Breast milk is an important source of nutrition for infants, and expressing and storing it can make feeding more convenient for mothers who are away from their babies or unable to breastfeed directly at every feed. However, expressed milk needs to be handled carefully because poor hygiene, unsuitable storage conditions or incorrect reheating can affect its safety and quality. Gynaecologist Dr Vandana Singh explains that cleanliness should be the starting point whenever a parent expresses, stores or prepares breast milk for feeding.

Hands should be washed thoroughly before handling expressed milk, while breast-pump components and containers should be cleaned appropriately. Parents should also use clean, food-safe containers specifically suited for storing breast milk. Once expressed, breast milk should be stored according to the temperature and storage facility available. Freshly expressed milk can be kept at room temperature only under appropriate conditions, while refrigeration provides a safer option when the milk is not going to be used immediately.

For longer-term storage, parents may use a freezer. Storage conditions and recommended time limits can vary depending on factors such as room temperature, refrigerator temperature and whether the milk has previously been frozen. Labelling containers can also make breast milk management easier. Parents can note the date and time the milk was expressed and organise stored milk so that older portions are used first. Milk should be stored in appropriate quantities rather than unnecessarily large portions, which can help reduce wastage if the baby does not finish a feed.

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When frozen breast milk is needed, it should be thawed safely rather than being exposed to excessive heat. Parents can thaw frozen milk gradually in the refrigerator or use a suitable method recommended for breast milk. Once thawed, it should be handled according to established breast milk safety guidance. Repeatedly freezing and thawing the same portion should be avoided because it can compromise safe handling. Reheating also requires care. Breast milk should not be heated directly over a stove or placed in a microwave, as uneven heating can create dangerously hot areas that may burn an infant.

A safer approach is to warm the milk gently using a container of warm water or another recommended method. Parents should check the temperature before feeding the baby rather than relying on the temperature of the storage container. It is also important to remember that breast milk can naturally separate during storage, with fat rising to the top. Parents do not need to assume that separation means the milk has spoiled. Instead, the container can be gently swirled to mix the milk before feeding. Vigorous shaking is generally unnecessary. Parents should also pay attention to signs that stored milk may no longer be suitable for use.

If milk has been left outside recommended storage conditions, has been handled improperly or shows unusual spoilage, it is safer not to feed it to the baby. When there is uncertainty about storage duration or handling, parents can seek advice from a paediatrician, lactation consultant or other qualified healthcare professional. Safe breast milk storage ultimately depends on consistent hygiene, appropriate containers, suitable temperatures and careful thawing and warming practices. For parents who pump regularly, establishing a simple routine for cleaning equipment, labelling milk and rotating stored portions can make the process easier while helping ensure that expressed milk is handled safely from pumping through to feeding.

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