Review of bags for storing breast milk: pros and cons, prices, customer opinions
Breast milk is a unique product. Any conscientious mother wants to maintain lactation for as long as possible. However, things don't always go according to plan.
Situations may arise when the baby will have to be fed expressed milk. It's better than mixture.
Manufacturers, knowing this, produce convenient bags for storing and transporting breast milk to help mothers.
Content
What are they and why are they needed?
Modern manufacturers are trying in every possible way to make life easier for nursing mothers. After all, the period of breastfeeding takes a long time and anything can happen. For example, separation from the child is necessary or there is a lot of milk and you need to save it. These may be a variety of circumstances, but the task is the same - to create a breast milk bank.
The bags can withstand a wide range of temperatures without releasing harmful substances into food. Filled containers can be kept in the room, refrigerator, freezer.
How to choose?
Despite the wide variety of manufacturers of milk storage bags, the general characteristics of the products are identical. When choosing a specific model you need to focus on the following parameters:
Material safety: it is important to carefully study the composition.- Strength: bags must be dense to the touch, otherwise sudden temperature changes can tear the product.
- Tightness: several reliable fasteners will protect the milk from leaking.
- Availability of a measuring scale.
- Package volume: the product is sold with different maximum contents, taking into account the needs of the child, you need to purchase packages sufficient for one meal.
- What kind of pumping is practiced - manually or using a breast pump: it is more convenient to purchase kits that match the brand of breast pump.
- Ease of operation: the product must contain detailed instructions for use.
- Required storage volumes.
In addition, you need to rely on reviews from more experienced mothers, balancing your own needs and capabilities.
Top 5 popular brands
Baby stores and pharmacies offer several types of bags for storing expressed breast milk. It is advisable to consider the most popular brands.
Philips Avent
Manufacturer - China. Maximum volume 180 ml. The package contains 25 pieces. The product has a reliable double zipper and reinforced side seams. Warranty seal available. There is a window for recording the date of pumping. The bags attach to a breast pump of a similar brand.
The world of childhood
Packages made in Thailand. One package contains 20 pieces of 150 ml. Sterile bags are made from high-quality multilayer polyethylene and are intended for single use. Each copy has two zip-locks that ensure tightness. The product has a stable bottom, a measuring scale and a place to record the pumping date.Can be stored both in the refrigerator and freezer.
Medela
Packages made in Switzerland. Packages of 25 and 50 pieces per 180 ml. Safe sterile material, double clasp, measuring scale, window for recording data, wide neck for pouring milk. The set includes a transport bag for transporting breast milk. Medela bags are designed for the refrigerator and freezer and have detailed instructions for the user.
Alpina layer
Manufacturer: Russia. Packages of 10 and 20 pieces of 250 ml. Sterile with a sealed lock. The kit includes stickers to record the date and time of pumping. The manufacturer recommends that after closing the bag, fold the top part and secure with a sticker. The product is not connected to a breast pump.
Ramili BMB20
Manufacturer England. The package contains 20 pieces of 150 ml. Manufactured using modern technologies. The product is equipped with a triple clasp to prevent leakage and has a stable bottom for storage in both vertical and horizontal positions. At the top of the package there is a field for filling in the date of pumping. The product is supplied with detailed instructions for use.
How to use?
Breast milk collection is best done in the early morning, when the nursing mother has the highest production of oxytocin. Place the baby on one breast while expressing the other by hand or with a breast pump. Then carefully pour the liquid into the bag. If the bag is attached to a breast pump, then express directly into the container. During the day it is allowed to pour milk into one container.
Universal instructions for use breast milk collection bags looks like this:
- wash your hands before the procedure;
- remove the protective seal;
- push the walls of the bag apart without putting your fingers inside;
- pour milk into the bag no higher than the maximum mark;
- remove excess air;
- close with an airtight fastener;
- write the date of pumping;
- send the container for storage.
You need to pour as much breast milk into the bag as the baby eats in one feeding. With age, needs increase.
Where and how best to store?
Completed packages store in a cool, dark place out of reach of children. Storage location directly depends on the needs of the family. If you need to feed the baby in the near future, it is quite possible to leave it indoors.
To preserve milk for several days, it is better to place it in the refrigerator. Just not in the doors, but further to the inner wall of the unit, where the temperature remains constant. When you need to make strategic supplies for several months, the freezer is the ideal option.
How long does the product last after pumping?
Shelf life of breast milk depends on the following parameters:
- ambient temperature;
- pumping hygiene;
- containers.
At room temperature from 190 to 260 C, the drink can stand for 4-6 hours. A lower degree of 180-190 C will allow the milk not to spoil for up to 10 hours.
In the refrigerator at a temperature of +20 to +80 C, the valuable drink will retain its properties for up to 10 days. A cooler bag, which is convenient to take on trips, will have the same effect. In a separate freezer with temperatures up to -190 -200 C, breast milk can be stored for several months, even up to a year.
Of course, over a long period of time, the drink may lose some valuable elements and taste. However, if this is the only way to really prolong breastfeeding, then it is better than the most expensive formula.
Expressing hygiene will also keep your milk free from harmful bacteria and keep it fresh. It is recommended to wash your hands with soap before the procedure. It is not necessary to treat the breasts if the mother showers daily. If a mother uses a breast pump, it must be sterilized before use.
Alternatives
In addition to packages the market offers special containers for mothers for storing breast milk. They are made of high quality plastic with a hermetically sealed lid. The containers can be attached to breast pumps from a similar company.
The advantage of containers is that they are reusable, unlike bags. The disadvantage of the listed types of containers is their high cost for many categories of families.
There are also more budget-friendly options for storing expressed breast milk. The main thing is that the container meets the basic requirements:
- Strength.
- Sterility.
- Tight lid.
- Material safety.
Package Alternatives There may be the following solutions:
- bags for freezing fruits and vegetables;
- bags or molds for ice;
- glass baby food jars;
- sterile test jars;
- thermoses.
Each option has its own disadvantages and advantages.Mothers will have to make their own choice in favor of one container or another based on personal experience, needs, taste preferences and financial capabilities of the family. An overview of containers for storing breast milk is presented in this In the article, you can find out how to store breast milk after expressing in a bottle here.
Useful tips
Most often, expressed breast milk bags are used for freezing for future use. To preserve the nutritional value, it is important to defrost the portion correctly. The manufacturer does not recommend heating milk in a microwave oven or saucepan.
There are two options for defrosting: transfer to the refrigerator until completely thawed or place under running warm (not hot!) water, and then heat to the desired temperature.
Thawed and unused milk should not be re-frozen, but rather discarded. The package is thrown away. Breast milk may have a “soapy” smell after defrosting. This is due to the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fats.
The process is considered normal and does not harm the child’s health. If the baby drinks this milk, then everything is fine.
Conclusion
Packages for storing and transporting breast milk significantly reduce the worries of nursing mothers. The products have both pros and cons, but are popular.
All well-known brands have generally similar characteristics, with the exception of some nuances. The main thing is to use them correctly in accordance with the instructions, and the child will receive invaluable nutrition even in the forced absence of the mother.
