In fact, some mothers, especially women who are still working, are accustomed to expressing breast milk so that their babies can still eat even when they are not at home. If you do, don't forget to make sure the freshness of the expressed milk so that the child's health is not disturbed after consuming it. Want to know how? Come on, read more information in this article!
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Method 1 of 2: Checking Breast Milk Freshness
Step 1. No need to worry about breast milk changing color and texture
Basically, it's natural for the color and texture of breast milk to change, and most of these conditions actually indicate a change in the needs of the child's dietary pattern. That is why, the color and texture of breast milk cannot be used as a benchmark to measure its freshness.
- The color of breast milk may change as it is stored or even when breast milk is given directly to the child. Occasionally, your breast milk may appear bluish, greenish, yellowish, or even brown in color, which is perfectly normal.
- In addition, the levels of liquid milk with thick cream in breast milk are also commonly separated. This condition is not dangerous. Most importantly, just stir the breast milk so that the two are mixed again before giving it to the child.
Step 2. Be careful with breast milk that has been stored for three days or more
In general, expressed breast milk can last for a much longer time, but of course the specific age of breast milk will depend on the storage method and process used. To prevent stale breast milk, after being stored for three days in the refrigerator, try to smell the aroma.
- With the same consideration, also smell the aroma of breast milk that has been left out of the refrigerator for three hours or more.
- In fact, breast milk can be left at room temperature for three to six hours, depending on how cool the temperature is in the room. Meanwhile, if breast milk is stored in an airtight refrigerator, it shouldn't change its quality for 24 hours.
Step 3. Identify the presence or absence of a sour smell emanating from the breast milk
In fact, sour milk will give off a pungent aroma as stale as cow's milk, and this is the only indicator that guarantees that the milk has gone stale.
Step 4. No need to worry about a metallic or soapy smell emanating from your breast milk
Some women will notice that over time, a soapy or metallic smell will emerge from the expressed breast milk they have stored. Do not worry! This change in smell doesn't happen because the breast milk has gone stale, and most babies don't mind continuing to drink it.
If your child refuses, try heating the breast milk to disguise the smell
Method 2 of 2: Preventing Stale Expressed Breast Milk
Step 1. Place the container of expressed breast milk in the back of the refrigerator
Do not place a container of breast milk near the refrigerator door to prevent it from being exposed to fluctuating or constantly changing temperatures. Instead, store a container of breast milk in the back of the refrigerator at a more stable temperature so that the quality doesn't change easily.
Step 2. Store breast milk in an airtight container
In particular, glass jars, sealed bottles, or special milk bags are the best storage media. It's best to use a plastic bag made of a stronger material, such as one made of polypropylene or polybutylene, rather than a more flexible material such as polyethylene.
- Make sure the container is also tightly closed before placing it in the refrigerator, so that the aroma of other ingredients in the refrigerator is not absorbed into the breast milk.
- If you want, you can also put a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to help absorb the aromas of other foodstuffs, and prevent them from contaminating the smell and taste of your breast milk.
Step 3. Label the breast milk container
Write the date of expressing the milk on the surface of the container to ensure that the milk is given to the child in the order in which it was stored. Thus, breast milk will not go stale because it is stored for too long. If you wish, you can label individual containers, or combine bags of breast milk expressed in the same week or month in a container and then label the containers.
Step 4. Freeze the breast milk
If breast milk will not be given to the child within the next five to eight days, do not forget to freeze it. The trick, simply pour the breast milk into an airtight container, then put the container at the very back of the freezer. When going to use, thaw breast milk and immediately give it to the child within 24 hours after thawing.
- Basically, breast milk can last from three months to a year in the freezer, although the exact time depends on how often the freezer is opened.
- Do not thaw frozen breast milk in the microwave, nor do you boil it. Instead, simply soak or drain a container of breast milk in warm water.
- When breast milk is frozen, it's natural for the milk and cream to separate. To put it back together, the milk is enough to be stirred slowly before being given to the child.
Step 5. Heat breast milk that has a soapy taste or aroma, if the child is reluctant to consume it
If your breast milk smells or tastes like soap and makes your child reluctant to eat it, try heating it. The trick, simply heat the breast milk until it reaches a temperature of about 82 degrees Celsius. At that temperature, the milk shouldn't be boiling, but you can see a few small bubbles appear on the surface. Once the breast milk is hot, immediately refrigerate and store it.
