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Breast milk bags are made of thick plastic or medical-grade nylon and are used to store breast milk for later use. They take up less space than containers or bottles and can be left at room temperature for up to six hours. They should be thawed by running warm water over them and gently shaken before use.
Women who breastfeed their babies often pump their breast milk so it can be used to feed babies when they are not available to breastfeed. Breast milk is placed in a sterile breast milk bag and then frozen or refrigerated for later use. These breastmilk storage bags are different from bags sold for use as bottle holders and are not interchangeable.
Breast milk bags are made of very thick plastic or medical grade nylon. Some bags can be attached directly to the breast pump, while others are intended for storage only. Most breastmilk bags have measurements pre-marked on the outside of the bag and a place to note the date you expressed or pumped your milk. Some brands have a built-in handle and spout to make it easier to transfer milk into a bottle. The bags are generally equipped with a drawstring or double zip closure.
One benefit of storing breast milk in bags over plastic containers or glass bottles is that breast milk bags take up much less space. Once filled, they can be stacked and stored in the freezer or refrigerator. The best bags for storing expressed breastmilk resist punctures and leaks, whether the milk is frozen or in liquid form.
To avoid waste, two to four ounces (about 56 to 113 g) of breast milk should be stored in each bag. All air must be removed from the bag before it is sealed, especially if the bag will be frozen. If it will be frozen, you will need to leave some space at the top of the bag, as the breast milk will expand as it freezes.
Thick breast milk pouches protect milk from degradation and loss of its beneficial components. The antibacterial nature of breast milk allows storage pouches to be left on the counter at room temperature for four to six hours without ill effects. The bags can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to eight days after unpacking. If breastmilk pouches are frozen and stored in a freezer, the breastmilk will last about six months. In a standalone freezer, milk will last three to four months, or if stored in the freezer compartment inside a refrigerator, breast milk will keep safely for up to two weeks.
Milk stored in breast milk freezer bags can be thawed by simply running warm water over the milk bag. If the bag has been stored flat, it will defrost very quickly. Breastmilk pouches should not be defrosted in the microwave or on the stove. Like other non-homogenized milk, breast milk will separate, so it should be gently shaken to mix before use.
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