Are breast milk storage containers an effective method of saving your liquid gold? Yes! It’s just a matter of picking the right ones.
A breast milk storage container will keep your milk fresh, whether it’s in the fridge or freezer, and allows you to build up a milk stash for when you go back to work or simply want more freedom in your downtime.
When shopping for one, it’s important to note whether the model will fit your breast pump. Another key factor to pay attention to is its material as most containers are made from either glass or plastic.
While you can always opt for breast milk storage bags, I tend to prefer containers because they are reusable and save you much more money in the long run, while bags need to be thrown out after every use.
Check out my top ten picks for the best milk storage containers for breastmilk below.
1. Matyz Glass Breastmilk Storage Containers
- BREASTMILK SAFETY IS OUR UTMOST PRIORITY
- 3-IN-1 WIDE NECK GLASS BOTTLES FOR PUMPING, STORING & FEEDING
- LEAKPROOF AND EASY TO CLEAN
- SAFEST & PUREST HIGH QUALITY BUILT
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You will find breast milk freezing to be really simple with these Matyz breast milk storage containers. They are made from glass but can still withstand freezer storage.
The containers are wide-neck, which makes it easy to wash them by hand. Regardless of which breast pump you are using, you will be able to make it work with the Matyz containers since you will get a free converter with your order.
For bottle feedings, simply replace the lids with nipples and you can use the container like a baby bottle.
What I really love about these containers is that the measuring line is durable and won’t wash off easily, as is usually the case with plastic containers.
2. Medela Breast Milk Storage Solution Set
- #1 PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDED BREAST MILK STORAGE PRODUCT IN THE US
- CUSTOMIZED STORAGE DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR BABYS CHANGING NEEDS
- ULTRA-CONVENIENT ORGANIZATION OF ALL BREAST MILK STORAGE SUPPLIES
- MADE WITHOUT BPA
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If you’re just starting your pumping journey, a Medela breast milk storage set is the perfect way to start storing breast milk.
In addition to storage containers for breast milk, the set includes Medela breast milk storage bags and a tray to keep your liquid gold stash organized in the fridge or freezer.
Remember that the bags of milk can’t be used more than once but the containers can be. Although the containers are plastic, don’t worry – they are BPA-free. I also find it neat that the lids allow you to mark the date of when you pumped the milk.
Since these are Medela containers, they are only 100 percent compatible with a Medela pump, so keep this in mind.
3. Playtex Baby Nurser Reusable Silicone Pods Starter Set
- 1 POD DOES IT ALL - With our silicone pods, you can pump, store, warm and feed with only one pod, no milk transfer needed.
- COMPLETE STARTER SET - This starter set comes with all of the bottle-feeding essentials including two bottles with NATURALATCH COMFORT Nipples, four reusable silicone pods, two breast pump adapters and 30 pod labels.
- CLOSER TO NATURAL BREASTFEEDING - Our unique soft silicone pods gently contract as baby feeds to promote air-free feeding and help reduce gas, spit-ups, colic and fussiness.
- FASTER WARMING – Silicone pods warm up faster than regular bottles which helps to preserve milk nutrients.
- DESIGNED FOR NURSER BOTTLES - Easy to use Nurser Pods are specially designed for use with Playtex Baby Nurser Bottles*. (*8-10oz size)
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When compared to the other models on this list, the Playtex pods stand out in terms of design and they are quite different from your average breast milk storage container. But no worries, they can still be placed in the fridge or freezer.
Before you order, just make sure to double-check whether the pods are compatible with your breast pump. Medela and Ameda users, for example, can use these pods.
This set includes bottles where you can place the pod for quick and simple feeding sessions, and it comes with labels, too. Their bottles are well-designed and aim to lower the amount of air that a baby ingests during feedings, so there’s less gas and crankiness.
4. Breastmilk Chiller Reusable Storage Container
- SAFE - Chills milk for 20+ hours (Need more time? just add ice)
- CAPACITY - 12oz – 34oz of milk storage capacity for busy moms on the go
- CONVENIENT - Just one container to drop in your bag - Pump directly into the Chiller
- VERSATILE - Compatible with all major brand pumps, Use the lid as a bottle to feed the baby
- EASY TO USE - No more sticky messes from changing out plastic bottles - Dishwasher-safe
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The Ceres Chill container works as a cooler and container at the same time. Regardless of which pump you’re using, it will likely be compatible with this model. You use it by pumping the milk straight into the bottle that can keep it cold for as long as 20 hours.
One of the best aspects of this pump is that it can fit as much as 34 ounces of milk! The lid can also be used to feed your baby, so it’s a very practical container.
I really like how this storage container eliminates the need for carrying a separate cooler in your bag, which means there’s less stuff to lug around on a daily basis. Plus, it’s designed so that it just looks like a regular thermos bottle (discreet is great as a working mom!)
When you need to clean it, simply pop it in the dishwasher. It’s available in three colors – purple, white, and blue, plus it includes a neat illustration in the front. While it is pricier than other containers, the cost is definitely justified as it’s very durable.
5. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bottles
- (Pack of 4)
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At this point, I doubt there is a mom out there who hasn’t used (or at least heard of) Lansinoh breast milk storage bags. However, have you heard that Lansinoh has breast milk storage containers, too?
These 5-ounce containers can be used as a bottle, too. Keep in mind that since these are made by Lansinoh, they will likely only be compatible with their pumps.
Other than that, these containers can have you store milk in a fridge and freezer and are safe to be cleaned in a dishwasher. After all, Lansinoh is the company behind some of the best breast milk storage bags around, so I would definitely give their containers a chance.
6. Hegen Breast Milk Storage
- Express, Store and feed within a single container with interchangeable adapters, feeding and storage lids. No wasteful transfer of milk necessary.
- Organise smartly with snap-on interconnecting buttons for enhanced stability.
- Secure closure protects nutrients and keeps breastmilk fresh
- Safe in sterilisers, warmers, dishwasher (top rack only), microwave, boiling water and freezing
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When you purchase the Hegen 5-ounce containers, you will get a very versatile product that you can use for years to come. This is because Hegen containers can be used for snacks or fruit when your baby graduates to eating solid foods.
Whether you want to use it to freeze milk or just keep it cool, these containers work well in different temperatures. Extremely hot temperatures won’t damage them either, so you can sterilize them.
7. Glass Baby Food Storage Containers
- Food Safe & BPA Free
- Measurement Mark & Easy Labeling
- Leakproof & Multipurpose
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Since it’s only a matter of time before your baby starts eating solid foods, maybe you would like to consider containers where you can store your breast milk but also baby food?
There are 12 glass jars in this bundle and each has a volume of 4 ounces. Whether you’re freezing your breast milk or baby food, these jars will do a great job of keeping their contents fresh.
8. Medela Breastmilk Collection Storage Feeding Bottle
- 16-Pack sealed breast milk collection and storage bottle with lid - size 8 oz/ 250 ml
- Bottles are compatible with all Medela breast pumps. Milk can be expressed and pumped directly into the container.
- Easy to read measurement in ounces (oz.) and millimeters (mm). Reusable bottles. Resistant to scratches, cracking and splintering.
- Bottles fit Medela container stand. Dishwasher and microwave safe
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For Medela pump owners, this container set will be a great option. You will get 16 containers that have a volume of 8 ounces each, so they are a great replacement for milk storage bags.
They are safe to put in a freezer and won’t be damaged by low temperatures, plus the measuring line makes it easy for you to see how much milk you’ve pumped.
9. Kiinde Twist Pouch
- Pouches twist lock onto pumps from ALL major manufacturers (using the appropriate adapter, sold separately)
- Pouches and caps are recycleable after use, eliminating dirty dishes
- Secure threaded cap elminates the risk of leakage
- High visibility surface for easy labeling. Bags are pre-sterilized.
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A combination of a breast milk container and bag, Kiinde Twist pouches allow you to pump your milk into the pouch and then place into the fridge or freezer to give to your baby later.
Available in 6-ounce and 8-ounce packs, these bags do a great job of preventing spillage and keeping germs away from your precious milk.
The pouches also include a measuring line so you can keep track of your milk output. Just a heads up, though – you can’t reuse them!
10. Maymom Wide-Mouth Milk Storage Collection Bottle
- WHAT YOU GET: 6x collection (storage) bottles. 4.7oz/140ml. NO NIPPLES are included in this purchase. They are wide-neck collection bottles for Avent manual, Avent Electric Breastpump , Spectra s2, Spectra s1, Spectra 9plus pumps.
- 100% LEAK PROOF & 5-mL FINE MEASUREMENT MARKS . Incl. silicone SureSeal (TM) sealing disc so no leak at all; The bottle has 5-mL incremental measurement marks. You know exactly how much milk you have produced.
- BALL-PEN WRITEABLE TOP - the SureSeal silicone top can be marked with a ball-pen, and removed with soapy water. You can date the bottle to know the age of the contained milk, or name the bottle so no mix-up in the daycare refrigerator;
- BOTTLE COMPATIBLE WITH NIPPLES AND RINGS of AVENT NATURAL, AVENT CLASSIC, and SPECTRA BOTTLES. Pump directly into these the bottles, so no transfers of breastmilk, and so No Waste of milk.
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Finally, the last recommendation on my list are Maymom containers. Moms who own a Philips Avent or a Spectra pump will love them!
They are plastic and BPA-free. For cleaning, you can wash them by hand, pop them in the dishwasher, or even use a bottle sterilizer to get rid of any and all bacteria. Their wide design is also very convenient.
Maymom has made freezing breast milk really easy since you can use a pencil to write the date down on the top of the lids, so you will know when you pumped the milk.
All in all, these are great breast milk collection containers that you will be able to fit in a breast milk cooler bag together with an ice pack when you’re on the go.
Breast milk storage tips for new moms
Until your little one is old enough to eat baby food, your breast milk will be her primary source of nutrition, especially in the first year of her life.
This is why you should keep track of all breast milk storage guidelines:
• Keep breast milk at room temperature for a maximum of 4 hours.
• It can stay in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days.
• Breast milk can be frozen between 6 to 12 months.
• According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should use the oldest frozen milk first.
• When warming the milk, place the container in a bottle warmer or in a pot of warm water.
• Thawing frozen milk can be done by placing the container in the fridge and letting it thaw slowly or by using a pot of warm water.
• Once you thaw your milk, don’t put it back in the freezer.
• After you warm the baby’s milk, give it to her within 2 hours.
• When storing your milk in the fridge, it’s best to place it in a separate food storage container so that it can’t come in contact with other foods in the fridge.
• Never use a microwave when thawing or warming up milk because microwaves don’t distribute warmth evenly and this could create hot spots in the milk that could burn your baby.
• If you are going to freeze your milk, never fill the container or storage bag to the brim but leave some space – freezing causes the milk to expand.
• Always label the bag or container with the date of pumping so it’s easier to keep track of your milk supply.
These guidelines only apply to full-term infants, so if your baby was a preemie, different rules might apply.
Final thoughts
Were you able to find your perfect breast milk storage container? I definitely hope so! Make sure you double-check whether you pump fits with your container of choice to avoid disappointment.
If you have decided on a plastic container, remember to look up if it’s BPA-free as you don’t want any harmful chemicals to come into contact with your little one’s milk.
Since you will want to sterilize them from time to time, it’s important that the container can withstand extreme temperatures without getting damaged.
Even though it may seem like you don’t need containers when breast milk bags are available, I guarantee that once you get them, you won’t ever go back.
References:
“Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk” published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on January 22, 2020. Accessed August 19, 2020.
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