Are you wondering how to freeze breast milk flat?
Your milk can be kept in a variety of ways. You have probably seen or heard about all of the different ways to keep milk.
Breast milk is considered “liquid gold” by many people. It can be harvested and safely preserved for several months in the freezer.
Whether you’re pumping extra breast milk to relieve breast bloating or stacking your freezer to have more than enough breast milk when you return to work, following these basic guidelines will help you save every drop of breast milk you pump or express.
You should freeze breastmilk in 27 to 70 ounces before returning to work.
This amount of milk will last 3 to 5 working days, but you should estimate a good number for your situation using the figures above.
Babies can safely consume cold breastmilk or formula. If your kid is healthy and full-term, you don’t need to worry about feeding your infant a bottle directly from the refrigerator or mixing formula with cold water.
Breastmilk is highly robust, and its antibacterial qualities allow it to be stored for a long time.
Refrigerated milk has more nutrients than frozen milk.
Some of the anti-infective properties are gone when milk is frozen, but it still helps protect babies from sickness.
To know more about how to freeze breast milk flat, keep reading.
How To Freeze Breast Milk Flat?
If you need to store breast milk, you may wonder how to freeze it flat. You may save a lot of space in your freezer by freezing your milk.
Breastmilk storage can be difficult, especially if you have a large supply. Refrigerated breastmilk will stay fresh for four days.
For example, breastmilk can be frozen up to a year. Using the freezer to alleviate the breastmilk storage problem is a brilliant idea, but there’s still limited space.
However, how can you freeze breastmilk in a flat state?
Your best bet is to make sure your breastmilk bag is empty of air before setting it flat in the freezer.
Breastmilk takes up less freezer space, and after it’s frozen into a flat pack, you may move it to a different freezer spot to save even more space.
However, there are a few criteria to follow to ensure no hazardous bacteria enter the frozen milk.
Stay right here if you’re seeking a step-by-step tutorial on freezing breastmilk flat.
1. Why Should You Freeze Breastmilk?
As previously said, freezing breastmilk is an excellent option to store any excess that you produce while pumping.
Of course, having frozen milk on hand is convenient for grab-and-go scenarios or leaving milk with a sitter while away from your child.
However, in addition to nursing, frozen breastmilk can be utilized for a few additional purposes, which this article will discuss below.
2. The Easiest Freezing Method
The goal of freezing breastmilk flat is to avoid wasting any of it while simultaneously making it easy to access and store.
Frozen milk retains some of the essential fats, minerals, and antibacterial qualities found in fresh breastmilk is even more crucial than its ease of storage and accessibility.
3. The Best Way to Freeze Breast Milk
You’ll have correctly frozen breast milk in six steps that you can use for up to a year.
Select a Storage Container
You can store breast milk in various containers, including breast milk storage bags, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and breast milk trays.
Consider how long you expect to keep your breast milk in the freezer when choosing the suitable container for you.
Some breast milk storage bags, for example, are primarily intended for freezing and may be stored flat before being stacked, saving a significant amount of room.
If you’re freezing breast milk using disposable bottle liners, they may need further protection to prevent leaks and contamination.
If you want to freeze your breast milk in a more durable container, glass is best because it is the least absorbent.
Whatever container you choose, be sure it’s clean, BPA-free, and suitable for food storage.
Collect Your Tools and Supplies
All you’ll need is a clean collection container if you’re going to hand-express your breast milk.
Make sure you have your pump, pump flanges, tubing, and container for collection if you will be pumping.
To prevent microorganisms from entering your breast milk when pumping, make sure all of your pumping supplies are clean and dry.
Depending on how much breast milk you can pump, you might need extra collection containers on hand.
4. Everything You Need to Know About Breast Pumping
Make sure you cleanse your hands and breasts before pumping or expressing your breast milk. As you collect your breast milk, any bacteria on your skin can get into it.
Collect your breast milk after pumping for around 10 minutes on each side.
Don’t fill it to the top if you’re collecting and storing it in the same container.
Remove the bottle from the pump when it has filled about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way. Replace with another bottle.
If you’re transferring your breast milk from a collection container into a storage container, finish collecting your milk first, then pour it into the storage containers.
When breast milk is frozen, it needs space to expand. Double-check that the seal is secure unless you’re using a storage bag.
Use a one-piece screw-on cap for the best seal if you’re using a plastic or glass bottle. Breast milk should not be frozen using bottle nipples as a lid.
Also read: White Spots On Frozen Breast Milk
Summary
Now, you know how to freeze breast milk flat. There are a few different ways to store frozen breast milk.
Use plastic bottle liners or small ziplock bags placed upright in cups for storing.
Allow a little room at the top of the bag if you wish to freeze the milk because it will expand as it freezes.
It’s also crucial to write the date on the outside of the bag when the milk was pumped.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to store breast milk flat?
It’s best to use 5 ounces. Do keep bags in your freezer as flat as possible.
Tip: Keep bags in your freezer in a plastic storage bin, a shoebox, or another container.
Some mothers even keep milk in a different container and organize it by the date it is frozen.
When should I start storing breast milk in the freezer?
Freeze it if you have any surplus milk that you don’t believe you’ll need within three days of pumping it.
Air bubbles in frozen breast milk should be avoided as much as possible. Freezer burn can occur if there is too much air in the container.
Air bubbles in defrosted breastmilk might create gastrointestinal issues for your baby, including severe gassiness and even colic.
Refrigerated or frozen milk can be mixed with newly expressed breast milk.
Before adding freshly extracted breast milk to previously chilled or frozen milk, properly cool it in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs.
What happens if air bubbles in breast milk are frozen?
Air bubbles can cause freezer burn on frozen breastmilk.
It makes no difference whether the freezer is a kitchen freezer or a deep freezer as long as the temperature is 0°F or lower.
Breast milk can be frozen for up to 12 months (at 0° F or colder), but it’s preferable to use it within 6 months.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
