There are different guidelines when storing milk intended for a baby that is hospitalized or has a weakened immune system.

A Deeper Look:

The best information on how to store milk pumped for a baby that is hospitalized or has a weakened immune system is from your hospital and you should be able to ask the nursing staff there for guidance.  You should always follow the advice of your healthcare professional.  However, if you are curious what that advice may look like—likely stricter hygiene and shortened storage times—or are looking for an overview to help you prepare questions, see below.

Wash Your Hands!

Storing milk safely for a baby, no matter the circumstances, begins before you even pump the milk you intend to store.  You should always begin your pump session by making sure your your hands and any surfaces that will come into contact with milk or pump parts are clean.  

Clean Pump Parts and Baby Bottles!

You should also make sure that your pump parts, collection containers, and baby bottles have been completely disassembled and washed in hot soapy water (though many pump manufacturers do not intend for the user to wash the tubing, so verify with your pump manufacturer before doing so).  

For more information on cleaning your breast pump parts, click here.

Sterilize Everything!

Additionally, the CDC recommends sterilizing your pump parts, collection containers, and bottles once a day if your baby was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system.  You can sterilize your pump parts and collection containers by boiling them in water or by using a steam container or bag in the microwave, a machine intended for sterilization, or a dishwasher with a sanitizing setting.  Although the FDA has stated that microwave sterilizers do not meet the FDA definition of sterilization, it acknowledges that the “sterilizers” still sanitize the parts, “which is sufficient for processing between uses for a single user.”  Before you determine what method of sterilization to use, it’s always best to check your specific pump part manufacturer for directions on how to safely sanitize your pump parts.  You should also sanitize your bottle brushes and wash basin!

If you choose to boil your pump parts, place all items for sterilization in a pot and cover with water, bring the water to a boil and boil the items for 5 minutes before removing them with clean tongs. 

Assemble Pump Parts and Check for Wear!

When your pump parts are sterilized and dry, they can be assembled for use.  As you assemble them, make sure you check them for mold or for signs of wear and discard pieces that show signs of either.  

For more information on when to replace pump parts, click here.
For more information on how to clean pump parts, click here. 

Store and Label!

When you have finished pumping, you should store the fresh milk in sterile containers or syringes.  Your baby’s nursing staff may have a preference in the type of container and be able provide you with guidance as to how much milk to store in one container or syringe.  Each container or syringe should be labeled with your baby’s name and the time and date of expression and any medicines or substances you were exposed to since the previous pumping session.  You can combine milk from each breast into one container, so long as the milk was pumped during the same pump session.

(Table detailing breast milk storage guidelines)

When you are storing in the fridge or freezer, leave about an inch of room from the top to allow for expansion as the milk freezes.  The milk should be placed in the back of the fridge or freezer where the temperature is consistent.  It is not recommend to use a freezer compartment within a fridge.  All milk should be transported in an insulated cooler with ice or a frozen gel ice pack.  If you are traveling long distances, it may be suggested that you use dry ice.  However, refrigerated milk has more live cells than frozen milk  (ex. freezing destroys the white blood cells), so it is best to provide fresh milk when possible.

The Importance of Breast Milk for Premature Babies!

According to the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, the breast milk of a mama of a premature baby is “specially designed for her own baby” and “has higher concentrations of protein, long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids, and most immune factors.”  Even the colostrum has very highly concentrated amounts of immune factors!  These factors can protect your baby, decrease inflammation, and stimulate your baby’s own immune system to develop more completely.  In contrast, there are no immune factors in pre-term formulas and fortifiers.  For more information on this topic, I suggest reading the section on the premature baby in the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers.

The EP&Me Take:

If you’re reading this post because you have a baby that is hospitalized or has a weakened immune system, my heart goes out to you.  Being a new mama (even if you already have older children!) is hard enough without piling additional worry on top of things.  If your current situation has required you to make the decision to EP, you’ve made a bold, brave, beautiful decision for your baby.  May you have a community to support you at this time.  I wish you much love, many snuggles, and a bright future with your little one.