Breast milk is a miraculous liquid. It not only provides perfect nutrition for your little one but also contains a bonus of immune system boosters. Nursing moms don’t want to waste a drop, so they are always searching for the best breast milk storage bags.
Our grandmothers didn’t worry much about storing their breast milk. Attachment parenting meant something different back then! Their infants were seldom far from their sides.
Today many moms have careers and commitments that mean that they can’t be with their babies around the clock. Yet they still want their children to enjoy the incredible benefits of breast milk.
If you are one of these modern moms, you will become very familiar with the pump and save cycle, if you aren’t already. If you use an electric breast pump, you can buy the same brand of storage bags.
Some moms have discovered, however, that they prefer a different brand of bag. If you use a manual pump or some other expression method, you’ll still need bags for storage.
What goes into the best breast milk storage bags? For your baby, of course, you’ll want the ultimate in safety – presterilized bags that are free of any toxic substances. For yourself, you’ll want bags that are hassle-free. That means bags that are leakproof, easy to fill, simple to label and trouble-free to store.
Here’s a preview of the best breast milk storage bags.
Our Top Picks
- Pump-into-Bag Technology. You can pump directly into the bag with a Lansinoh pump or use an adapter for any other standard-sized pump, including Medela, Evenflo and Ameda.
- Special Design. The design of purple flowers indicates that you have a product that is designed for pumping into the bag.
- Safe for Baby. Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags are presterilized and certified free of BPA and BPS.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Bags stand up in the refrigerator or lie down in the freezer, for maximum ease of storage.
- Double Zipper Seal. Lansinoh bags feature a patented Click 'N Secure seal at the top for safe storage.
- Generously Sized. Bags are sized to hold 6 ounces without being overfilled.
- Easy to Label. These bags are easy to label and provide a large area at the top of the bag for you to write on. .
- Double Sealed Seams. These bags feature double-sealed seams for leak resistance even after freezing.
- Choice of Quantity. Lansinoh bags are available in boxes of 25, 50 and 100.
- Affordable. Lansinoh bags are moderately priced, especially for a product that allows you to pump right into the bag.
- Multi-Use Product. Kiinde Twist pouches can be used for collecting, storing, warming and feeding, so you don't waste milk transferring from one container to another.
- Pump-into-Bag Technology. You can pump directly into the bag from any pump.
- Safe for Baby. Kiinde Twist pouches are presterilized and free of BPA, PVC and phthalates.
- Twist-Lock Cap. The screw-top lid is leakproof and easy to open and close.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Pouches stand up for filling and lay flat for storage.
- Two Sizes. Pouches are available in 6-ounce or 8-ounce sizes.
- Choice of Quantity. Pouches are available in boxes of 22, 40, 80 and 320.
- Easy to Label. These pouches provide a high-visibility labeling area.
- Usable for Solid Foods. The pouches can be used for feeding pureed food. The Foodii spouts and spoons, also made by Kiinde, are compatible with the pouches for easy feeding.
- Quality Control. Kiinde products are designed and tested in house.
- Safe for Baby. Nuk Seal 'n Go Breast Milk Bags are presterilized and BPA free.
- Gravity-Fed Pour Spout. When zippers are opened, the plastic forms a convenient pour spout.
- Oxygen Barrier. Nutrients are protected by an oxygen barrier.
- Leakproof. The company guarantees that these bags are 100% leakproof.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Bags can be stored standing or lying down, for versatility in storage.
- Double Zipper Seal. Secure storage is provided by the double zipper lock at top.
- Generously Sized. Bags are sized to hold 6 ounces without being overfilled.
- Tamper Resistant Tops. Users can easily tell if these bags have been tampered with.
- Choice of Quantity. These bags are available in boxes of 25, 50 and 100.
- Affordable. Nuk Seal 'n Go bags are moderately priced.
- Pump-into-Bag Technology. You can pump directly into the bag with a Lansinoh pump or use an adapter for any other standard-sized pump, including Medela, Evenflo and Ameda.
- Special Design. The design of purple flowers indicates that you have a product that is designed for pumping into the bag.
- Safe for Baby. Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags are presterilized and certified free of BPA and BPS.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Bags stand up in the refrigerator or lie down in the freezer, for maximum ease of storage.
- Double Zipper Seal. Lansinoh bags feature a patented Click 'N Secure seal at the top for safe storage.
- Generously Sized. Bags are sized to hold 6 ounces without being overfilled.
- Easy to Label. These bags are easy to label and provide a large area at the top of the bag for you to write on. .
- Double Sealed Seams. These bags feature double-sealed seams for leak resistance even after freezing.
- Choice of Quantity. Lansinoh bags are available in boxes of 25, 50 and 100.
- Affordable. Lansinoh bags are moderately priced, especially for a product that allows you to pump right into the bag.
- Multi-Use Product. Kiinde Twist pouches can be used for collecting, storing, warming and feeding, so you don't waste milk transferring from one container to another.
- Pump-into-Bag Technology. You can pump directly into the bag from any pump.
- Safe for Baby. Kiinde Twist pouches are presterilized and free of BPA, PVC and phthalates.
- Twist-Lock Cap. The screw-top lid is leakproof and easy to open and close.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Pouches stand up for filling and lay flat for storage.
- Two Sizes. Pouches are available in 6-ounce or 8-ounce sizes.
- Choice of Quantity. Pouches are available in boxes of 22, 40, 80 and 320.
- Easy to Label. These pouches provide a high-visibility labeling area.
- Usable for Solid Foods. The pouches can be used for feeding pureed food. The Foodii spouts and spoons, also made by Kiinde, are compatible with the pouches for easy feeding.
- Quality Control. Kiinde products are designed and tested in house.
- Safe for Baby. Nuk Seal 'n Go Breast Milk Bags are presterilized and BPA free.
- Gravity-Fed Pour Spout. When zippers are opened, the plastic forms a convenient pour spout.
- Oxygen Barrier. Nutrients are protected by an oxygen barrier.
- Leakproof. The company guarantees that these bags are 100% leakproof.
- Stand or Lie Flat. Bags can be stored standing or lying down, for versatility in storage.
- Double Zipper Seal. Secure storage is provided by the double zipper lock at top.
- Generously Sized. Bags are sized to hold 6 ounces without being overfilled.
- Tamper Resistant Tops. Users can easily tell if these bags have been tampered with.
- Choice of Quantity. These bags are available in boxes of 25, 50 and 100.
- Affordable. Nuk Seal 'n Go bags are moderately priced.
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
Some Breastfeeding Issues
Breastfeeding moms know that the struggle is real! The modern world isn’t always friendly to nursing moms. Some moms have been criticized for nursing in public or have had their precious breast milk discarded by airport gate agents. And it’s pretty much always a struggle to find a good time and place to pump.
The United States, along with many other countries, is increasing support to breastfeeding mothers. The Transportation Security Administration has reclassified breast milk so it’s okay to carry on board. Many states have passed laws prohibiting nursing mothers from being charged with public indecency.
The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 supports breastfeeding in two ways. It requires most insurance plans to cover breastfeeding equipment and calls for most larger companies to provide time and space for mothers to pump.
Of course, exceptions to the laws and a lag in implementation mean that nursing moms still face challenges.
There are sound reasons for promoting breastfeeding. Baby doctors are united in their recommendation that babies be fed with breast milk whenever possible.
In 1997 the American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement recommending that babies be given breast milk rather than formula at least through their first year of life. The AAP’s most recent policy statement ties breastfeeding to a reduced rate of many ailments, including asthma, urinary tract infections, ear infections and celiac disease.
Most people don’t know just how amazing breast milk. For example, they may not know that breast milk composition is dynamic.
In other words, the milk that you produce when your baby is a week old is not identical to the milk you produce six months later. The mix of nutrients in your milk changes in response to your baby’s needs.
Because breast milk changes as your baby grows, the ideal method of nursing is still straight from mom to baby, so that your baby gets the benefit of this finely calibrated food. But even if you have to pump, breast milk is far superior to any other food for infants.
Thanks to recent advances in the field, at least moms who pump don’t have to worry about finding good ways to store breast milk.
Why Buy Special Breast Milk Storage Bags?
Breast milk can be stored in several ways. It’s entirely possible, for example, to use bottles for storage. Still, bags have several advantages over other containers. Breast milk storage bags are:
- Sterilized so you don’t have to worry about contaminating your milk
- Free of BPA, BPS and other possible toxins
- Designed to stand up for easy filling
- Made of thicker material that resists punctures
- Created in space-saving designs so they won’t take over your freezer
- Made to thaw quickly in the fridge or in a bowl of warm water.
One disadvantage is that they are not reusable, but at least you’ll know that you are putting your milk into a clean, fresh bag each time you pump.
Storage Times for Breast Milk
Breast milk responds to storage and to freezing remarkably well.
You can store your freshly expressed breast milk without freezing in the following ways:
- Keep it at room temperature for 6-8 hours. Put it in a closed container to prevent contamination, and don’t let the temperature rise above 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Draping it with a wet towel will help to keep it cool.
- Store it in an insulated bag with cold packs touching the container. Refrain from opening the bag unnecessarily.
- Keep it in the refrigerator for up to five days. Store it at the back of the fridge.
If you choose to freeze the milk, follow these guidelines:
- If using a refrigerator with a freezer compartment, store for two weeks or less.
- If using a refrigerator-freezer combination with separate doors, store for 3-6 months.
- If using a chest or upright freezer, you can store for 6-12 months.
These guidelines are courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
More Storage Tips
You may be curious why the storage times above vary. You may wonder, for example, if you have a standard refrigerator-freezer unit, why the guideline says 3-6 months. Should you throw unused milk after 3 months, or is it really safe for 6 months?
A range of times is given because circumstances can vary. Perhaps your fridge is an older unit with an aging seal. You should probably follow the three-month guideline.
No matter where you are storing your milk, if you have family members who open and close the doors a lot, you should follow the shorter deadline.
A basic principle of food storage is that you don’t want food to get warm and then cold and then warm and then cold. That’s why the best storage in a refrigerator or freezer is at the back and why you shouldn’t open any cooling device needlessly.
That’s also why you don’t put a container of milk in a bowl of warm water and leave it. Some areas will heat up faster than others and could start to spoil. Instead, you swish it around so that it thaws evenly.
If you are storing milk in the fridge and decide you don’t need it, you can then freeze it. But once frozen milk has been thawed, it should be used promptly and not refrozen.
Don’t save leftover milk from one feeding for the next one, as the baby’s mouth is sure to contain microbes that could grow in milk.
Breast milk does separate a bit when it has been frozen and thawed. Just shake it up, and it should be fine.
Labeling Breast Milk
Most breast milk bags have specific areas and directions for labeling, so that you can date each batch. It works best if you label the bag before you use it. If you wait until the bag is chilled or frozen, the ink will not adhere well. Some moms prefer to use stick-on labels.
If your child goes to daycare, you should also put your name on it, in very clear writing. Even if your child doesn’t go to daycare, label your milk if there is a chance that you’ll be taking it somewhere where it could be mixed in with other moms’ breast milk.
Switching breast milk with another mom might seem like a minor occurrence, but it is possible to contract a disease through breast milk.
It’s a serious enough situation that the CDC has a page of advice about what to do if milk is accidentally switched. The best remedy is prevention. Make sure that your breast milk is clearly marked.
Two Problems With Breast Milk Storage Bags
Two complaints pop up frequently in regard to breast milk storage bags. One is that the measurements are inaccurate. The other is that the bags leak.
In regard to the first issue, measurements on a bag are always going to be less accurate than those printed on a rigid container, such as a bottle.
Makers of the bags say that if the bag is fully expanded, it should measure fairly accurately when standing up. Many users say that the measurements are still off.
If it’s important that you know precisely how much your baby is drinking, you may have to use a measuring cup or scale to measure milk.
In regard to the second issue, a number of practices can cause bags to leak. For that reason, you shouldn’t eliminate a bag from consideration because some users say it leaks. It’s possible that the leaks are due to user error.
The most common user error is overfilling the bag. Most bags are sized for a particular volume, which can vary from 4 to 6 ounces. The bags will hold more, but when the milk freezes and expands, the bag will rupture.
Another practice that can cause leaks is failure to get the top securely zipped. Another is storing milk in the freezer next to something with sharp points. Fish, shrimp, and crabs have protrusions which often puncture their own storage bags and may damage bags that are placed next to them. Meat bones and sharp corners on freezer containers can do the same thing.
You can use storage racks to keep your milk separate from other items that might puncture the bags. You can also re-purpose boxes into containers for your breast milk bags. Soft drink boxes, the 12-pack variety, are about the right size for most breast milk bags.
More Hints and Helpful Resources
Some moms keep something flat in the refrigerator to place the bags on until they are frozen. This technique keeps the bags perfectly flat for better storage.
If you have a limited quantity of breast milk, you can freeze small amounts so that you can thaw out the precise amount you need.
For example, at first, you will only need to freeze four ounces, as that is the maximum that most newborns will eat at one time. When baby starts on cereal, you might want to freeze some bags with only two ounces, if that is the amount you need to mix with baby’s cereal.
You can learn more about breastfeeding from the Women’s Health page of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources. La Leche League USA is another great source. Get more information about breast milk storage from the Mayo Clinic
A word about pricing of breast milk storage bags: Cost per piece can vary widely by seller and size of the package. Economy-sized packages can save you a lot of money, but often the most popular size, usually the 50-count, is the least expensive.
Also, you may be able to shop around and find a great price for a brand that is normally one of the most expensive. So don’t be quick to eliminate one of the pricey brands if it’s one you really want to try.
With all of this information in mind, it’s time to take a look at the breast milk storage bags.
Best Milk Storage Bags Reviewed
Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags
One of the major advantages of the Lansinoh bags is that you can pump directly into the bags. If you use a Lansinoh pump, no adapter is required. If you use a different brand, you’ll need an adapter which can be purchased on the Lansinoh website.
Pumping directly into the bag has a couple of advantages. First, it is a timesaver. Second, eliminating any step in the process means getting rid of an opportunity for spillage. Breastfeeding moms really hate it when their precious milk is wasted!
Lansinoh bags are made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is a squeezable plastic that is #4 recyclable. They are made in Thailand.
Cons:
Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouch
The Kiinde Twist storage pouches for breast milk are an important part of the system, although you can use them even if you don’t have the other parts.
Here’s the blueprint. The Kiinde Twist pouches are designed to be pumped directly into. The starter kit comes with adapters so that the pouches can be used with virtually any pump.
After pumping, you store the pouches in the fridge or freezer – a handy storage rack is included – and then you pop the pouches into the Kiinde Squeeze feeding bottle.
The bottle comes with an Active Latch nipple, but if you prefer a different nipple, the same adapter that you use with the pump can be used to attach the nipple.
The pouches are tougher than the typical breast milk bag, and instead of the typical zipper openings, they feature a screw top for a more secure closing. The pouches are made of low-density polyethylene (#4 recyclable), and the lids are high-density polyethylene (#2 recyclable).
The first Kiinde product was the Kozii warmer, designed to warm bottles or breast milk pouches using convective heat instead of steam.
The Kozii system warms bottles at a lower temperature, so that nutrients are not lost, and features an auto shutoff for safety.
The Kiinde Twist pouches can be warmed in the Kozii but should not be placed in standard bottle warmers. They can be warmed like other breast milk bags by placing in a bowl of warm water.
Cons: Moms like the Nuk breast milk bags because the heavy plastic is puncture resistant and guaranteed leakproof. They also like the reasonable price tag. These bags are made in the United States. Cons: Dr. Brown’s Breast Milk Storage Bags get high marks for performance. The company website states, “We overbuilt this bag for results over and above the expected.” The bags are made in China. Cons:
Nuk Seal ‘n Go Breast Milk Bags
Dr. Brown’s Breast Milk Storage Bags
