Containers and bags for storing expressed milk

Types of storage containers

There are such containers for storing milk:

Packages

• Features: they have a convenient format, the bag has a measuring scale, and can be frozen.
• Advantages: they take up little space in the freezer, it is convenient to take out and heat, for example, in a warmer.
• Flaws: They are quite expensive and reuse is not recommended.

Containers

• Peculiarities. Convenient storage of expressed milk. We use environmentally friendly and safe materials that do not impair the properties of breast milk.
• Advantages: can be used repeatedly, must first be washed and sterilized, dense, do not crack.
• Flaws: are more expensive than milk storage bags. If the lid is not closed tightly, the contents may spill out and take up a lot of space in the freezer.
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Storage containers

From glass

Glass storage containers are considered the most expensive. The high cost is due to their high quality.

In addition to the cost, they have some other disadvantages:

• Used only for short-term storage of milk.
• Requires sterilization before each use.
• Some milk fat remains on the walls of glass containers, which reduces the nutritional value of milk.
• They require careful handling so as not to break.

In addition to quality, jars have some other advantages:

• Withstands high and low temperatures.
• Easy and quick to clean.
• Do not turn yellow from long-term use.
• They do not emit harmful substances.

The cost of plastic containers is much lower than glass.

Made of polycarbonate (marked “O” or “Other”)

Advantages:

• Withstand temperature changes (do not deform or form cracks).

Milk in the refrigerator

Flaws:

• Low-quality polycarbonate can emit toxic substances; it is necessary to track the certificate.
• Transparent walls allow light to pass through, which leads to rapid breakdown of nutrients.

Made from polypropylene

If you choose between food-grade plastic utensils, it is better to choose polypropylene ones (marked “PP”).

Advantages:

• They have very high quality and safest material.
• Can withstand any temperature, up to +140 degrees.
• They do not emit toxic substances.
• Do not affect the quality and taste of milk.

Polypropylene bottles for storing and freezing breast milk

Minuses:

• Short service life;
• When in contact with sugar, fats and alcohol, they can release toxic substances (formaldehyde, phenol).

Mostly you need to buy milk containers made of special plastic - cloudy and quite soft. It doesn’t look so attractive, but it definitely won’t harm the child’s health. It is better to use such dishes 4-5 times if cracks or scratches do not appear on the inside.

If there is no special packaging or there is nowhere to buy it, then it is possible to store it not in a special container. The main thing is that it does not contain bisphenol A (BPA, 3, 7). This element in the composition of the container causes disruption of the endocrine system. Breast milk should not be stored in formula inserts because they will leak and destroy the components of breast milk. It is important to write on the container what date the milk was expressed. The container with milk must be tightly closed.

How to properly freeze and thaw breast milk

To freeze breast milk, it must first be expressed with a sterile breast pump, and the breasts must first be washed. New bags and containers are sterile in advance. When reusing, the container must be sterilized.

After the milk has been poured into containers, the freeze date must be marked on the bag or container.

You cannot defrost breast milk in the microwave! For these purposes, a refrigerator is used, where it is better to first place the container, at room temperature, in a special bottle warmer.

Philips products - Avent

Philips Avent products have long won the recognition of parents all over the world. The brand appeared on the world market in 1984. In our country, products for mothers and babies have appeared since the early 2000s. The company's products are very diverse: these include pacifiers, bottles, breast pumps, air purifiers, baby monitors, dishes, baby bath accessories, equipment for sterilizing and heating food and, of course, avent breast milk storage containers. All products are of high quality, stylish design and easy to use.

How to choose

The main parameters to consider when choosing containers and packages:

1. Container materials.
2. Container tightness.
3. Duration of milk storage.
4. Availability of a measuring scale.
5. Volume of milk per serving. As your baby grows, he or she will consume more and more at a time and will find it more convenient if the container is sized to fit the intake size.
6. Terms of use - will it be possible to organize storage of unused volume.
7. How to express breast milk: with a breast pump or manually.
8. Can the container be reused?
9. Storage volumes (whether compact containers are needed or not).
10. Ease of care.

What you need to know about storing expressed milk

Expressed milk looks different from packaged milk. When it sits for a while, it separates into layers. This should not scare mothers, as it is associated with the separation of the fattier elements of the milk and their rise to the top. Its shade can also vary for each woman and depending on the time of day. This is related to the mother’s diet. Milk can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day, and in the freezer for 3 months. More detailed storage conditions depend on the container you choose and the capabilities of your refrigerator. Absolutely all devices designed specifically for storing expressed milk must meet certain criteria:

1. They should close very tightly.
2. Be sterile inside.
3. Be easy to operate.
4. Have a measuring scale.
5. What types of means are there for storing milk?

Milk containers are divided into:

1. Glass. Such dishes can only be used at home. During a hike, such dishes can easily break, and they need to be stored in the refrigerator with great care. You can't store glassware in the freezer either. Before using a glass container, it and its lid must be sterilized. The advantages include ease of washing dishes and reusability. They are the safest. But, such containers are usually the most expensive.
2. Plastic. Such bags for storing breast milk are very popular and convenient among young mothers. Plastic containers have a lot of advantages: they are already sterile when purchased, have special clips and fasteners, and are easy to use. Moreover, these packages are very affordable. They can be used for both short-term storage and long-term freezing. The only downside is the one-time use.
3. Polypropylene. These breast milk storage containers are made of durable plastic. The composition of the material does not allow the product to lose its beneficial properties. They can also be stored in both the refrigerator and freezer. Ease of washing is also a big plus. But, unfortunately, it is advisable to throw away such containers after 4-5 uses.

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Below we will look at the most popular containers for storing milk and their advantages.

Rating

Best Milk Storage Bags

Philips AVENT 180 ml bags SCF603

Advantages

• Tightness
• Sterile packaging
• Compactness
• Zipper

Flaws

• Incorrect scale
• You can’t express directly into a bag
• The inscriptions on the package are erased

Best containers for storing milk

Philips AVENT Containers 180 ml (SCF619)

Advantages

• Reusable
• Easy to clean
• Size
• Compatible with AVent breast pump

Flaws

• Plastic becomes cloudy over time
• Sometimes they spill
• Size

The best inexpensive (cheap) milk storage container

World of Childhood Breast milk storage bags

Advantages

• Zipper
• Tightness
• Compactness
• Quality of materials

Flaws

• The pen does not write on the package

Where can I buy?

You can purchase containers for storing breast milk at any children's store, pharmacy, as well as on the websites of manufacturers or suppliers of various brands.

When purchasing, pay attention to:

• ease of use (twist in your hands);
• strength and reliability upon visual inspection;
• absence of cracks, scratches and other defects;
• tightness of the lid.

You should not choose products from China or from dubious manufacturers.

Avent packages

If you want to buy convenient containers for storing expressed milk, philips bags are a great buy. The advantages include:

• The product is sterile.
• Double zip fastening. This makes storing milk 100% safe.
• Stored in the freezer and refrigerator.
• The hole is made convenient for pouring milk.
• Very advantageous packaging - there are 25 containers in a set.
• Capacity. One bag can store 180 ml.
• The packages do not contain harmful substances.
• Very favorable cost compared to other types of containers.

Such Philips bags can be bought at any pharmacy in your city, or ordered through an online store. A favorable number of packages will allow you to use these products for a very long time.

Avent VIA containers

Another popular set for storing expressed milk from Philips. A set of flexible and universal containers is more expensive than the previous analogue, but at the same time there are many more advantages in use.

• Ease of use with a Philips breast pump. You can feed your baby directly from the container by simply replacing the lid with a special nipple.
• Containers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Sterile packaging.
• Philips containers are sterilizable and reusable.
• The set includes 10 pcs. 180 ml each. This makes it possible to freeze large quantities of milk at once.
• You can also store any baby food in them.

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These are very beneficial freezer containers. Repeated use makes the product very durable and profitable.

Medela containers

This is another popular manufacturer of accessories for babies and mothers. For an affordable price, you can purchase a set of 3 bottles for storing expressed milk. In many ways they are similar to Philips products, but there are also differences.

• The capacity of each container is 150 ml.
• Perfectly fit together with a Medela breast pump. Milk can be expressed directly into a container, tightly closed with a lid and placed in the refrigerator.
• Containers can be frozen.
• Affordable price.
• Can be used as additional bottles when feeding.

Some helpful tips when using expressed breast milk

It doesn’t matter which brand of containers for storing expressed milk you choose - Philips, Medela, Tommee Tippee or another. All of them are made from environmentally friendly materials and are designed for long-term storage (of course, subject to certificates). Once you select a suitable set based on price and functionality, do not forget about a number of simple rules:

1. Before pumping, be sure to wash your hands and wipe your breasts free of dirt.
2. If you do not use bags, but, for example, Philips containers, then be sure to sterilize the set.
3. After freezing, you should never heat milk in the microwave. In this case, all the beneficial properties will disappear, and the milk may quickly turn sour. The best way is to place the container of milk in a jar of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
4. After expressing, milk should be frozen immediately.
5. If the temperature in your freezer is -20 and below, then storage is possible for up to 6 months.

Avent container set (4 pcs.)

These are universal and ergonomic containers. Advantages of this product:

• The ability to express milk directly into a container using a breast pump.
• Absolutely sealed lid.
• Reusable.
• Very convenient to wash. But before each use, it is necessary to sterilize both the lids and the containers themselves.
• The kit includes a special seal. This allows you to store milk in the freezer for 3 months.
• The set includes 4 pieces. Each container is 125 ml.
• Material: polypropylene.

This purchase is very convenient if you fully use Avent products. In addition, this set is suitable for short absences from the child, since the capacity is not very large.