After the milk has been pumped, it needs to be stored in a cold environment. Here are some general guidelines: We’ve included a summary of our favourite choices here, but read on below for more details about when you might find each best to use – there’s no one size fits all solution when it comes to baby & toddler travel! Product

Coolers are often marked with claims of how long they can keep things cool in hours or by days. Sometimes claims use the terms “holds ice” or “keeps ice”. Many daycares ask that breastfeeding parents provide a cooler bag when sending bottles of milk each day. Make sure to ask if they have any specific requirements for the cooler bag before buying. Thanks to breast pumps, even working moms can continue their milk supply and provide their little ones with the most important nutrients for their health and development. Size – Another very important feature is the size of the breast milk cooler bag. Depending on the size of your baby’s bottles, the cooler bag you choose should be able to accommodate them. If you are someone who is on the go, a compact breastmilk cooler can accommodate standard-sized baby bottles.Possible Cons: The bag’s interior is not waterproof, so any leaks could cause quite a mess mid-flight. When you are traveling or flying with breast milk, then a good cooler which keeps things frozen is essential. It must be well insulated, portable, lightweight, roomy, waterproof with strong carry straps, especially if you are bringing it on as carry on for a flight. Coolers can be soft-sided or hard-sided and come in various sizes and materials.

You may find it easier to express if you cover your breasts with a warm towel first, or after you have a shower or bath. Expressing breast milk by hand This is based on a universal Testing Protocol so it is easier to compare different coolers in similar circumstances – where the coolers are 100% filled with cubed ice and are not opened during the testing period. The test is complete when all the ice has fully melted. In real life, coolers are opened more and not completely filled with ice. For example, it comes with metal hooks that are much sturdier and durable than the plastic ones that can break from too much weight.When the flow from one breast has slowed, swap to the other breast. Keep changing breasts until your milk drips very slowly or stops altogether.

Side note: If you do want a bag that’s large enough to fit a laptop and/or tablet, take that measurement into consideration as well. Think about how you will need to use the bag and what needs to fit. Obviously, it needs to fit your pump, pump parts, and pumping accessories. It'll need to fit the milk containers of your choice,” Blankenship says. “Keep in mind how long you'll typically be away and calculate how many containers you'll need to use within that time frame. Make sure your bag will have enough room to hold them all.” Best nursing covers for travel– feed and pump discreetly when you travel with a cover to suit every occasion and style. Breast milk is still considered frozen should there be any amount of ice particles remaining in it. So, even it partially thaws, it is still considered frozen if some parts of it is frozen. Can I refreeze breastmilk after it’s been thawed?

Storing Fresh Breastmilk

As it’s quite tall, the bag will be a good fit even for larger bottles. And when you’re not using it, you can fold it down into a compact and travel-friendly size. many breast pumps including the Spectra fit inside; two compartments; available in two sizes and multiple colors If you’re concerned about the safety of transporting your milk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advice on storing and using human milk safely.

If you need to transport a lot of milk (say, on work trips), a larger breast milk cooler like the Idaho Jones or the Sarah Wells might be a good option. If you’re simply using the bag for work, a heavy-duty insulated cooler isn’t needed, but when traveling long distances, you want something that offers heavy insulation. Leakproof Do not thaw breastmilk at room temperature! Do not leave the milk out to thaw at room temperature as it can spoil. Skip Hop claim that this cooler bag will keep your milk cold for up to 4 hours, so it’s probably better suited for an afternoon trip out, or for transporting bottles home that have been in the fridge at work, rather than a day trip. Pros

You can store breastmilk in the freezer for up to a year

Before storing your breast milk, make sure you select a container that is sterile and rated to use for breastmilk storage. Breastmilk freezer bags typically come pre-sterilised. The Pumpables milk collection bottles are suitable for both freezer and refrigerator storage, but you will need to sterilise them first. You can store fresh breastmilk at room temperature for up to 8 hours Some find it easier to express milk by hand, especially in the first few days or weeks. It also means you can express without needing a pump, or an electricity supply. Cleaning. Spilled milk can happen, especially when bottles are bouncing around during transit. How easy is the bottle cooler to keep clean?