12^th April 2022

Yes, you have read it correctly. It is not everyone’s job. Only mothers with newborn babies are privileged to lactate breast milk. It is a licence gifted by nature to them. But what if mothers are outside the house or not with babies? This question often comes when we are new parents. Can we store breast milk without losing its effectiveness and nutritional value?? The answer is yes, but with some precautions.

Breastfeeding gives babies the start to a healthy life. It provides various benefits to mothers and babies. Breastfeeding also has economic benefits for the whole family and society. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months of age, with the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding (foods and drinks other than breastmilk) at this age and continued breastfeeding to 12 months and beyond, for as long as mother and child desire. Breast milk is a natural diet for every baby till 12 months of age (All You Need to Know About Breast Milk Storage Bags, 2019).

Breastfeeding is a normal physiological process. However, it is a skill that mothers and babies need to practice and may need help with for some. Breastfeeding requires the encouragement and support of partners, families and health care professionals. Thanks to the advancements in the health sector, we all are very concerned about its importance.

Knowing that your little one can still benefit from your breast milk while away can give you peace of mind. Pumping and storing your breast milk is a great way to ensure your little one still receives all your milk’s vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Breast milk storage bags are a space-saving, cost-effective way to do this conveniently.

After carefully considering mothers’ concerns, we have introduced BC Babycare’s Breast milk storage bags to safely store and warm breast milk. Breast Milk Storage Bags enables you to store extra breast milk in the fridge or freezer, so you don’t have to look for other substitutes in the absence of the mother. The ready-to-be-used Breast Milk Storage Bags make storing, transporting and warming your breast milk convenient and hygienic; after all, we all like to be prepared to avoid the last-minute hassle.

Key Features:

• Food- Contact materials
• Convenient storage
• Pre-sterilized
• Leak-Proof

How to Safely Use BC Babycare’s Breast Milk Storage Bags

While some parents use food containers or baby bottles to store their milk, they take up a lot of space in the refrigerator. BC Babycare’s breast milk storage bags are a convenient way to preserve and keep your milk as they’re designed for that instant fresh milk storage purpose. Best of all, they’re highly user friendly. Just transfer your pumped milk to the breast milk bag. Seal the bag and write the date and time on the bag before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. (Our breast milk bags are self-standing for easy filling, handling, and space-saving storage.)

Thaw frozen breast milk at room temperature for two hours or in the refrigerator for 24 hours. According to HMBANA (Human Milk Banking Association of North America), breast milk can also be thawed in a container of warm water (not >98 degrees Fahrenheit). When it’s time to feed the baby, transfer the milk from the bag to the bottle, and you’re ready to go.

Safe Storage of Breast Milk Bags

Of course, you want to ensure that your milk is stored correctly so that your baby benefits from all the vitamins and nutrients breast milk provides. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following breast milk storage guidelines:

• Freshly expressed or pumped breast milk-
  • It can be kept out at room temperature (77 degrees Fahrenheit) for four hours.
  • Stored in the refrigerator (40 degrees Fahrenheit) for four days.
  • Kept in the freezer (0 degrees Fahrenheit) is best used within six months, but up to 12 months is acceptable.

Are Breast Milk Storage Bags Reusable?

Since breast milk bags come ready to use right out of the package, there’s no prep, saving you valuable time. Health care professionals recommend that you only use them once and then dispose of them to avoid the risk of contaminating your baby’s next feeding. Fortunately, BC Babycare’s breast milk storage bag packs come in convenient 25 pcs & 50 pcs bags with 180ml quantities, so you’ll have an ample supply to start a milk stash and keep your little one well-fed when you’re away.

Benefits for the mother?

Often as mothers, we think about the consequences of breastfeeding on body and physique. The good news is that Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It also releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too (Benefits of Breastfeeding: For Baby and Mom, 2018).

Is feeding painful?

When babies latch on properly, some moms feel a few moments of discomfort at the beginning of a feeding session. After that, the pain gradually eases. You may feel a gentle pluck on your breasts while your baby feeds, but it shouldn’t hurt.

What’s the Best Position for Breastfeeding?

The best position for you is when you and your baby are comfortable and relaxed. Below are some familiar places to breastfeed your babies.

• Cradle Position-Rest the side of your baby’s head in the crook of your elbow with their whole body facing you. Position your baby’s belly against your body to feel fully supported.
• Football position- Line your baby’s back along your forearm to hold your baby like a football, supporting the head and neck in your palm. This works best with newborns and tiny babies. It’s also a good position if you’re recovering from a caesarean birth and need to protect your belly from the pressure or weight of your baby.

• Side-lying position- This position is great for night feedings in bed. Side-lying also works well if you’re recovering from an episiotomy, an incision to widen the vaginal opening during delivery. Use pillows under your head to get comfortable. Then snuggle close to your baby and use your free hand to lift your breast and nipple into your baby’s mouth. Once your baby is correctly “latched on,” support the head and neck with your hand so there’s no twisting or straining to keep nursing.
• Cross-cradle hold- Sit straight in a comfortable chair that has armrests. Hold your baby in the crook of your arm opposite the breast you will use to feed them. Support their head with your hand. Bring your baby across your body, so your tummies face each other. Use your other hand to cup your breast in a U-shaped hold. Bring your baby’s mouth to your breast, cradle them close, and don’t lean forward.
• Laid-back position- It’s meant to tap into the natural breastfeeding instincts you and your baby have. Lean back, but not flat, on a couch or bed. Have good support for your head and shoulders. Hold your baby so your entire fronts touch. Let your baby take any position they’re comfortable in as long as their cheek rests near your breast. Help your baby latch on if they need it (The 6 best breastfeeding positions, 2018).

I hope you found the information helpful. Please stay connected with us to find out some more tips on parenting that can ease your life.

References

Medela. 2022. How to Pump and Save With Breast Milk Storage Bags. [online] Available at: <https://www.medela.us/breastfeeding/articles/how-to-pump-and-save-with-breast-milk-storage-bags> [Accessed 12 April 2022].

 PBC Expo Shop. 2019. All You Need to Know About Breast Milk Storage Bags. [online] Available at: <https://www.pbcexpo.com.au/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-breast-milk-storage-bags> [Accessed 12 April 2022].

Medicalnewstoday.com. 2018. The 6 best breastfeeding positions. [online] Available at: <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322984#best-breastfeeding-positions> [Accessed 12 April 2022].

Cleveland Clinic. 2018. Benefits of Breastfeeding: For Baby and Mom. [online] Available at: <https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15274-the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-baby–for-mom> [Accessed 12 April 2022].