsafe for further consumption.
How to Store Breast Milk Without a Fridge?
In some cases, you may not have access to a fridge to store your breast milk. No worries. we'll put your mind at ease with steps you can take:
Method 1
Step 1: Pump with a Great Breast Pump. Take the Momcozy M9. The pump allows for up to 4-5 pumping sessions on a single charge with its advanced 3rd-gen motor that offers powerful suction.
Step 2: Store the Milk in the Breastmilk Storage Bags. You can assuredly transfer the pumped milk into Momcozy Breastmilk Storage Bags, characteristic of a double zipper seal and temperature-sensing discoloration features, both of which guarantees the milk is stored safely and at the right temperature.
Step 3: Keep the Milk in an Insulated Cooler. Place your sealed Momcozy storage bags inside an insulated cooler filled with ice packs. Keep the bags surrounded by ice for a cold environment. This way, the milk can be effectively kept for up to 24 hours.
Step 4: Label Each Bag with the Date and Time of Pumping. The label can help you manage the milk’s usage priority and ensures it is used within 24 hours when stored in a cooler.
Step 5: Monitor and Use as Needed. Monitor the temperature within the cooler periodically, if possible. Use or properly refrigerate the milk within 24 hours for the best of your baby.
Method 2
If you already have pumped milk at lower temperatures for storage during travel without a fridge, you can resort to simpler steps outlined as follows:
Step 1: Store in a Portable Breast Milk Cooler. After pumping, transfer the milk into the Momcozy Portable Breast Milk Cooler that features reusable Momcozy storage bottles, designed to prevent contamination and leaks. The cooler features vacuum insulation and 360°even cooling, keeping milk cold for up to 24 hours without the need for ice packs.
Step 2: Seal and Carry. Close the cooler tightly to ensure a vacuum-sealed environment that maintains the cold temperature. Momcozy Portable Breast Milk Cooler is super easy to carry while traveling, working, or during outdoor activities, with no extra bulk or need for ice packs.
Step 3: Monitor and Use. The cooler maintains an optimal temperature for 24 hours. Ensure you use or refrigerate the milk within this time to preserve its freshness and nutritional value.
How to Warm Refrigerated Breast Milk Quickly?
With a Momcozy bottle warmer, warming your cold breast milk is a breeze:
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Adapter
Identify and attach the correct adapter for your baby bottle to the Momcozy bottle warmer. Which includes 5 adapters compatible with major bottle brands such as Philip Avent, Tommee Tippee, Comotomo, Dr. Brown's, and more.
Step 2: Connect and Secure the Bottle
Twist the baby bottle onto the adapter to guarantee it is securely fastened. And Check the alignment of the locking area on the bottle with the connector on the warmer.
Step 3: Prepare the Bottle Warmer
Turn the bottle warmer upside down to make the bottle properly connected.
Step 4: Power On the Device
Press and hold the power button on the warmer for 2 seconds to turn it on.
Step 5: Set the Temperature
Press the temperature button to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Then, use the "+" or "-" buttons to set the desired warming temperature.
Step 6: Start Warming
Press the start button to begin warming the milk. The device will lock the screen to prevent accidental changes during warming.
Step 7: Monitor and Wait
Wait for the device to warm the milk to the set temperature. The Momcozy bottle warmer quickly heats 4oz of milk to 98°F in just 2 minutes. Rapid warming with zero nutrient loss.
Step 8: Check the Milk
Once the warming is complete, do make sure the milk is at a comfortable temperature before feeding your baby.
Summary
Storing expressed breast milk without access to a refrigerator may seem daunting, but with Momcozy, the right tools and precautions, it is entirely manageable. Following proper hygiene, using insulated coolers, and carefully monitoring the storage duration, you can be fully assured that your baby will continue to benefit from the nourishment of breast milk, even in challenging situations.
FAQs about Milk Storage
Q: How do you store breast milk when not at home?
If not at home, store expressed breast milk in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs. This setup keeps the milk cold for up to 24 hours. Or you can just transfer expressed breast milk just out of a fridge to the easy-to-carry Momcozy Milk Cooler that can wonderfully keep the breast milk cold for 24 hours without the ice packs. Once you reach your destination, transfer the milk into a refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible to ensure it remains safe for later use.
Q: Can I store breast milk in a feeding bottle?
Yes, you can store breast milk in a feeding bottle as long as it’s clean, made of food-grade materials (glass or BPA-free plastic), and has a secure, tight-fitting cap. However, for longer storage, especially in the freezer, it is often better to use specific breast milk storage bags or containers that are designed for freezing, as they take up less space and are made to handle temperature changes better.
Q: Can I store breast milk in any type of plastic container?
No, breast milk should only be stored in food-grade containers made of glass or hard plastic that are free of BPA (Bisphenol A). Avoid using household plastic bags or disposable bottle liners, as they are not designed for breast milk storage and could lead to contamination.
Q: What happens if a baby drinks breast milk that sat out too long?
If a baby drinks breast milk that has sat out for too long (more than 4 hours at room temperature), the milk may have become contaminated with bacteria. Which can lead to potential risks such as upset stomach, diarrhea, or more severe gastrointestinal infections.
Q: Can I combine freshly expressed milk with already refrigerated or frozen milk?
Yes, you can combine freshly expressed milk with milk that has already been refrigerated or frozen, but the fresh milk should be cooled first. Place the fresh milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs until it reaches the same temperature as the previously stored milk. Don't add warm milk directly to already frozen milk, as this could partially thaw the frozen milk and spoil its quality.
Q: How do I store expressed breast milk to prevent waste?
To avoid wasting breast milk, store it in small amounts, typically 2-4 ounces, which is the amount a baby might consume in one feeding. This way, if your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, you minimize the amount of unused milk that must be discarded after 2 hours.
Q: What happens if I refreeze previously thawed breast milk?
It’s not recommended to refreeze previously thawed breast milk. Refreezing can break down the milk’s nutritional and antimicrobial properties, and increase the risk of bacterial contamination. Once thawed, breast milk should be used within 24 hours if stored in the refrigerator, or within 2 hours if kept at room temperature.
Q: How long can expressed breast milk be stored in a cooler?
Expressed breast milk can be stored safely in a cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. Ensure the milk containers are properly sealed and in direct contact with the ice packs to maintain a safe temperature.
Q: What are the signs that breast milk has gone bad?
Breast milk that has gone bad may have a sour smell or a different consistency, such as milk that appears clumpy or separated even after shaking.
Q: Can I mix milk from different pumping sessions in one container?
Yes, but cool the freshly expressed milk first. Milk from different pumping sessions should only be combined when both are at the same temperature. Cool the fresh milk in the fridge before adding it to milk that is already refrigerated or frozen to maintain its quality and safety.
Q: How should I handle leftover milk from a feeding?
Breast milk that remains in the bottle after feeding should be used within 2 hours. If your baby does not finish the milk within this time frame, discard the leftover milk to terminate the risk of bacterial contamination from the baby’s saliva.
Q: Can expressed milk be stored in the refrigerator door?
No, it’s best not to store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator because the temperature there fluctuates more frequently. Instead, place the milk in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is more stable and consistent, ensuring the milk stays fresh longer.
Q: What should I do if my power goes out while breast milk is in the fridge or freezer?
If there is a power outage, keep the refrigerator or freezer doors closed as much as possible. Breast milk stored in a full freezer can remain frozen for up to 48 hours, while in a half-full freezer, it can last for about 24 hours. If the milk begins to thaw, it should be used within 24 hours or discarded if refreezing is not an option.
Q: Is it necessary to warm breast milk before feeding?
No, breast milk does not need to be warmed before breastfeeding (39°F/4°C). But a baby can't drink frozen milk! Frozen breast milk needs to be thawed before feeding. While warming breast milk is not mandatory, many babies prefer warm milk since it mimics the natural temperature they experience during breastfeeding. It can be served cold or at room temperature, depending on what your baby prefers. If you choose to warm it, avoid using a microwave and instead place the milk container in warm water until it reaches the desired temperature.
