Why Can’t You Store Breast Milk In Bottles With Nipples?

Why Can’t You Store Breast Milk in Bottles with Nipples? Breast milk is a precious commodity, but storing it in bottles with nipples can pose risks to your baby’s health and safety.

Guidelines On How To Store Breast Milk

Before we discuss why you shouldn’t store breast milk in bottles with nipples, it’s crucial to learn the appropriate breast milk storage conditions. Understanding these conditions will help you know how long to store your breast milk to retain its freshness and peak quality.

If you had a healthy full-term infant, you can store the breast milk in the following ways:

1. At room temperature (no warmer than 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit) for four hours.
2. At 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit or 0-3.9 degrees Celsius for four days in the fridge.
3. In the freezer compartment found inside the fridge for two weeks.
4. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius in a self-contained freezer connected on the side or top of the refrigerator for six months. Ensure you keep the milk in the back of the freezer, not at the door.
5. In a deep freezer with a constant temperature of -4 or -20 degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius for one year.

Remember to leave about an inch of space at the top of the storage container to allow room for expansion of the milk when it freezes.

The Dangers of Storing Breast Milk in Bottles with Nipples

Although it may seem convenient and easy to store breast milk in bottles with nipples, it’s not recommended. The general rule is that you can’t store breast milk in bottles with nipples without extra lids. Let’s explore why this is the case.

1. Contamination: Bottles with nipples alone, without an extra lid, provide a conducive environment for contamination factors. Since the teats or nipples are exposed to the atmosphere, microorganisms or dust may attach to the nipple. When your baby sucks on the nipple, these microbes may enter their bloodstream, leading to illnesses.
2. Bacterial contamination: Sometimes, bottle nipples have openings to allow for easier milk flow. Storing breast milk in bottles with nipples that have openings and no extra lids makes it easy for germs and bacteria to get into the milk. This can result in the milk becoming contaminated and unsafe for human consumption. If your child drinks contaminated milk, they may get sick.

It’s important to note that this recommendation applies not only to bottles left on the counter but also to those stored in your fridge. The refrigerator is not a sterile environment, and leaving a bottle with milk open can also contaminate it.

Breast milk should always be stored in sealed containers. Storing breast milk in unsealed containers like bottles with nipples, without an extra lid, negatively affects the milk’s quality. The milk may not appear as fresh as when stored in a sealed package. Thus, it’s not safe to feed your little one breast milk stored in bottles without a sealed lid.

How Can You Safely Store Breast Milk In Bottles With Nipples?

Sometimes you may be attached to bottles with nipples and find it hard to let them go. Or maybe you’re not ready to invest in other bottles while you already have a collection of bottles with nipples. If that’s the case, there are a few ways to safely store breast milk using bottles with nipples.

1. Use a cap: Most bottles with nipples come with a nipple lid and a cap lid that covers the nipple. If you plan to use the bottle regularly to store breast milk, add the cap on top of the nipple lid. Ensure the cap seals the bottle well to prevent any air from getting in. This additional layer of protection helps minimize the risk of contamination.

2. Purchase extra caps: If your nipple bottle didn’t come with a cap, you can buy extra caps online or at regular retailers. These caps usually have a standard size and can fit most bottles with nipples. It’s important to use bottles made of high-quality materials like glass or BPA-free plastic. Also, ensure that the bottles you use for storing breast milk are not used for anything else to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
3. Replace the nipple with a lid: If you are unable to find a suitable cap for your bottle, you can use a different lid instead. Remove the nipple and replace it with an airtight lid designed for the bottle. Once you have transferred the breast milk to the bottle, cover it with the airtight lid instead of the nipple lid and store the milk according to the recommended storage guidelines. Remember not to let the milk stay for longer than the recommended time frame to ensure its freshness and safety.

Related: Breast Milk Storage Bottles Glass

How to Store Breast Milk – Bottles or Bags

Breast milk storage bags

Breast milk storage bags are a convenient and space-saving option for storing breast milk. These specially designed bags are made to hold frozen breast milk without leaking and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Most brands even have a built-in date tracker, allowing you to easily track when the milk was expressed. Additionally, these bags can also be used to freeze homemade baby food.

When using storage bags, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some brands may require you to thaw the milk in warm water before adding it to the bag, while others recommend adding fresh milk to the bag and then freezing it. Whichever method you choose, make sure to label the bag with the date of expression and use the frozen breast milk within the recommended time frame for optimal freshness.

Motif Medical’s Milk Storage Bags are a great choice if you’re looking for a convenient and space-saving option for storing breast milk. These bags can hold up to 8 ounces of milk and feature a built-in date tracker and easy-pour spout. The bags can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and can be thawed before adding milk or frozen with fresh milk. Use within the recommended time frame for optimal freshness.

Storage bottles and cups

Another option for storing freshly expressed milk is to use baby bottles or cups. These containers can be made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Before using them, be sure to wash the cups and bottles with soapy water to maintain cleanliness.

For example, Philips AVENT Breast Milk Storage Cups are an excellent option for storing fresh breast milk. These BPA-free cups can hold up to 6 ounces of milk and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. The cups come with leak-proof lids and can be thawed before adding milk or frozen with fresh milk. Moreover, these cups are compatible with Philips AVENT breast pump parts, allowing for easy and convenient feeding. Remember to use the milk within the recommended time frame to prevent contamination and ensure optimal freshness.

How Long Can You Store Breast Milk?

To safely store expressed breast milk, use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers made of glass or plastic with tight-fitting lids. Avoid using bottles with the recycle symbol number 7, as they may contain BPA.

Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored as follows:

1. At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours.
2. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
3. In the freezer for about 6 months (best) or up to 12 months (acceptable). Although freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, it’s recommended to follow the storage times for best quality. (Arcoding to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Tips For Safely Storing Breast Milk

Here are some additional tips to ensure the safe storage of breast milk:

1. Clearly label the breast milk with the date it was expressed. This will help you keep track of the freshness of the milk and use it within the recommended time frame.
2. Avoid storing breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. This will help protect the milk from temperature changes caused by the door opening and closing frequently.
3. If you don’t think you will use freshly expressed breast milk within 4 days, it’s best to freeze it right away. Freezing helps to preserve the quality of the breast milk for a longer period.

4. When freezing breast milk, store it in small amounts to avoid wasting milk that might not be finished in one feeding. It’s recommended to store breast milk in 2 to 4 ounce portions or the amount offered at one feeding. This allows you to thaw only the amount needed, reducing waste.
5. Leave about one inch of space at the top of the storage container when freezing breast milk. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so leaving room for expansion prevents the containers from bursting.
6. If you deliver breast milk to a child care provider, make sure to clearly label the container with the child’s name. Communicate with your child care provider about any specific requirements they may have for labeling and storing breast milk.
7. When traveling, breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. Once you reach your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it according to the recommended guidelines.

Remember, breast milk is a precious resource that provides numerous benefits for your baby’s health and development. Proper storage techniques help ensure that the breast milk remains safe and retains its nutritional value.

Conclusion

Breast milk is a valuable resource that should be stored with care to maintain its freshness and safety. While it may seem convenient to store breast milk in bottles with nipples, it is not recommended due to the risk of contamination and compromised milk quality. Following the appropriate guidelines for breast milk storage is essential to provide your baby with safe and nourishing milk.

When storing breast milk, opt for sealed containers specifically designed for this purpose. If you prefer using bottles with nipples, make sure to add an extra cap or replace the nipple with a tight-fitting lid to create a secure and hygienic storage environment. Additionally, using breast milk storage bags or containers designed for this purpose can offer convenience and space-saving benefits.

By understanding the proper storage conditions, adhering to recommended time frames, and implementing safe storage practices, you can ensure that your stored breast milk remains fresh and nutritious for your baby’s consumption. Remember, the well-being of your little one is always a top priority, and proper breast milk storage plays a crucial role in maintaining their health and happiness.