How much milk can I pump in advance and how should I store it?
Babies commonly take a variety of amounts at each feeding. Mothers should store their milk in small increments at first, usually one or two ounce increments. This makes it easier to tailor each feeding to a baby's need. Because the milk is stored in small units, it is easy to thaw and warm and there is little waste. As your baby becomes more accustomed to taking stored breast milk, you may notice he or she takes a similar amount at each feeding and it may be easier to store that amount. You should also store smaller increments for when your baby wants a little more as he or she grows. For mothers exclusively providing stored breast milk to their child, consider providing at least some of the feedings at the breast to take advantage of some of the health benefits that are only received by direct breastfeeding. Breast milk can be safely stored in glass or hard plastic bottles with tight fitting lids, or bags especially designed for storing breast milk. Avoid containers made with the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Bags made especially for storing breast milk are designed to protect the nutrients and anti-infective qualities of human milk. They are thicker than the bottle liners sold for use with disposable bottle systems, which may split during freezing and may cause a decrease in the antibodies and fat which adhere to the sides of the bags. Since some of the white blood cells in human milk are destroyed by freezing, it makes sense to refrigerate milk whenever you will be using it within 8 days.