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These guidelines are for hospitalized infants.
Human milk storage guidelines for home use are more liberal. The
Center for Disease Control and OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration) consider human milk to be food, not a body
fluid. Universal precautions are not required. Use of gloves is
optional and a matter of individual preference.
Storage/Usage
• |
Each infant should have a separate storage
bin with his/her name on the front. |
• |
Human milk may be stored in sterile glass,
FDA food grade virgin plastic polycarbonate or polypropylene
containers with a solid cap that will provide an airtight seal. |
• |
Each container should have the infant's
name with date and time of expression. |
• |
Milk may be stored in a hospital
refrigerator that is designated for human milk and maintained
at 2°C (35°F) to 4°C (40°F) for 48 hours.
|
• |
Freeze milk if it will not be used
within 48 hours or send home for mother to freeze in home freezer.
|
• |
Milk may be stored in a hospital
freezer that is designated for human milk and maintained at
-20°C (-4°F) to -18°C ( 0°F) for 3 months (from
expression date). |
• |
Frozen colostrum/milk that is defrosted
in the refrigerator (whether in hospital or coming
in from home) should be used within 24 hours after milk
is completely thawed. The storage container should be marked
and timed. |
• |
It is normal to see layers in the
container because fat separates when human milk sits undisturbed.
Gently swirl container before using. Milk that separates is
not spoiled. |
• |
Excessive heat should not
be used to thaw or warm milk. Freshly pumped milk temperature
is about room temperature, so thaw or warm milk by placing the
container of milk in a cup or bowl using cool or lukewarm water
until milk is room temperature. |
• |
Never microwave human milk.
There is potential for hot spots and IgA levels are reduced. |
• |
Human milk may not be placed
back into the refrigerator or refrozen after it has been warmed
or defrosted by warming. |
• |
Milk taken out of the refrigerator/freezer
and warmed should be used in approximately 1 hour if in contact
with infant’s mouth. |
• |
Human milk that is freshly pumped
at hospital should be used within 1 hour or stored in refrigerator
or freezer. |
Other Information:
• |
If possible use human milk in the order
in which it was pumped, however this rule does not need to be
rigid. Colostrum should be given as the first oral/NG feeding
regardless of infant’s age. Milk that the mother is currently
pumping is given after the colostrum. |
• |
If the parent(s) are able to bring milk
in daily, it is recommended that only 24-48 hours of supply
be kept at the hospital. |
• |
If possible, do
not freeze freshly pumped milk at home. Transport the milk “cool”
from home refrigerator to the hospital. If frozen, the frozen
state should be maintained during transport. |
Feeding Management:
• |
If milk in storage container is more than
infant needs for the feeding, gently swirl the container and
pour off needed amount. Replace container to infant’s
supply in refrigerator. Use “next” container for
next feeding. Extra milk may be sent home for home storage. |
• |
If milk in storage container is less than
infant needs for the feeding, pumped milk may be added from
another container from the infant’s supply. |
• |
If the human milk supply in refrigerator
and/or freezer is below infant’s need for the feeding,
feed all the human milk first, and then feed
formula to desired or needed amount. This method reduces the
possibility of having to discard any human milk. |
• |
With continuous feedings, the syringe should
be changed at least every 4 hours. |
• |
If using a syringe pump, it should be placed
below the isolette and oriented with the tip pointing upward
at a 25 to 40 degree angle so that fat loss will be minimized. |
• |
“Fortified”
human milk should not be premixed if possible. If premixed and
stored, use within 24 hours. The container should be marked
and timed. |
( Call ____________________ for any
questions or unusual situation.)
01/04 Written by: Martha Kautz IBCLC and reviewed
by the PA Breastfeeding State Coalition. These are suggested guidelines,
feel free to modify for your institution. The Coalition is not responsible
for any changes to this document as printed.
References
Lawrence, RA Milk Banking: The influence of storage
procedures and subsequent processing on immunologic components of
human milk. Adv Nutr Res 2001; 10:3890-404
Lemons, PK: Breast milk and the hospitalized
infant: guideline for practice. Neonatal Network Oct 2001, Vol 20;
47-52
Tully, MR: Recommendation for handling of mother’s
own milk. Journal of Human Lactation, May 2000, 16 (2):149-51
Arnold, L: Recommendations for Collection, Storage
and Handling of a Mother’s Milk for Her Own Infant in the
Hospital Setting. Third Edition, The Human Milk Banking Association
of North America, Inc., 1999
Wessel, JJ: Feeding methodologies. Nutritional
Care for High Risk Newborns. 1994; 206-219
OSHA: Standard number 1910.1030; 12/14/1992
USDA Food Safety Inspection Services: The National
Institutes of Health; 2003
FDA Food Code: 2001; 3-202.11 Temperature
FDA: Points to Consider for the Use of Recycleds
Plastics in Food Packaging: Chemistry Considerations. Aug, 2000
US Department of Health and Human Services: Requirements
of Laws and Regulations. Publication 2 Blue Book, Oct 2002
US Department of Health: www.pacode.com; chapter
28
US Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for
Food Storage, 2003
American Dietetic Association Guidelines: Food
storage, 2002
Best
Practices for Breastfeeding
Breastmilk Storage Guidelines
Fresh
Donor Breastmilk Policy & Guidelines
Human Milk Guidelines for
the NICU/Nursery |
Guidelines