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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