Health Tip: Store Breast Milk Safely

(HealthDay News) -- Breast milk must be pumped and stored properly to be safe for your baby.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these suggestions for handling and storing breast milk:

• Wash your hands before expressing breast milk, making sure all pump parts are properly cleaned and milk is stored in clean bottles.

• Always refrigerate breast milk and use within four days. Or freeze the milk for later use.

• Put dates on stored breast milk and use the oldest first. Store in 2 oz. to 4 oz. servings.

• Throw away any milk left in the bottle after a feeding.

• Never thaw breast milk in a microwave; thaw on a stovetop, under running water or in the refrigerator.

• Don't refreeze breast milk. Use within 24 hours of thawing.