What to Know About Storing Breast Milk in the Freezer
Freezing your breast milk takes on quite a similar route to placing it in the refrigerator. After expressing milk, placing these directly in milk storage bags work best. Choosing this option will give you enough freezer space to store more milk. It’s best to freeze the milk in smaller amounts that correspond to your baby’s feedings so that you won’t have to waste breast milk when it’s time to thaw these out.
Anywhere from two to four ounces, or around 60 milliliters, should be a good portion size. Also, be sure to leave an inch or so of space in the container as milk tends to expand as it freezes. Avoid storing breast milk in the freezer doors or at the front from the freezer, as well as away from the walls from self-defrosting freezers. Keeping it in the back ensures consistent and even temperatures even when the freezer door is opened.
The optimal freezing temperature should be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or at least -18 degrees Celsius. Freshly expressed breast milk that is immediately frozen can be kept anywhere from six to 12 months in the freezer. However, consuming it by the sixth month is best.