Breast-milk and preservation methods

Breastmilk and how to preserve itDid you know that breastmilk can be stored frozen or refrigerated? Preserving breastmilk and using it when needed has many benefits for moms. Breastfeeding moms may be interested in preserving breastmilk for when they get sick or when they want to return to work. Therefore, this time we have summarized the storage method, storage period, and precautions when using breast milk.Breastfeeding helps momsEven during the milking season, there are times when you have to leave your baby with someone. You may have to return to work early after giving birth, or your mom or baby may be hospitalized. In such a case, if you use breastmilk stored frozen or refrigerated, you can give your baby the breastmilk of mom even if you aren't there.If you squeeze the milk and store it, even dads will be able to feed the child. It is not uncommon for babies who are breastfed completely to not drink milk, but to drink preserved milk. Breastfeeding isn't just for moms, but when moms are sick or want to take a break, dads can do it, which may make moms feel a little easier during the difficult milking season. Let's take a closer look at how to store breast milk, how to drink the stored milk, and how long it should be stored.Freezing method of breast milkFreezing is recommended when you have more milk than your baby drinks. The feature of frozen storage is that it can be stored for a long period of about 3 months. The freezer pack, which is convenient for freezing breast milk, is designed so that you do not touch the inside of the pack with your fingers when you thaw the milk and transfer it to a baby bottle, so you can use it with confidence in terms of hygiene. If you put too much milk in the pack, it may swell and break when frozen, so it is important to put up to about three-quarters of the pack. When storing in the freezer, it is important to lay it flat without standing.How to drink when stored frozenThaw in the refrigerator the day before giving the frozen breast milk. You may thaw it under running water. Just before giving it a drink, warm it with lukewarm water similar to human skin. Thawing in boiling water or a microwave can result in the loss of immune substances such as vitamins and minerals in breast milk, which can alter the properties of breast milk. Also, the microwave may not evenly warm the milk, which can cause burns to your baby. Be careful not to use a microwave to thaw breast milk. If you give your baby the thawed milk and they can't drink it  all, don't re-thaw it and dispose of it for hygiene reasons.How to refrigerate breast milkBreast milk can be stored refrigerated in a home refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Unused breast milk can be refrigerated on the day of milking. Refrigerated storage is suitable for short-term storage. We recommend that you attach a baby bottle cap for refrigerated storage. Since the refrigerator for home use is frequently opened and closed, if it is stored on the front side, the high temperature outside will come into contact with it each time it is opened and closed, which may change the composition of breast milk. Try to store it in the back of the refrigerator as much as possible.How to drink when refrigeratedAfter removing it from the refrigerator, warm it with lukewarm water of about 37 degrees Celsius. If you remove the milk from the refrigerator, the fat may be separated, but since the water and fat are separated, there is no problem with the separation itself, so shake lightly or stir gently before drinking. Let's do it.Storage period of refrigerated breast milkThe guideline for storing breast milk in a home freezer or refrigerator is as follows.Freeze storage: 2 weeks to 1 monthRefrigerated storage: about 24 hoursHowever, breast milk is made up of immunity and components that are tailored to the baby's growth stage. Even if the milk is stored frozen, it is recommended that you drink it within a week after milking. As a general rule, thawed breast milk should be stored in the refrigerator and used up within 24 hours. If more than 24 hours have passed since the milk was refrigerated or thawed, never give it to your baby and throw it away. Also, once thawed milk cannot be re-frozen. Even if the baby puts his mouth in the mouth once, germs may grow, so if there is a surplus, just throw it away.It's important to know the correct way to store breast milkFrozen storage lasts a long time, and refrigerated storage has the advantage of being able to be given to babies immediately without spending time. Since the shelf life varies between frozen storage and refrigerated storage, if you know the correct storage method and follow the storage period, the immune substances and ingredients will hardly change. If you use boiling water or a microwave oven just because it is convenient for warming breast milk, immune substances such as vitamins and minerals contained in breast milk may be lost and change the properties of breast milk, or your baby may be burned. In this case, it is important to first flush with running water or wait for it to thaw in the refrigerator. Know the correct way to store breast milk and use it for parenting.