How to Store, Warm, and Cook with Breast Milk

Breast milk must be safely stored and prepared to minimize the risk of foodborne illness for baby. This article explains everything you need to know.

Just starting solids? Download the Solid Starts App.

The following information pertains to babies born at term without any significant medical needs. For guidance on babies who are premature or have medical needs, talk to your baby’s pediatric healthcare provider.

How long does breast milk last after pumping?

It depends on how it is stored. Once expressed, and as long as it is untouched by baby, breast milk keeps: 

Be sure to wash your hands with hot water and soap before handling a breast pump, bottle, and pumped breast milk to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Also, make sure that breast pump parts, bottles, and storage materials are all clean before using.

Safety tips for storing breast milk

Once you are ready to store breast milk, follow these safety tips: 

Make sure to clean pump parts after each use to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. If they can’t be washed immediately after pumping, store the parts in a clean container in the refrigerator to wash and clean as soon as you’re able. 

When handling breast milk, try your best to reduce the number of times it is transferred between containers. The nourishing fat in the breast milk can stick to the different containers.

Safety tips for thawing frozen breast milk

Use the FIFO approach: first in, first out. In other words, use the oldest frozen milk before using more recently frozen milk. This helps reduce waste.

Do not thaw breast milk on the counter, which can increase the risk of foodborne illness. When thawing breast milk, use one of these methods: 

Once thawed, previously frozen breast milk keeps for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature and 24 hours in the refrigerator. Do not refreeze thawed milk. 

Cold breast milk may be offered to baby. Do not use the microwave to thaw or warm milk, which can lead to “hot spots” in the bottle and increase the risk of burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much breast milk does baby need? 

It varies. Generally babies require between 24 to 32 fl oz (720 to 960 ml) of breast milk per day, and some babies may drink more while others may drink less. Both scenarios are normal. Expect more frequent nursing sessions when baby is younger, and fewer nursing sessions as baby becomes more efficient and stronger at drinking breast milk. Breast milk intake also gradually decreases as baby builds the skills to consume solid food, which can happen as early as 9 months of age. See Baby Feeding Schedules for more information. 

Is a sanitizer necessary to clean pump parts and bottles? 

No, a specific sanitizer product isn’t required to clean pump parts and bottles.

It’s generally recommended to wash pump parts and bottles with hot water and dishwasher detergent between each use. Some pump parts may also be able to be cleaned in the dishwasher, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. The CDC suggests sanitizing pump parts every few days to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This can be done either by steam microwaving, boiling the parts, or using the sanitizing setting on the dishwasher, according to pump manufacturer recommendations.

Baby bottles should be washed in between each use. It is generally recommended to sanitize baby bottles once daily, particularly for younger babies or babies with medical complexities. Babies who are older and healthy may not need to have their bottles sanitized. Baby bottles may be sanitized either by boiling, steam microwaving, or using the sanitizing setting on the dishwasher, according to bottle manufacturer recommendations.

Does chilled breast milk need to be warmed for baby? 

No. Baby can drink chilled breast milk. This also helps baby begin to get comfortable with the idea that food can have different temperatures.

How do I store breast milk that is leftover from feeding? 

If it is within 1-2 hours from the start of the feed, it is generally fine to reoffer the leftover breast milk to baby. After that, it is recommended to discard the leftovers. Why? Bacteria in baby’s saliva can cause breast milk to spoil rapidly and can increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Does freezing lower the nutritional value of breast milk? 

Yes, a little. However, frozen breast milk is still highly nutritious and some nutrient loss is generally not a significant issue for most babies. Plus, freezing is a convenient way to store additional breast milk and reduce waste.  

Can I move breast milk stored in the refrigerator to the freezer? 

Breast milk may also be frozen within 48 to 72 hours from when it was expressed, but generally, it is best to immediately freeze it after pumping to keep breast milk fresh.

How do I know if I have high lipase breast milk?

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that is present in breast milk, and its role is to support the breakdown and eventual absorption of fat in baby’s body. Lipase can impact the taste of breast milk. Some parents may realize their breast milk is high in lipase when it smells “off” or soapy, particularly when pumped and stored for later use. It is important to remember that there is nothing that a parent did “wrong” to produce high lipase breast milk. Having high lipase breast milk is very common, and it is just as nourishing. Despite its different smell and taste, as long as it has been safely handled and stored, it is entirely safe and acceptable to offer to baby.

How do I store and serve high lipase breast milk so baby accepts it?

Some babies are sensitive to the smell and taste of high lipase breast milk and may refuse it. Fortunately, there are ways to help to store and serve high lipase breast milk to increase baby’s acceptance of it. 

Some families may choose to add a couple of drops of non-alcoholic vanilla essence to high lipase milk to help cover up the taste. Research on this is limited so speak to your baby’s pediatric healthcare provider for individualized guidance and support. 

Tip: Once baby starts solids, high lipase breast milk (like all other expressed breast milk) can be mixed into solid foods, such as porridges, pancakes, and vegetable mashes.

Does the heat from cooking lower the nutritional value of breast milk? 

Yes, a little, however it is still very nourishing for baby.

What are recipe ideas for breast milk? 

In general, breast milk can be substituted 1:1 for cow’s milk and milk alternatives in recipes.

Here are some ideas:

Download the Solid Starts App for more ideas.

How do I store food cooked with breast milk?

Refrigerate or immediately freeze to offer later. If refrigerated, offer the food within a couple of days of when the breast milk was pumped. If breast milk is freshly pumped, used in cooking, then immediately frozen after, then food may be offered within a couple to a few months from the time of freezing. Avoid using previously frozen breast milk to prepare food that will be frozen for later use.

Do I have to cook with breast milk in recipes that include milk? 

No, it is also completely fine to use pasteurized cow’s milk or milk alternatives for cooking once cow’s milk and other common allergens have been safely introduced. It is a common misconception that baby can’t have food containing cow’s milk before age one.

Can I donate extra breast milk? 

Yes, donating excess breast milk helps save the lives of vulnerable infants, such as premature babies and those who are hospitalized shortly after being born. Search online for local milk banks near you.