After a few weeks after your baby is born, little by little the routine and activities you did before begin to return to normal. Whether you return to work outside the home, have a trip, or just start to leave your home more frequently, this prevents you from being with your baby as you did before. When this happens, it is normal to start having problems organizing yourself so that you can breastfeed at established times.
This is why the milk bank exists. We use milk banks to ensure the consumption of breast milk for babies when you are not around. In fact, for many mothers, the milk bank is the only way to continue with the recommendations of six months of exclusive breastfeeding proposed by the World Health Organization.
Some mothers start their milk bank from the first month, some others until the moment requires it. Whatever your situation, follow these tips to keep better control of your bank and prevent the milk you expressed from being wasted or spoiled.
Freeze milk in small portions
The best way to store milk is to freeze it, as it lasts much longer when stored. Once thawed, milk should not be frozen again. That is why it is important that when storing it you divide it into small portions, so if your baby does not finish that amount, not much is wasted. These servings typically range from 2 to 3 ounces, depending on how much your baby is eating.
Likewise, we recommend that you also prepare smaller bags with 1 to 2 ounces for those occasions when your baby is hungry.
As you can see in the quick storage guide at the end of this article, the type of freezer is important as milk stored at the lowest temperature has the longest shelf life.
Put the date
When you start your milk bank and have a few ounces stored, it is very easy to remember the pumping date. But the more milk you store, your freezer starts to fill up and it's very easy to confuse the order it was in. That is why it is very important to write down on each bag or jar the date and time of extraction as well as the number of ounces it contains.
Then, you should organize them in your freezer so that the oldest ones are the ones closest to hand since you should use the milk that has been frozen the longest first to prevent it from expiring.
Keeping track of the extraction date allows you to avoid giving milk that is no longer in the best condition. Follow our quick guide to find out how long refrigerated or frozen milk can last.
Milk expression
You have to understand that adjusting to the breast pump or extractor takes time. At first you may feel like you are not expressing much milk or even any milk. It is important to give it time and become familiar with it to gain confidence. Many moms find it helpful to give themselves a breast massage before starting to express.
If your plans are to return to work outside the home, we recommend starting the bank 15 to 30 days before you plan to return. If you do not have a set date and you only want to have breast milk reserves, we recommend starting the milk bank before the baby turns three months old as it may be easier as there is more surplus breast milk.
It is not always possible to express milk at the same times as you had with the baby, however it is important to try to do everything possible to do the same number of feedings so that you continue to have the same production. The recommended expression time is 15 minutes for each breast, either simultaneously or one by one.
Finally, expressing milk should not hurt or bother you. If this happens, it may be that the cup size is not the right size and is squeezing your nipple too much. With any sign of irritation or pain, it is necessary to check if the fit or size is adequate.
Extraction hygiene
To prevent milk from being contaminated, it is important to store it in completely sterilized containers to avoid the presence of bacteria or any other microorganism in the storage container. You can find some bags that are already sterilized or you can clean and sterilize the containers before using them.
Breastfeed when you can
Take advantage of when you are with your baby to breastfeed before leaving and just when you return, this way you use less milk from your bank. This will also help your production to regulate and you can have greater extractions.
Ask the person who is taking care of your baby while you are away not to feed him before you return so that when you arrive you can catch him and take advantage of feeding him yourself.
Breastfeeding twins, multiples or tandem
In the case of mothers who have more than one baby to feed, milk banks become essential. Not only for the times when the mother is not with the baby but to ensure, for example, that all the babies eat at the same time.
With the growth of the baby and the increase in milk required, the milk bank on these occasions can become so large that the typical freezer space is no longer sufficient. For this, it is recommended that they have a single freezer for breast milk so that defrosting problems are avoided when using the regular freezer for daily use.
Thaw milk to use
In order to give the baby milk, it is important to plan the defrosting. This can be done by transferring them directly from the freezer to the refrigerator and letting their temperature rise. This can take up to 12 hours.
To do it a little faster, you can put the bag or bottle under running water, making sure the water is not too hot. You can also submerge it in a bowl of warm water until it thaws.
Never use heat such as a fire or microwave to defrost milk as it may damage its properties.
Once thawed, it is important that you try it before giving it to your baby to ensure that the taste and smell are appropriate. If you feel it's not right, be sure to throw it away. Remember that you should not refreeze milk that has already been thawed.
Try different ways to offer milk
Babies who have only been exclusively breastfed and have not tried a bottle may reject the bottle or not know how to use it at first. It may take time for them to get used to it, so it is recommended to try different types and brands of bottles or even try feeding them with a cup, spoon or syringe.
!Do not give up! Take it easy
Expressing milk can become a very tedious task and many times you will not feel like doing it. However, skipping extraction feedings can cause your production to decrease considerably and you will not be able to have a sufficient milk bank.
Make sure you pump frequently, even if they are short, throughout the day. It is better to express milk for five minutes four times a day, than half an hour once a day. If you take frequent shots in this way you will increase production.
To start pumping, find a quiet time and place. Remember that unlike having your baby skin-to-skin, in this case we have to get the oxytocin flowing with the machine attached. You must be without interruptions, in a comfortable place where you are comfortable.
Finally, to motivate yourself, think that benching will allow you to continue feeding your baby with breast milk for more weeks or months even when you are no longer pumping.
Quick Breast Milk Storage Guide:
Source: Edulacta, 2021.
This is why the milk bank exists. We use milk banks to ensure the consumption of breast milk for babies when you are not around. In fact, for many mothers, the milk bank is the only way to continue with the recommendations of six months of exclusive breastfeeding proposed by the World Health Organization.
Some mothers start their milk bank from the first month, some others until the moment requires it. Whatever your situation, follow these tips to keep better control of your bank and prevent the milk you expressed from being wasted or spoiled.
Freeze milk in small portions
The best way to store milk is to freeze it, as it lasts much longer when stored. Once thawed, milk should not be frozen again. That is why it is important that when storing it you divide it into small portions, so if your baby does not finish that amount, not much is wasted. These servings typically range from 2 to 3 ounces, depending on how much your baby is eating.
Likewise, we recommend that you also prepare smaller bags with 1 to 2 ounces for those occasions when your baby is hungry.
As you can see in the quick storage guide at the end of this article, the type of freezer is important as milk stored at the lowest temperature has the longest shelf life.
Put the date
When you start your milk bank and have a few ounces stored, it is very easy to remember the pumping date. But the more milk you store, your freezer starts to fill up and it's very easy to confuse the order it was in. That is why it is very important to write down on each bag or jar the date and time of extraction as well as the number of ounces it contains.
Then, you should organize them in your freezer so that the oldest ones are the ones closest to hand since you should use the milk that has been frozen the longest first to prevent it from expiring.
Keeping track of the extraction date allows you to avoid giving milk that is no longer in the best condition. Follow our quick guide to find out how long refrigerated or frozen milk can last.
Milk expression
You have to understand that adjusting to the breast pump or extractor takes time. At first you may feel like you are not expressing much milk or even any milk. It is important to give it time and become familiar with it to gain confidence. Many moms find it helpful to give themselves a breast massage before starting to express.
If your plans are to return to work outside the home, we recommend starting the bank 15 to 30 days before you plan to return. If you do not have a set date and you only want to have breast milk reserves, we recommend starting the milk bank before the baby turns three months old as it may be easier as there is more surplus breast milk.
It is not always possible to express milk at the same times as you had with the baby, however it is important to try to do everything possible to do the same number of feedings so that you continue to have the same production. The recommended expression time is 15 minutes for each breast, either simultaneously or one by one.
Finally, expressing milk should not hurt or bother you. If this happens, it may be that the cup size is not the right size and is squeezing your nipple too much. With any sign of irritation or pain, it is necessary to check if the fit or size is adequate.
Extraction hygiene
To prevent milk from being contaminated, it is important to store it in completely sterilized containers to avoid the presence of bacteria or any other microorganism in the storage container. You can find some bags that are already sterilized or you can clean and sterilize the containers before using them.
Breastfeed when you can
Take advantage of when you are with your baby to breastfeed before leaving and just when you return, this way you use less milk from your bank. This will also help your production to regulate and you can have greater extractions.
Ask the person who is taking care of your baby while you are away not to feed him before you return so that when you arrive you can catch him and take advantage of feeding him yourself.
Breastfeeding twins, multiples or tandem
In the case of mothers who have more than one baby to feed, milk banks become essential. Not only for the times when the mother is not with the baby but to ensure, for example, that all the babies eat at the same time.
With the growth of the baby and the increase in milk required, the milk bank on these occasions can become so large that the typical freezer space is no longer sufficient. For this, it is recommended that they have a single freezer for breast milk so that defrosting problems are avoided when using the regular freezer for daily use.
Thaw milk to use
In order to give the baby milk, it is important to plan the defrosting. This can be done by transferring them directly from the freezer to the refrigerator and letting their temperature rise. This can take up to 12 hours.
To do it a little faster, you can put the bag or bottle under running water, making sure the water is not too hot. You can also submerge it in a bowl of warm water until it thaws.
Never use heat such as a fire or microwave to defrost milk as it may damage its properties.
Once thawed, it is important that you try it before giving it to your baby to ensure that the taste and smell are appropriate. If you feel it's not right, be sure to throw it away. Remember that you should not refreeze milk that has already been thawed.
Try different ways to offer milk
Babies who have only been exclusively breastfed and have not tried a bottle may reject the bottle or not know how to use it at first. It may take time for them to get used to it, so it is recommended to try different types and brands of bottles or even try feeding them with a cup, spoon or syringe.
!Do not give up! Take it easy
Expressing milk can become a very tedious task and many times you will not feel like doing it. However, skipping extraction feedings can cause your production to decrease considerably and you will not be able to have a sufficient milk bank.
Make sure you pump frequently, even if they are short, throughout the day. It is better to express milk for five minutes four times a day, than half an hour once a day. If you take frequent shots in this way you will increase production.
To start pumping, find a quiet time and place. Remember that unlike having your baby skin-to-skin, in this case we have to get the oxytocin flowing with the machine attached. You must be without interruptions, in a comfortable place where you are comfortable.
Finally, to motivate yourself, think that benching will allow you to continue feeding your baby with breast milk for more weeks or months even when you are no longer pumping.
Quick Breast Milk Storage Guide:
| Temperature | Full term baby | Premature baby |
| Freshly expressed milk (in a closed container) | ||
| Ambient temperature 19-25°C | 6 hours | 4 hours |
| In thermal bag 15°C | 24 hours | 12 hours |
| Ambient temp (thawed milk) 19-22°C |
1 hour | 1 hour |
| Refrigerated milk (Do not store in the refrigerator door) | ||
| Refrigerator (fresh milk) 0-4°C | 8 days | 48 hours |
| Refrigerator (thawed milk) 0-4°C | 24 hours | 12 hours |
| Frozen milk (Do not refreeze or store in the door) | ||
| Freezer inside a refrigerator | 2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Separate freezer but part of the refrigerator (-18°C) | 3-4 months | 3 months |
| Separate freezer (-20°C) | 12 months | 6 months |
Source: Edulacta, 2021.