Breast milk is truly a life elixir for little ones!
It protects them from infections and illnesses. Did you know that colostrum, the first milk produced by the body after childbirth, or even at the end of pregnancy, contains a very high concentration of antibodies, along with other essential nutrients to strengthen your newborn's immune defenses?
Preserving this precious liquid is therefore a completely rational idea, considering all its benefits. And for that, what could be better than freezing?
But what exactly are the benefits of this process when it comes to breast milk? 🤨 And above all, how much should you freeze to make sure your baby has enough at every feeding?
Let's first look at the value of freezing your milk and then explore together how many doses of breast milk you can store in your freezer over the months.
CONTENTS
4 good reasons to freeze your breast milk!
- Handle letdowns occurring outside regular feeding times
- Store extra expressed milk if you’re pumping
- Offer breast milk to baby without breastfeeding directly (thanks, bottle!)
- Allow others to feed breast milk to your baby, even when you're away!
What you need to know before freezing your breast milk
How much breast milk should you freeze?
- 50 to 90 ml per container in the second month only
- 150 ml in the following months, depending on your production
- 200 ml past 3-4 months, depending on your production
What should you freeze breast milk in?
How long can you safely store frozen breast milk?
➔ In a refrigerator-type freezer (with drawers)
4 good reasons to freeze your breast milk!
Breast milk helps prevent infections—respiratory, gastrointestinal, and many other ailments. It acts like a natural armor for baby, protecting them from external pathogens.
It also supports healthy development thanks to the tailored proteins, fats, and carbohydrates it contains. Finally, it is generally easier to digest than infant formula, which reduces the risk of colic and reflux.
Lastly, let’s not forget that breast milk is environmentally friendly! It is naturally produced by the mother’s body and does not require manufacturing, transportation, or packaging, thus reducing its environmental impact… 🚚
Building a supply of this magic milk by freezing it also allows you to:
Handle letdowns occurring outside regular feeding times
For some women, letdowns can be painful and occur several times a day, outside of baby’s usual feeding schedule.
If your child is sleeping or not hungry and you feel a letdown approaching, it can be uncomfortable and you may feel the need to express your milk for comfort (or to prevent engorgement in more extreme situations).
Store extra expressed milk if you’re pumping
You can store expressed milk that baby doesn’t drink, helping you build a supply. This not only prevents waste but also ensures breast milk is always available! (Returning to work, time away, etc.).
Some women tend to produce abundantly.
If you pump 100 ml per breast, but baby only drinks 150 ml, make sure to freeze the remaining 50 ml!
That way, you can top up a bottle of fresh milk with leftover frozen milk on a day when your child has a big appetite. (However, if baby does not finish their bottle, you cannot refreeze the leftover milk since some of the contents will be thawed milk.)
Related topic: Mixed feeding—how to restart your milk production?
Offer breast milk to baby without breastfeeding directly (thanks, bottle!)
Freezing your breast milk lets you feed your child without using formula, by giving the bottle instead of breastfeeding. Note that this may reduce your milk production, since lactation will no longer be stimulated, unless you use a breast pump to maintain it.
Pumping is an excellent solution for women who don't wish to breastfeed directly! 🍼
Related article: Weaning—how to move from breastfeeding to bottle feeding?
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Did you know?
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Allow others to feed breast milk to your baby, even when you're away!
Building up a stash of breast milk is also helpful for moms planning to return to work or whose maternity leave is ending. This way, you can be sure your baby has enough to drink and that someone else can give them their meal even when you’re not there, thanks to a bottle.
See also: 7 gentle tips for helping a breastfed baby accept a bottle
Good to know…
It’s essential to write the date of each expression on the container before placing it in the freezer, so you can be sure to stay within the storage limits.
What you need to know before freezing your breast milk
We recommend freezing small amounts of milk and avoiding combining multiple pumping sessions in the same container, even though this isn't risky in itself. That way, it’s much easier to date the container if it only has milk from the same day.
Note that you can never refreeze thawed milk and that freezing too large an amount increases the chances it won’t all be used (and will therefore be wasted).
Still, be sure to freeze and then thaw portions large enough to satisfy your child. If your baby cries at the end of a meal and seems to look for the nipple, it probably means their tummy needs a little more!
In summary, it is recommended to store your milk in small quantities, ideally less than 4 oz (120 ml), which is equivalent to the size of a baby bottle. This approach helps reduce waste by thawing just the amount needed.
How much breast milk should you freeze?
There are no universal “standards” for women. 😉 Your milk supply and maternity journey shouldn’t be compared to your colleague’s, neighbor’s, sister’s, or even your mother’s!
However, here are some ideas of amounts you might be able to freeze if you decide to exclusively pump:
- 50 to 90 ml per container in the second month only
During the first few weeks, it is recommended not to pump your milk since pumping isn’t as effective as breastfeeding for establishing milk supply. So of course, you won’t be able to freeze it then.
But starting in the 2nd month, you can begin pumping small portions to better manage your supply while minimizing potential waste. This amount is ideal for meeting your little one’s needs. You might produce more, although early on, milk tends to be a richer, fattier milk, less plentiful than in later weeks.
- 150 ml in the following months, depending on your production
As your baby grows and your milk production adjusts, you can increase the amount you freeze. A portion of 5 oz (150 ml) is often enough for most baby meals. If you’re breastfeeding, try to pump after a feeding. That way, baby gets their fill, and you harvest what's left—not the other way around. 😉
- 200 ml past 3-4 months, depending on your production
When your baby reaches 3 to 4 months and older, you might consider storing portions of 200 ml (about 6.75 oz), depending on your supply (about 3.4 oz—100 ml per breast). This quantity is usually suitable to satisfy your baby’s growing appetite. If not, you can mix some formula with breast milk to increase the amount…
What should you freeze breast milk in?
Breast milk can be frozen either in a glass container, preferably tinted, in specially designed breast milk freezer bags that are BPA-free, or even in a medical-grade silicone bottle transformed into a small airtight storage jar with its cap.
The main thing is to guarantee the container is airtight for optimal storage.
How long can you safely store frozen breast milk?
Did you know the storage duration of frozen breast milk depends largely on the type of freezer you use? Here are specific guidelines depending on your equipment:
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In a freezer compartment
Breast milk can be stored up to 3 months in a freezer compartment. It’s important to regularly check that the freezer keeps a constant temperature of 0°F (-18°C) to ensure the milk is safe.
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In a refrigerator-type freezer (with drawers)
In freezers built into refrigerators, breast milk can be stored up to 4, or even 6 months. These freezers usually reach lower temperatures than standalone freezer compartments, which can slightly increase storage time.
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In a chest freezer
Chest freezers provide the maximum storage time, up to 12 months, as long as the temperature stays at -4°F (-20°C) or lower.
These recommendations are based on general guidelines. If you have specific concerns about breast milk storage, especially in cases of prematurity or health problems for your baby, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for tailored advice.
In summary
You’re now a breast milk freezing pro! Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your motherhood journey, because every drop of milk counts… Freezing your milk can help you handle unexpected situations (last-minute outings, wanting to hand off feeding, painful letdowns, mixed feeding, etc.). Happy freezing! 🧊
→ And now, become an expert at thawing breast milk!
