Whether shaken or swirled, breastmilk should preferably be stored in a
way that minimizes its exposure to air because certain vitamins in it,
most notably Vitamin C, are degraded more quickly in air. But
breastmilk is still breastmilk, even if the Vitamin C content isn't
what it might have been at the moment it came out of the breast.
A collapsible container is probably better for this than a container
with rigid sides, because it can be closed in such a way as to keep
air away from the milk. Shaking any milk in a larger container than
the actual volume of the milk will increase oxidative reactions in the
milk. Not grounds for discarding it, but something to be avoided if
possible, particularly if the child in question is getting only
expressed milk (in contrast to breastfeeding directly).
*Even if* some of the proteins could be denatured by shear forces
resulting from shaking, breastmilk is a far cry from formula.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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