Best Breast Milk Storage Bags in 2021

For many first time moms, breastfeeding proves a steep learning curve. Just because it is natural doesn’t mean that breastfeeding is easy. Whether you are pumping exclusively, breastfeeding exclusively or are planning to get back to work, storing breast milk is important. Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Breast milk storage bags offer an affordable and easy solution to storing as well as organizing breast milk.

With so many breast milk storage bags on the market, finding something that suits your needs can prove a daunting task. Many of them have labels that you can write on and although they may have similarities, there are distinct differences between them. Such include variations in design and materials used, which in turn affect performance and reliability.

Top 5 Best Breast Milk Storage Bags

How to buy breast milk storage bag

There are many factors that one should consider when choosing a breast milk storage bag. These serve as guidelines to help you avoid poor quality products and find something that suits your needs. Such considerations include:

Durability

It is hard to know how thick the plastic storage bags are when shopping online. A good way to get around this issue to read to product specifications as well as customer reviews. This will provide an insight into the quality of a product and whether it tears easily causing leakage or spillage.

Safety

It is important to ensure that the product you purchase meets the minimum safety requirements.

Price

This is determined by the number of bags you wish to purchase at a time. And while buying in bulk will save you money, it is important to remember that this isn’t always the case due to lower counts per pack.

Seal

Consider purchasing something with a double zipper if you are going to cry over spilled milk. Zipper lock style locks are quite common but you can also opt for secure screw cap types. Whatever lock type you choose, be sure to avoid tag and tie seals as they are usually made from thin material and have a tendency to cause spillage.

Collection

You have two main options when it comes to filling storage bags i.e. pump into a bottle then decant in a bag or pump directly into a bag. Some models will allow for attachment to an opening, adapter or a handle.

Ease of use

You will need this space saving bag as it will be easy to store. A bag with thick seams will be useful for thawing as the seams will accommodate the expansion, thus the bag won’t bust easily. It’s also important to look for labeling to make writing easy as well as a pouring spout for transferring the milk from the bag to a feeding bottle.

Guidelines to storing breast milk

As a general rule, breast milk should be stored depending on when you will need it i.e. up to 8 hours at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator and 12 months in the freezer. When the time comes to introduce your baby to solid food, consider mixing the oldest dated breast milk with food to thin out. This makes it safer for the baby to swallow.

Best breast milk storage bags reviewed

Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags

These bags freeze flat and as such, you can store plenty of milk without taking up too much space in the freezer. They come with a double zipper, which helps minimize leakage of milk. You will love the fact that each Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bag can hold up to 60 oz of milk, which is all that’s needed for a single serving. It is also equipped with an easy to pour design, which comes handy when transferring the milk to a feeding bottle.

Another notable feature of these bags is the tissue style dispenser that houses the not-yet used milk bags. It is easy to pull out a bag when you need it as well. We love the fact that these bags are BPA-free and pre-sterilized to ensure safety for children. They have a tamper-evident seal as well as a puncture resistant space for labeling. Lansinoh breast milk storage bags are available in 25, 50 and 100 counts.

Tommee Tippee Pump & Go System

If you are a busy mom who is always on the go, the Tommee Tippee Pump and Go System will prove a worthy investment. The system comes with a hard case milk storage box that holds up to twelve pumped milk bags. Our favorite feature of this system is the milk warmer which has a sleek design and doesn’t take up much space. You can use to safely warm milk from the refrigerator or freezer. The warmer reduces the risk of overheating the milk and destroying vital nutrients as well as accidentally scalding your baby’s mouth.

The Pump 7 Go pouches come pre-sterilized and you only have to use one to pump, store, warm and feed without worrying about transfers or waste. In addition, the breast milk case allows for lightweight, compact storage in the freezer and fridge.
Other features of this system include a breast pump adapter set that connects with Tommee Tippee, Ameda, Lansinoh, Philips Avent and Medela. There is also an instruction leaflet, a Closer to Nature 5oz feeding bottle, two extra slow flow nipples, as well as two breast milk pouch bottle with slow flow nipples.

Kiinde Twist Breast Milk Storage Pouches

What sets the Kiinde Twist Kit from other breast milk storage kits is the ability to express directly into the freezer pouch, thus eliminating the need for storage cups or bottles. It comes with various adapters that allow you to attach a breast pump from other brands to a freezer pouch. The pouches are of good size and can accommodate a whole serving. The fact that they stand upright when filled with milk makes it easy for one to know how much milk has been dispensed.

This kit comes with a Twist Natural Feeding Bottle, into which the pouches fit nicely when it’s time to feed your baby. The pouch clicks into place and all you have to do to feed your little one is attach the nipple. Kiinde Twist Starter Kit comes with three nipples i.e. a fast-flow, a medium-flow and a slow-flow for babies of varying ages. Other components that make up this kit include two nipple brushes, a warmer, a Keeper breast milk holder and organizer, and ten direct pump adapters.

Philips Avent Breast Milk Storage Bags

What we love most about Philips Avent storage bags are the tear off sterile strips. The first tear opens the bag and leaves a sterile funnel that allows you to transfer milk into a bottle without worrying about spillage. When it comes to storage, the bags can be kept standing or lying flat. These bags come with a double zipper that prevents leakage and allows safe storage of your breast milk. The tamper evident seal comes pre-sterilized for complete hygiene while the dual layered material and reinforced seams provide added assurance that your milk will be safe in the refrigerator or freezer. A wide opening makes filling and pouring of breast milk.

Ameda Store ‘N Pour Breast Milk Storage Bag

The Ameda N Pour Breast Milk Storage Bag is a unique product that stands out from the rest in many ways. It is designed to be strong to prevent breaking or cracking when the bag is frozen. One of the main advantages is that collection of milk is easy as it can be pumped directly into the bags. A secure zipper closure ensures that leakage and spillage doesn’t occur while the BPA-free nature of the material serves as an assurance that the product is safe for your little one.

Conclusion

There are many factors that go into choosing a breast milk storage bag ranging from capacity and collection method to closure type and ease of use. The most important thing is to ensure that whatever you buy is pre-sterilized and BPA-free.