I think Lisa that the source of the conflicting opinions and research 
studies lies in the chronology.  In accordance with earlier studies we 
always advised clients that they could refrigerate their milk for up to 
three days in a good fridge and that although technically milk could be 
frozen for a month we would not recommend this because the milk changes 
according to the age and development of the baby and the milk pumped today 
will not suit the baby in another month.  We nevertheless continued to 
recommending freezing for a week or two.
Now the latest studies as you quote show that antioxidants are reduced with 
prolonged refrigeration and freezing.
Since most of my clients return to work or full-time study three months 
after the birth, I now advise them to avoid freezing the milk but to try and 
keep the pumping two or three days ahead of themselves.  In other words to 
pump at work and if this is not enough for the next day, pump again after 
breastfeeding at home (the small quantities that may be surplus when the 
baby has had enough)  And if they have the weekend off work, to pump extra 
at that time.
However, this does all add to the complicated logistics of maintaining a 
milk supply, pumping and storing apropos the extra stress and pressure when 
the mother returns to work.  So while informing of this antioxidants issue, 
I nevertheless reassure them that the occasional portion of frozen milk 
which has been lurking in the freezer for two or three weeks is still better 
than formula.
But what I think we have to do as counsellors is to discourage the long-term 
freezing as a routine and in the light of these studies I am surprised that 
recommendations for freezing emerge so often in these postings.
Wendy Blumfield
Tutor ANT/BFC NCT
President Israel Childbirth Education Centre
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisa Erickstad" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:59 PM
Subject: Breast milk storage


> Hello,
> My name is Lisa Erickstad and I am a junior nursing student at the 
> University
> of North Dakota. I have done some research on the storage of breast milk
> once it is out of the breast. I decided to research this area due to the 
> fact
> that many resources give varying information. In one study by Hanna 
> (2004),
> found that freezing of human milk resulted in a greater decrease in 
> antioxidant
> activity than refrigeration. Storage of the milk for seven days resulted 
> in lower
> antioxidant activity than storing the milk for 48 hours. The study states 
> in it’s
> discussion that milk should only be stored for a short time at 
> refrigerator
> temperature and not frozen.
> Another article from Lawrence (1999), states that milk can be refrigerated 
> for
> up to 72 hours with little change. It states that freezing the milk 
> destroys the
> cellular activity and reduces vitamin B6 and C in the milk. Bacterial 
> growth was
> said to decrease over 24 hours when the milk had been refrigerated, but 
> this
> doesn’t happen when the milk is frozen. The storage of milk at room
> temperature for eight hours appears to be safe with little loss of 
> nutrient or
> protective value.
> An article by Tully (2000), states that there has been recent research to
> confirm that storing milk at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit) for 
> 4
> hours does not increase bacterial growth. At warmer temperatures (100
> degrees Fahrenheit) microbial proliferation began quicker. Mothers should 
> chill
> the milk as soon as possible after pumping and this helps to reduce the 
> loss of
> some vitamins, cellular components, and other properties of the milk that 
> is
> valuable to the infant. If the milk needs to be stored beyond 24 hours, it 
> is
> recommended that the milk be frozen. It is also suggested that 
> refrigeration
> (at 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 8 days has greater inhibitory 
> effect
> on bacterial growth in the milk than if you were to freeze it. Obviously 
> the
> fresher the milk is when it is fed to the infant the better it is for the 
> infant.
> My question is that there are various researches on how to store milk, and
> most of it is conflicting. I would like to see what you think about this 
> and
> what your hospital or clinic protocols are for storing breast milk.
>
> References
> Hanna, N., Ahmed, K., Anwar, M, Petrova, A., Hiatt, M. & Hegyi. (2004).
> Effect of storage on breast milk antioxidant activity. Arch. Dis. Child. 
> Fetal
> Neonatal Ed. 89;518-520.
> Lawrence, R.A. (1999). Storage of human milk and the influence of 
> procedures
> on immunological components of human milk. Acta Paediatr Suppl., 88 (430),
> 14-18.
> Tully, M. R. (2000). Recommendations for handling of mother’s own milk.
> Journal of Human Lactation, 16, 149.
>
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