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 All
equipment and storage containers should be "sterilized" before using.
Any part that will come in contact with the Expressed Breast Milk
(EBM) should be cleaned with a bottlebrush and detergent, rinsed
and placed in a large covered pot. Cover with water and boil rapidly
for 20 minutes.
"Milton" or a home steam-sterilizing unit could be used if preferred.
Once cleaned it can be stored in an unused clean plastic bag. (Freezer
bags.)
Never add warm breast milk to cold milk. Always cool expressed
milk separately before adding to previously collected, cooled milk.
The times in the table adjacent are given as a guide to help in
the safe handling of EBM. Any stored or defrosted milk that falls
outside of them should be discarded in the interest of the health
and safety of your baby.
| Breast Milk |
At room temperature |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
| Fresh EBM in a closed clean container |
6 hours (if room temperature is less than 26* C.) |
3 days at 4* C.
Store in back of refrigerator where it is coldest.
Never store in the door of the refrigerator
|
3 months in the freezer section of refrigerator.
12 months in a deep freeze at 18*C
|
| Previously frozen EBM, thawed in refrigerator. |
Up to 4 hours. |
24 hours |
Do not re-freeze |
| Thawed outside of refrigerator in warm water |
Until completion of current feed |
Can be held for 4 hours |
Do not re-freeze |
| Infant has begun feeding. |
Only for completion of feed.
Any unused milk must be discarded.
|
Discard |
Discard |
Article prepared by Akal Khalsa
Akal Khalsa is a Sydney based midwife and provides midwifery
services including: homebirths, pre-conception consultations, childbirth
preparation, nutritional advise and breastfeeding support.
For more information Contact Akal.
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