Storage Information for Breast Milk and Formula

​

Breast Milk Storage:

• Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed. Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for 4 hours (or up to 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed), but it is best to chill as soon as possible.

• To thaw breast milk from the freezer: Put the bottle or bag in the refrigerator overnight, hold it under warm running water, or set it in a container of warm water. **Remember that heating breast milk in microwaves is not safe. Once breast milk is thawed: It can be stored in a refrigerator and must be used within 24 hours

Formula Storage:

• Sterilize your baby’s bottles before the first use. Boil for 5 minutes or you can use a store bought countertop or microwavable sterilizer.  Going forward you can wash your baby’s bottles in hot soapy water or by running them through the dishwasher. 

• Unopened formula can be stored in a cool dry place until the expiration date noted on the can/bottle.

• Formula may be prepared up to 24 hours in advance if stored in the refrigerator to prevent the formation of bacteria.

• Prepared formulas must be discarded within 1 hour after serving an infant.