Cara Menyimpan ASI di Kulkas Agar Tetap Awet dan Kualitas Terjaga

If you are currently breastfeeding and will be returning to work or want more flexibility in breastfeeding, consider a breast pump to express breast milk. After you start using a breast pump, you must also know how to store breast milk in the refrigerator safely while maintaining its nutritional value.

Understand how to store breast milk in the refrigerator, starting from preparation, safe storage containers, storage duration, to tips on feeding breast milk to your baby.

How to Store Breast Milk in the Refrigerator to Keep it Durable and Maintain Quality

• Before pumping and storing breast milk for stock, wash your hands and all breast milk storage containers thoroughly with soap and water.
• Pump your breast milk slowly until you reach the desired amount. Carefully clean and store the pump equipment, baby bottles, and other breastfeeding supplies to protect your breast milk from bacterial or germ contamination.
• Use breast milk storage bags or bottles or food-grade containers to store expressed breast milk. Make sure the storage container is made of glass or BPA-free plastic and has a tight lid.
• Store and cool fresh breast milk in the refrigerator as soon as possible after pumping. For effective storage, try storing breast milk in small portions so that when it is given to your little one, there is no waste.
• Before storing it in the refrigerator, don't forget to label each container with the date the milk was expressed.
• Never store breast milk in disposable bottles or plastic bags not designed for breast milk storage, as this can endanger the natural properties of the breast milk for your little one.

What is the Safe Storage Duration for Breast Milk?

Once you understand the correct way to store breast milk in the refrigerator, pay attention to the storage duration to ensure its quality is maintained.

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for 4 hours. However, it is best to store breast milk in the refrigerator as soon as possible.

Breast milk can be placed at the back of the refrigerator at a temperature of 39°F or 4°C. The best time to feed refrigerated breast milk to a baby is within 4 days. However, the quality of refrigerated breast milk can be maintained for up to 8 days.

For breast milk stored in a freezer at -18°C, it can be frozen for up to 9 months. If the freezer temperature reaches -20°C, the breast milk is safe for up to 12 months.

You need to understand that freezing breast milk in a freezer keeps it safe for the long term, but you must pay attention to the recommended storage time to maintain the quality of the breast milk.

Tips for Feeding Breast Milk Stored in the Refrigerator

Always thaw the breast milk that has been stored in the refrigerator the longest first. Remember, “first in, first out” is important to apply so you use the breast milk that was stored first. This is done so that your breast milk stock does not go to waste, as the quality can decline over time.

So, how can you thaw the breast milk to be given to your little one? Here are some tips you can follow.

• To thaw breast milk from the freezer, store it in the refrigerator overnight first, or place the breast milk storage container into a bowl of warm water, or place the container under warm running water.
• Once thawed, the breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator and must be given to the baby within 24 hours. A note for you: never refreeze breast milk that has been thawed.
• Remember, never thaw or warm breast milk in a microwave because it can destroy the nutrients and antibodies in the breast milk and cause the baby to get burned while drinking it.
• Once the breast milk is thawed and ready to be consumed, serve it in a baby bottle with a nipple suitable for your little one's needs.

Best Breast Milk Storage Product from Hegen: HEGEN PCTO™ 150ML/5OZ BREAST MILK STORAGE PPSU

"Hegen is not only a milk bottle but a solution"
It's a revolutionary milk bottle which you'll love...

Hegen bottles are multifunctional because they can be used for breast milk storage in the refrigerator, as baby bottles, or even as food storage such as for weaning food containers.

By simply converting the bottle cap with an adapter, you can use this Hegen Milk Bottle directly as a breast pump bottle!

Practical! It can be a pump bottle and be ready for your little one to drink from immediately.

Hegen Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) is internationally certified by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), and its material is proven to be very strong and temperature-resistant. PPSU combines the advantages of plastic and glass materials; it is BPA-free and very light for the baby to hold.

Uniquely, Hegen bottles are not transparent like typical bottles. Due to the PPSU material formula, Hegen bottles have a natural amber color (golden orange) and do not contain artificial coloring.

Now you know the tips for storing breast milk in the refrigerator so that it stays durable and maintains its quality for your little one's nutrition. Discover the collection of multifunctional Hegen Bottles and other breastfeeding supplies that you can view on the official Hegen Indonesia website. Grab yours now!

References

1. Healthychildren.org by American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright 2016)
2. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/freezing-and-food-safety/CT_Index