Breast Milk Storage

Pump, Store, Repeat - Safely store your breast milk

Where

How cold

How long

What else
Countertop, table Room temperature
(up to 77°F or 25°C)		 6–8 hours Cover and keep as cool as possible; cover the container with a cool towel to keep the milk cooler.
Insulated cooler bag 5–39°F or -15–4°C 24 hours Keep ice packs in contact with milk containers at all times; limit opening cooler bag.
Refrigerator 39°F or 4°C 5 days Store milk in the back of the main body of the refrigerator.

Freezer
Freezer compartment of refrigerator 5°F or -15°C 2 weeks Store milk toward the back of the freezer, where temperature is most constant. Milk stored for longer durations in the ranges listed is safe, but there is some evidence some of the lipids in milk undergo degradation resulting in lower quality.
Freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate doors 0°F or -18°C 3–6 months
Chest or upright deep freezer -4°F or -20°C 6–12 months

Breastfeeding Helpline: 262.243.6632

Parent Helpline: 262.243.7408

Source: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (2004) Clinical Protocol #8 Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Healthy Full Term Infants, Princeton Junction, NJ, AAP and CDC endorse this protocol.