How to Store EBM

Instead of buying expensive baby milk formulas, many parents are choosing to use EBM, or expressed breast milk. EBM is breast milk that is pumped or expressed from the mother and stored. The milk is stored and fed to the baby at a later time. While breast feeding is perfectly normal, there are times when the mother cannot breast feed her child because of soreness. In this or many other cases, store your EBM so you can feed your child at any time or place.

Things You'll Need

• Breast milk pump
• Plastic or glass container
• Marker
• Masking tape
• Refrigerator
• Freezer

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Instructions

• 1

  Express or pump your breast milk using a pump or by hand. If you are using a pump, connect the pump to a plastic or glass container. If you are using your hand, collect the milk in a plastic or glass container.

• 2

  Seal the container and label the container. Write the time and date when the breast milk was expressed. Use a marker and masking tape.

• 3

  Store the EBM at room temperature. The EBM is safe for 8 hours if feeding your baby at home.

• 4

  Store the EBM in the refrigerator. The EBM is safe for 8 days if feeding your baby at home. Do not store the milk in door compartments. Use the shelves inside the refrigerator.

• 5

  Store the EBM in the freezer at 5 to 15 degrees F. The EBM is safe for 6 months if feeding your baby at home. Do not store the milk in door compartments. Use the shelves inside the freezer.

• 6

  Store the EBM in the freezer at 0 to -20 degrees F. The EBM is safe for 12 months if feeding your baby at home. Do not store the milk in door compartments. Use the shelves inside the freezer.

• 7

  Thaw the milk until it is room temperature. Thawed milk is safe for 24 hours after thawing. Do not refreeze thawed milk.