Expressedmaitoa

Expressedmaitoa, or expressed breast milk, is breast milk that has been removed from the breast for later feeding. It can be collected by hand expression or with a breast pump and stored to feed the infant when direct breastfeeding is not possible.

People express milk for a variety of reasons, including returning to work or caregiving outside the home, medical issues affecting the lactating person, or to relieve engorgement and maintain milk supply. Expressed milk can be fed to the infant via bottle, cup, or other feeding methods, and it provides the same nutrients and immune factors as milk given at the breast.

To obtain and store it safely, wash hands, clean pumping equipment, and use clean containers. Label containers with date and time and store in measured portions to minimize waste. Use ready-to-feed containers when possible and avoid cross-contamination between different batches of milk.

Storage guidelines (typical): room temperature about 20-25°C up to 4 hours; refrigeration at 4°C for up to 4 days; freezing at -18°C or colder for 6-12 months (best within 6-12 months). Thaw in the refrigerator or under warm running water; do not refreeze after thawing. Heat milk just before feeding and avoid microwaves. Once warmed, use within about 2 hours and discard any leftovers.

Safety: discard milk with sour smell, off texture, or unusual appearance. Do not mix freshly expressed milk with previously frozen milk after thawing. For questions about storage times or special circumstances, consult a healthcare provider. Some regions offer milk banks that pasteurize donated expressed milk for vulnerable infants.