Expressing breastmilk

Storage of expressed breastmilk (EBM)

Look in your baby’s Personal health record (red book) for more information.

Thawing and warming of breast milk

• Frozen EBM must be warmed quickly but NOT in boiling water, as the milk will curdle.
• DO NOT leave EBM to stand at room temperature to thaw.
• Place the container under running cold water. Gradually make the water warmer until the milk becomes liquid.
• Warm the container of chilled or thawed EBM in a jug of hot water until it is body temperature.

Breast milk	Room temperature	Refrigerator	Freezer
Freshly expressed into a clean container	6–8 hours (26°C or lower)	3–5 days (4°C or lower)	2 weeks in freezer compartment inside a refrigerator 3 months in freezer if separate door 6-12 months in deep freezer
Previously frozen, thawed in a fridge	4 hours or less	24 hours	Do not refreeze
Previously frozen, thawed outside a fridge in warm water	Completion of feed	4 hours until next feed	Do not refreeze
Baby has begun feeding	Completion of feed	Discard	Discard

Caution!

1. Microwave ovens should NEVER be used to thaw or heat breastmilk. Their safety is unknown and heating is uneven.
2. EBM cannot be reheated if your baby does not finish the feed. So warm only a small amount at a time.
3. Label all breast milk containers with the date and time breastmilk was expressed. Use the oldest milk first.

In this guide:

1. Expressing and storing breastmilk
2. Steps for expressing milk by hand
3. Storage of expressed breastmilk (EBM)

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