How long can breast milk be stored at room temperature? The correct posture for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding or formula feeding is a choice for new mothers. But there is no doubt that breastfeeding is the most suitable food for babies! Mothers who insist on breastfeeding often encounter such doubts, such as how long can breast milk be stored? What is the most correct feeding posture? Today, we will answer them for you here.

How long to store breast milk at room temperature:

* Colostrum (milk expressed within 6 days after birth) - can be stored at room temperature of 27-32 degrees Celsius for 12 hours

* Mature breast milk (milk expressed after 6 days after birth) - can be stored at 15 degrees Celsius for 24 hours, 19-22 degrees Celsius for 10 hours, and 25 degrees Celsius for 6 hours

Refrigerator storage: 0-4 degrees Celsius can be stored for 8 days 3. Frozen storage: Breast milk frozen storage is related to the freezer conditions -

* If it is a small freezer box in the refrigerator, the shelf life is two weeks;

* If the freezer is separate from the refrigerator, but the door is frequently opened and closed to take items out, the shelf life is 3-4 months;

* If it is in a deep freezer, the temperature is kept below 0 degrees and the door is not opened often, the shelf life can be more than 6 months.

It is best to use plastic products that are suitable for freezing and have good sealing. Glass products are the second best. Metal products are best not used because the active factors in breast milk will adhere to glass or metal, thereby reducing the nutrients in breast milk. Stored breast milk will decompose and look a little blue, yellow or brown. This is normal. When thawing frozen breast milk, you should first rinse the sealed bag with cold water, and gradually add hot water until the breast milk is completely thawed and reaches a suitable feeding temperature. Do not heat breast milk directly on the stove or microwave, as this will destroy the nutrients in the breast milk.

Four feeding positions

There are four breastfeeding positions: cradle, olive (embracing), cross, and side-lying.

Cradle

(1) Cradle position: This is the most traditional position. Support the baby's head with the inside of one arm and place the other hand on the breast and areola. Put a cushion under the baby to make breastfeeding easier.

Cross

(2) Cross position: Compared with the cradle position, the baby's body is tilted slightly so that the angle of the baby's mouth will change when the baby is feeding, making it easier to suck milk.

Football style (hug style)

(3) Rugby style (embracing style): This breastfeeding position is particularly suitable for mothers who have undergone cesarean section, as it can prevent the baby from pressing on the mother's abdominal incision. It is also suitable for mothers with large breasts, small babies or those who are feeding twins. Just like holding a rugby ball under the armpit, use your arms to hold the baby's legs and place them under the armpit on the side of the body. The baby's upper body is in a semi-sitting position facing the mother's chest. Use a pillow to properly raise the baby, support the baby's head with your palm, and spread your other fingers in an "eight-shaped" shape and place them on the nipple and areola.

Side lying

(4) Side-lying position: This position is suitable for nighttime breastfeeding. The baby lies on his side with a pillow under his head. The baby lies on his side facing the mother, with their abdomens pressed together. In order to ensure that the baby and mother are closely attached, it is best to use a small pillow to cushion the baby's back.

Which is more nutritious, formula or breast milk?

Truth: There is no substitute for breast milk

Breast milk is the most ideal food for a baby after birth. It not only meets the baby's nutritional needs, but also prevents a variety of diseases. For example, babies who grow up drinking breast milk are much less likely to develop allergies, severe diarrhea, otitis media, and diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure in the future than babies who drink formula milk.

Infant formula is a breast milk substitute that roughly simulates the nutritional composition of breast milk by adding appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to ordinary milk powder. However, infant formula cannot provide enzymes, antibodies, growth factors and many other precious ingredients that are only found in breast milk.

Research shows that there are approximately 400 nutrients in breast milk that are not found in formula.