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Expressing and Storing Breast Milk
More detailed information from our Breastfeeding Resource Guide can be accessed by clicking on "more" at the end of each section.
Learn more about:
Expressing your milk by hand
Hand expression is useful. You can hand express some milk onto your nipple to get your baby to latch on. It can be
used if you do not have a breast pump. It is also helpful to express colostrum for a baby that is not yet breastfeeding
due to sleepiness, prematurity or illness. The Marmet Method of Hand Expression is one method of expressing your milk
by hand.
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Expressing your milk with a breast pump
Many breast pumps are available, and deciding which one is best for you depends on why you are expressing your milk
and how often. Another thing to consider when deciding which breast pump is best for you is how well it mimics a baby
breastfeeding.
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Storing breast milk
Studies have shown that breast milk has special properties that protect it from bacterial contamination.
Breast milk can be stored for:
- Four hours at room temperature (66 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 19 to 22 degrees Celsius)
- Six days in refrigerator (32 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 to 4 degrees Celsius)
- Two weeks in freezer compartment inside refrigerator. If you have a self-defrosting freezer, place the containers away from defrost unit.
- Three to six months in self-contained freezer unit of refrigerator (place in back of freezer, away from door)
- Six to 12 months in separate deep freeze (0 degrees Fahrenheit or -19 degrees Celsius)
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