Feeding journeys look different for every family, and that’s why we’ve joined forces with Pippeta, experts in all things breastfeeding, to share practical tips on expressing, storing, and warming milk safely whenever it feels right for you and your family.
Why You Might Introduce a Breast Pump
For many families, using a breast pump provides a little more freedom and flexibility, without losing the benefits of breast milk. It can:
-
Help build a supply for later feeds or when you’re away from your baby.
-
Give you breathing space during the tiring newborn days.
-
Encourage co-parenting/feeding, as partners or another caregiver can help with 1-2 bottles a day.
-
Ease the transition when returning to work or being apart from your little one.
Some parents choose or need to exclusively pump for a variety of reasons. Their baby may be premature or have difficulty latching, making direct breastfeeding challenging. Others may return to work or have health conditions that make regular feeding at the breast difficult. A reliable breast pump allows them to provide breast milk consistently, maintain their supply, and support their baby’s nutritional needs, even when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible.
Pippeta offers a whole range of handsfree breast pumps which are discreet, compact and perfect for busy families on the go. All Pippeta breast pumps come with free lactation support meaning you get free access to expert advice when you need it the most.
How to Pump Breast Milk
A few simple steps can make pumping smoother and more effective:
-
Start with clean hands and ensure your pump parts are sterilised.
-
Find a comfortable spot and position: Stress and tension can impact milk let-down, so being relaxed and comfortable is key.
-
Flange size is really important: the right fit keeps pumping comfortable and helps you express more efficiently, supporting a better milk output.
-
Transfer milk straight away into clean, sterilised storage bags or bottles.
Storing Breast Milk Safely
Freshly expressed milk can be safely stored for different lengths of time, depending on where it’s kept:
-
At room temperature (up to 25°C): around 4 hours.
-
In the fridge (4°C or colder): up to 4 days.
-
In the freezer (-18°C or colder): ideally up to 6 months.
-
Store away from meat products, eggs or any uncooked foods. Store at the back of the fridge and not in the door.
-
Fill the container leaving roughly one inch empty at the top, since breast milk increases in volume when frozen.
-
It's perfectly normal for the cream and milk to naturally separate while stored.
Top tip: Always label each bag or bottle with the date it was expressed and use the oldest milk first. This helps reduce waste and makes feeding easier to plan.
Pippeta offers a comprehensive range of breastfeeding accessories including various milk storage solutions to help mothers safely collect, store, and preserve breast milk. These storage options typically feature breast milk storage bags that are designed to be leak-proof and freezer-safe, allowing mothers to build up a supply of milk for times when they're away from their baby or need to supplement feeding schedules.
Warming Breast Milk
When it’s time for your baby’s feed:
-
Thaw frozen milk safely, ideally overnight in the fridge, or by placing the sealed bag in a bowl of warm water. (This usually takes around 12 hours)
-
Warm gently until it reaches body temperature.
-
Swirl, don’t shake, this keeps the natural nutrients intact.
-
Avoid microwaving. It can create hot spots and reduce the quality of your milk.
For peace of mind, tools like the Baby Brezza Bottle Warmers are designed to make the process safer and easier. Unlike steam-only warmers, which can overheat and reduce nutrients, the Bottle & Breastmilk Warmer uses a gentle water bath mode called Steady Warm to evenly warm or defrost breastmilk, preserving all the important nutrients your baby needs.
For busy families on the go, the Baby Brezza SuperFast Portable Bottle Warmer is one of the fastest on the market, warming breastmilk storage bags 3 minutes quicker than other models. Perfect for days out, traveling, or feeding during a night away from home.
Both products eliminate the guesswork, giving you confidence that every bottle is safe, consistent, and at the perfect temperature.
Every family’s feeding journey is unique, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re expressing occasionally or building a full freezer stash, remember that every drop counts. With the right tools and a little routine, pumping, storing, and warming milk can become a seamless part of your day.
At Baby Brezza and Pippeta, we’re proud to support you with safe, practical solutions that help make parent life just a little easier, so you can spend more time enjoying the moments that matter most.
If you're looking to make the most of your sterilising routine, especially when it comes to pump parts, check out Pippeta’s detailed guide on sterilising and storing bottles and pump parts. It goes deeper into the best practices for safe and effective sterilisation and storage.
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
family