There are a number of negative and misconceptions about breast milk storage in the Indian subcontinent. But times have changed now. Newborn mothers can now compare their breast milk to gold. Because, at this time, it is more valuable than many things in her life now.
The number of working women in the world is constantly increasing. Men as well as women are working in the same rhythm outside the house. Not getting enough time for care during pregnancy and after childbirth. However, women have to take more care of their family than their husbands due to their motherhood.
So if you want to handle the workplace and the child together, then breast milk storage is a good solution for you. After the first year of childbirth, women can save breast milk if they want. Those women whose breasts produce a lot of milk, work outside or want to go out for a walk; can store milk by pumping.
How to store breast milk?
You need to know how to store breast milk, what happens to the storage temperature and whether the milk is freshly pumped or frozen beforehand. We compiled these guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic and the Department of Women’s Health.
This ensures that storing breast milk in this way will not harm the bacteria and will not make your baby sick. It is also important to make sure that you are able to retain the amount of nutrients in your milk after storing it.
Fresh milk can actually stay out at home temperature for a while after pumping the breasts. If you plan to use it or store it soon keep it in the fridge for long time storage.
If you are pumping for a newborn baby then first of all it is good for you. Studies show that pumping for preterm infants helps the mother’s breasts produce new milk. As a result it can be incredibly beneficial for your baby’s growth and development.
- Test it before using your pump. Find out if there is any damaged or dirty part of the pumping device. Because, these can contaminate your milk.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or hand wash. Then dry both hands.
- Rinse the pump thoroughly with lukewarm water. Then the pump will be dried in a little air and ready for pumping work.
- Now connect the pump well to the breast and start pumping. However, before pumping, make sure that the breasts are full. Means, there is enough milk in the breast.
In this way, working women can feed their baby for 12 hours even if they are not at home. You can store breast milk in a bottle or pan by squeezing it out by hand. This milk stays good for up to 12 hours if kept in the fridge. Besides, if you don’t keep it in the fridge, it will be good for up to 3 hours.
What containers can I use to store breast milk?
There may be questions about what kind of container to store the collected milk. The issue of milk preservation after breast pumping is quite important. Many people prefer to store this milk in a plastic bottle. However, according to experts, it is better not to keep breast milk in a plastic bottle. So try to store this milk in a glass bottle. However, the bottle in which you will store this milk, first wash it well with hot water and clean it.
Where to keep stored breast milk?
Milk has been collected, also kept in containers; now how to save breast milk so that there is no harm and the baby can drink it properly? As mentioned earlier, milk can be used for up to 12 hours if stored in the fridge after collection and up to 3 hours if stored normally.
You can breastfeed the baby at any time during this period. But yes; Care must be taken to ensure that the milk is properly covered. When keeping breast milk in the fridge, make sure that the temperature is 4 degrees centigrade.
Conclusion
With adequate practice, you can become a professional in this milk collection thing. As a result, if you are employed, you will not have to worry about breastfeeding your baby. Besides, if you want, you can now feed your baby in a public place.
Photo by Healthline
