While it may seem like any container in your kitchen can make do, Leigh Anne O’Connor, IBCLC, LCCE, recommends bags that “attach easily to the pump, have a good and easy seal, and feature BPA-free plastic.” Take into account how often you personally pump, which will influence the budget you have as well as the bag’s capacity (though most will have a maximum capacity of 6 ounces). Equally important is pre-sterilization and a secure closure type, to minimize waste. We carefully considered design, material, value, ease of cleaning, pumping compatibility, and and capacity when reviewing products. No matter where you are on your feeding journey, these are the best breast milk storage bags on the market. For added convenience, you can pump directly into these bags, so there are no extra bottles to wash. If you use a Lansinoh pump, then you’re all set. If you use another brand, you can still pump directly into the bags, you’ll just need to use an adapter (sold separately). Price at time of publication: $15 Women say these extra-thick, BPA-free bags are sturdy, and countless satisfied customers say double-zipper closure means they never leak. They also like the fact that they lie flat in the freezer, which means you can store more in a smaller area. You can’t pump directly into these bags, but their high quality makes them worth the extra steps for many. Price at time of publication: $11 These bags aren’t designed to be pumped into directly, but for simple storage, women say they’re great. They say the material is strong, and they feel confident storing their precious breast milk in these bags. While bags are labeled to hold 6 ounces, many women report you can actually get much more than that in them. Price at time of publication: $17 Women say they’re convenient and well-made, and it’s a bit perplexing why more bags don’t come with a similar spout. Some report leaks with these bags and they only hold 5 ounces, so if you’re pumping a lot of milk they may not be the best choice. Overall, however, most women give these bags a glowing review. Hundreds of women give these bags a top rating. They say they’re durable and don’t leak at all, and they love the bigger size as it means using fewer bags overall. While they’re a bit more expensive than traditional bags, thousands of women say they’re worth it. While some say the twist caps take up more freezer space and make them more difficult to organize, most say the ease of use makes up for that. Price at time of publication: $28 They’re not designed for direct pumping, and some women report that they don’t stand up well when filling. Overall, however, most women say they’re a solid, affordable option for safely storing breast milk. Price at time of publication: $13 You may consider buying in bulk, as the amount of bags you use definitely adds up over time, so even a $.10 difference in price per bag can make a huge impact on your wallet
Capacity
How much milk do you tend to output in a single session? Some women get one or two ounces in a single session while others can seem to produce more milk than they know what to do with. Based on your personal supply, consider whether a six ounce bag would be sufficient or if you need something that can hold eight ounces. Or, maybe you want to get a few different sizes so that you are prepared no matter what. Regardless, be sure to pay attention to how much the bags can hold and consider that amount in relation to your standard output. The Cleveland Clinic recommends storing milk in small, two to four ounce portions, especially for infants less than six weeks old. Smaller increments can help reduce waste once defrosted and speed up warming time.Closure Type There is a reason they call breast milk “liquid gold” and the last thing you want is for your milk storage bag to start leaking, wasting all of that goodness. This means you want to look for a durable storage bag that’s designated for breast milk, doesn’t tear at the seams easily, and closes tightly. The most common closure types are twist top, single zip, and double zip. None of these styles are guaranteed spill-proof, but, depending on the brand, some are more reliable than others. When you’re shopping for a breast milk storage bag, read over some customer reviews to see whether or not other users have had frequent issues with leaking or adequately sealing the bag.
Material
Most breast milk storage bags tend to be made of plastic, and it’s an especially budget-friendly material. While it may be tempting to reach for any plastic container you have lying around, the best options are designed specifically to hold breast milk. If you do decide to go with plastic, make sure the bag is BPA-free (look for bags without the recycle symbol 7). Storage bags tend to be the most prone to leakage compared to plastic or glass containers, so take into account details like secure closure types, double zippers, and extra thickness.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products. Carefully following timing rules helps prevent the opportunity for bacteria to multiply, and to be extra safe, make sure not to refreeze breast milk and to limit its exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
You should look closely at the manufacturer’s information to determine whether or not the bags are reusable. And if they are, DeWeese notes that even those can only be used a certain number of times before they need to be replaced. Some options are even recyclable so you can feel better about single-use bags. Based on your personal supply or preferences, you may choose to pump regularly, or only occasionally. If you choose to exclusively pump, and have a newborn, aim to pump every few hours, up to 12 times a day. As your baby grows older, expect them to need a larger supply and more spaced out pumping sessions. When baby reaches six months old, they will need between 36 and 48 ounces per day. For another defrosting method, you can also heat water in a pan and after removing from the stove, place the container inside. Before giving the milk to your little one, always test the temperature to make sure it’s not too hot. You can also wait for the milk to cool down to room temperature, though this may not be up to your baby’s preferences. Once the breast milk has thawed, make sure to use it all in one sitting, or within two hours. Additional reporting by Tori Zhou.
