Don’t cry over spilled milk! Read on for our expert picks on the best brands of breast milk storage bags and containers so that you can avoid those leaks, spills and make the most out of your milk! Our guide also includes all the information you need to start storing your breast milk today – including how to freeze and thaw breast milk, expert tips, plus so much more.
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Breast Milk Storage Bags and Containers
When you consider all the time you spend pumping, labeling, storing, cleaning, and thawing breast milk, you want to ensure that you’re doing it correctly and as efficiently as possible.
But how exactly should you store breast milk? Do you really need bags and containers specifically for breast milk? And can you reuse those storage bags?
We’ll help answer your questions and more. We’ve compiled our top 6 breast milk bags and containers for keeping your breast milk safe, secure, and fresh for your baby, whether in the fridge or freezer.
If you are looking for more easy and healthy recipes to support you while breastfeeding, then check out our Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies, reader’s favorite Lactation Brownies and Lactation Energy Bites, or this entire guide on the Best Foods to Eat While Breastfeeding. You can also find more recipes and information in my best-selling cookbook Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
What to Look for in Breastmilk Storage Bags
Depending on your personal needs, there may be certain factors that you’ll want to look for in breast milk storage bags (ie. do you want bags that let you pump directly into them instead of having to transfer the milk from bottle to bag?). However, here are a few important tips you’ll want to consider, no matter what your situation:
- Food-grade plastic or silicone, BPA-free and FDA-approved: This one’s non-negotiable. It’s not recommended to store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags designed for general household use.
- Durability: A durable, thicker material will be leak-proof and puncture-proof when stored in your fridge or freezer. A durable, sturdier bag should also have double zipper seals or be able to stand upright for your convenience when pouring milk in.
- Safety or tamper-resistant seal: A firm seal that you have to remove prior to use ensures that the bag is clean and uncontaminated.
- Storage capacity: Choosing a bag that has the capability and measurements listed to store both smaller (2-4 ounces) and larger amounts (6-8 ounces) can be helpful as your baby and their appetite grows.
- Adapters: Some pumps will have the option to use an adapter to pump directly into the bags. While some moms find this process much easier, it’s not a deal breaker for other moms. However, you’ll have to check and ensure the storage bag and breast pump brand are compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breast milk storage bags are typically made of sturdy, food-grade, BPA-free plastic. Good quality storage bags will prevent leaking, lay flat for more efficient storage, and offer adequate space for labeling.
Although there are other ways to store breast milk, purchasing breast milk bags are one of those items that most parents agree are definitely worth it. They’re leak-proof, BPA-free, thicker, and can be used to freeze, thaw, and warm milk. These bags take up less space in your fridge or freezer compared to bottles or food containers and provide the most efficient way to store a surplus of breast milk.
Most regular plastic milk storage bags that come in large quantities are designed for single use only. However, silicone breast milk storage bags can be reused several times when cleaned and sterilized properly.
Similar to storing breast milk in any other container, breast milk in storage bags can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours and in the fridge for up to 4 days. Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months, although it’s best used within 6 months of freezing.
Top 6 Breast Milk Storage Bags & Containers
- Nanobebe Breastmilk Storage Bags & Organizer
- Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Momcozy Breastmilk Storing Bags
- Medela Breast Milk Storage System
- Nuliie 7 Pcs Silicone Breastmilk Reusable Storage Bags
- Momcozy Silicone Milk Reusable Storage Bag
How to Freeze & Thaw Breast Milk
It’s important to follow recommended storage and preparation techniques to maintain the safety and quality of breast milk.
How to Freeze Breast Milk
- Wash your hands and make sure all storage containers are clean.
- Label the date the breast milk was expressed on each container and include your child’s name if the bags will be used at daycare.
- Pour freshly expressed breast milk into storage bags or containers, making sure to leave about one inch of space at the top of the container, as breast milk expands as it freezes.
- Start with breast milk in small batches, such as 2-4 ounces to prevent waste.
- Store bags in the back of the freezer, not the door.
How to Thaw Breast Milk
- Always thaw the oldest breast milk first, as the quality of breast milk can decrease over time. A good rule is “first in, first out.”
- There are several ways to thaw breast milk:
- In the fridge overnight
- In a container of warm or lukewarm water
- Under lukewarm running water
- Never thaw or heat breast milk in the microwave. Microwaving can destroy nutrients in breast milk and create hot spots, which can burn baby’s mouth.
- If you thaw breast milk in the fridge, use it within 24 hours. Start counting the 24 hours when the breast milk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer.
- Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.
- Never refreeze breast milk after it has thawed.
Reusable vs. Single-Use
Choosing reusable versus single-use breast milk containers will be a choice that’s unique for each mom. Most experts recommend that food-grade plastic bags (those that come in quantities of 50+) should not be reused, as they cannot become completely sterilized again. This can increase the risk of bacteria developing in breast milk.
If you want safer reusable options, look for storage bags made with materials like silicone. These products must be clearly labeled as reusable, and parents should carefully follow the instructions to use them safely.
Expert Tips
- Place breast milk bags or containers in the back of the fridge or freezer, where the temperature is the coolest.
- Do not store breast milk in the door of the fridge or freezer. This will help protect the breast milk from temperature changes from the door opening and closing.
- If you don’t think you will use freshly expressed breast milk within 4 days, freeze it immediately. This will help to protect the quality of breast milk.
- Store small amounts to avoid wasting milk that might not be finished. Start with 2-4 ounces or the amount typically offered at one feeding.
Key features
- Each bag stores up to 5 ounces of breast milk
- Bags stack flat in organizer to maximize space in freezer or fridge
- Made of extra thick, pre-sterilized medical grade BPA-free material that won’t puncture or tear
- Available in packs of 25, 50 or 100 bags
Why Our Experts Love It
We love that these bags both freeze and thaw very quickly in warm water. Plus, you can conveniently stack the storage bags flat and evenly to reduce clutter in the freezer and keep track of your pumping order.
Pros – made of high quality, thick, medical grade BPA- free material, freezes and thaws quickly, easy to use with organizer, easy-pour opening, recyclable
Cons – some reviewers have found that the bags can become bulky and may not lay and freeze as flat due to the thicker plastic, maximum capacity of 5 ounces
Key features
- Available in 4-ounce or 6-ounce capacity
- Double-sealed side seams and a double zipper to protect and freeze milk
- Pre-sterilized, BPA/BPS-free with a tamper-evident, fully sealed tear-away top
- Can pump directly into bags using a Lansinoh pump or most major pump brands using the pump-into-bag adapter (sold separately)
- Available in packs of 25, 50, 75, or 100 bags
Why Our Experts Love It
We love how well these bags freeze flat and even throughout the length of the bag. An added bonus is that these bags are recyclable! You can bring them to the plastic bag recycling center at local stores.
Pros – easy to tell when the double zipper is closed; the bigger (6 oz) size is great for older babies that drink larger volumes, freezes evenly and lays flat, and it has ability to pump into the bags using most major pump brands using an adapter
Cons – these bags can be tricky to stand upright while pouring milk in, as they’re made of a thinner plastic compared to other bags
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
Lansinoh’s breast milk storage bags are ideal for storing, freezing, and protecting your precious breast milk. Built super strong, Lansinoh’s breastmilk bags come with a double zipper seal to help prevent leaks and reinforced double-sealed side seams for ultimate protection.
Key features
- TEMP-Sensing Discoloration allows you to know real-time milk temperature
- Double zipper seal and double seamed sides, BPA-free
- Each bag stores up to 6 ounces of milk
- Available in packs of 50, 120 or 200 bags
Why Our Experts Love It
We love these Momcozy breast milk storage bags with their TEMP-Sensing Discoloration markers – purple means milk is cold, blue means optimum feeding temperature, and white is hot. We also love the import/export separation design – open the sealing strip when pouring in the milk, and when it’s time to use, cut along the convenient cutting line at the bottom and pour out the milk.
Pros – freezes flat, temperature sensors, easy to cut open, holds a good amount of milk
Cons – not self-standing, which can make pouring difficult; bags are not recyclable
Momcozy Breastmilk Storing Bags
You’ll love these Momcozy breast milk storage bags. Their temp sensing feature shows real time milk temperature, and double zipper seal and seamed sides mean no leaks.
Key features
- Includes (3) 5 ounce bottles with nipples, collars, and caps, (6) 2.7 ounce bottles with lids and (25) 6 ounce breast milk storage bags
- Durable double-layer material with a double zipper seal, BPA-free
- Compatible with all Medela breast pumps, except for Single Deluxe
Why Our Experts Love It
We love the Medela breast milk storage system for its ability to store, transport, and warm breast milk in containers of a variety of types and sizes for your baby’s changing feeding needs. We also appreciate that the whole package is very affordable.
Pros – double layer material and built-in double zipper to prevent leaks, bottles are dishwasher-safe, set includes a variety of sizes and types of storage containers to help throughout the length of your breastfeeding journey
Cons – breast milk storage bags are not recyclable
Medela Breast Milk Storage System
Medela’s breast milk storage system is designed for collecting, storing, and feeding your breast milk to your little one. Two convenient bottle sizes are included, as well as additional accessories, for a full breast milk storage system ideal for all moms.
Key features
- Set of 7 reusable storage bags
- Each bag stores up to 8 ounces of milk
- Made of food-grade thick silicone, completely free of BPA, lead, PVC and phthalates
- Double seals to prevent leaks
- Wide mouth design is easy to use and clean
Why Our Experts Love It
We love just how strong and durable these reusable silicone storage bags are. They are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. And these multipurpose bags can also be used to store many other food items, such as fruit, veggies or snacks.
Pros – reusable material is environmentally friendly, saves money compared to buying disposable storage bags, dishwasher safe, comes with label stickers to keep track of date and time, holds a larger volume
Cons – you’ll likely need at least 2-3 sets of these bags for breast milk, and if you’re planning to build a large freezer stash of milk, you’ll need even more sets or may want to supplement with single use bags, you’ll need to buy additional labels for dating the bags once you run out of the original labels
Nuliie 7 Pcs Silicone Breastmilk Reusable Storage Bags
This set of 7 reusable breast milk storage bags are made with 100% food-grade thick silicone and are completely free of BPA, lead, PVC, and phthalates. These Nuliie bags are a great option for storage bags that can be used multiple times, saving you money.
Key features
- Set of 5 reusable silicone storage bags
- Made of food-grade silicone material, BPA-free
- Each bag stores up to 8 ounces of milk
- Twist on/off knob cap design creates a strong, leak-proof seal and is easy to pour milk from
- dishwasher and microwave safe
Why Our Experts Love It
We love the quality and versatility of these storage bags – you can store liquid, purees, snacks, etc. You can also easily turn it into other storage bags, as well as ice packs or hand warmers. The knob cap design creates a strong seal to prevent leaks and spills and is also connected to the storage bag, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing it.
Pros – reusable bag is environmentally friendly and saves money compared to single use bags, stores a larger volume, knob cap is easy to pour from and has a wide mouth opening, compatible with bottle warmers, comes with labels
Cons – again, as with the previous set of silicone reusable bags, you’ll likely need at least 2-3 sets of these, and even more if you’re planning to build a large freezer stash of milk, you’ll need to buy additional labels for dating the bags once you run out of the labels that come with it
Momcozy Silicone Milk Reusable Storage Bags
These reusable storage bags from Momcozy have a unique knob cap design for a strong seal to prevent leaks and spills. Their multifunctional use works well for breast milk, other liquids, purees, and other foods as well.