Breast Milk Storage Chart Printable (Free Guide for New Moms!)

Last updated June 2nd, 2025 at 08:07 pm

If you’re storing breastmilk and not sure how long it lasts, this breast milk storage chart printable is a must-have. Keep it on your fridge or freezer for a quick reference to safe storage times, plus helpful tips for new moms!

If you’re building your breast milk stash and trying to keep track of it all—welcome, new moms! I know firsthand how precious every drop of liquid gold is, especially when you’ve pumped in the middle of the night or battled a power outage panic. That’s why I created this breast milk storage chart printable to keep things easy and organized.

Whether you’re prepping for the next feeding, heading back to work, or just trying to figure out the best way to store breastmilk, having a quick reference guide is a game changer. Below, you’ll find helpful information, proper breast milk storage tips, and a printable PDF chart you can tape to your fridge or freezer.

Why a Breast Milk Storage Chart is a Lifesaver for New Parents

Navigating the world of human milk storage guidelines can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re pumping several times a day and storing in different containers, bags, and locations. There are so many questions: How long can fresh milk stay out at room temperature? Can I mix warm milk with cold milk? Where’s the safest place to store milk during a power outage?

Trust me—I’ve been there. Our son was born over 5 weeks early and spent time in the NICU. I became an almost exclusive pumper overnight. (You can read more about that here if you’re curious!) During that time, my milk supply was fragile and fluctuating. I treated every drop of precious milk with care, so having simple guidelines taped up was the easiest way to avoid waste.

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines (at a Glance)

Use these general guidelines for storing expressed milk safely:

Note: For premature infants or medically fragile babies, always follow American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. Check with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant for recommendations based on your baby’s health.

Tape the printable breast milk storage chart to your fridge, freezer, or pumping cart so caretakers of breastfed infants—like grandparents or babysitters—can access it easily!

Best Way to Store Breastmilk (Without Losing Your Mind)

Here’s how to keep your milk supply organized with less stress and less waste:

1. Label Everything

Always write the amount of milk, date, and time on your breastmilk storage bag or plastic container. This helps you use the oldest milk first.

2. Use Clean Containers

Whether you’re using baby bottles, reusable containers, or breast milk storage bags, be sure to clean all breast pump parts and containers with warm soapy water. Then you MUST sterilize all your parts and bottles. I also use cool running water to rinse, followed by warm running water when washing.

3. Store in Small Amounts

2–4 ounce increments are perfect for most feeds and reduce waste if your baby doesn’t finish a full bottle. Especially helpful for new moms figuring out how much milk baby needs!

4. Back of the Fridge or Freezer = Best Spot

Always store breastmilk in the back of the fridge or back of the freezer—not the door. The temperature fluctuates more near the door and can affect nutrient values and nutritional value.

5. Be Ready for On-the-Go Storage

Use an insulated cooler with freezer packs when transporting milk. Whether you’re heading to daycare or navigating TSA, this keeps your breast milk stash safe. And yes—TSA officers must allow breastmilk through security, even without your baby present. There are also really cool thermoses you can use to travel with pumped milk.

Willow – Portable Breastmilk Cooler 

Momcozy Portable Breast Milk Cooler

CERES CHILL OG Breastmilk Chiller

How to Thaw and Warm Breast Milk Safely

Warming milk properly preserves its best nutrition and protects baby’s health.

• Thaw milk slowly in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of warm water
• Never use a microwave! It causes uneven heating and can destroy nutrients
• Use warm water or warm breastmilk to combine with newly thawed milk
• Discard any milk left after a feed – warm milk that’s been touched is no longer sterile

If your baby refuses thawed milk, it might be due to high lipase or free fatty acids. If you suspect this, ask your lactation consultant about excess lipase and how to handle it.

Tips for New Moms Building Their Breast Milk Stash

• Store milk in the safest way possible by freezing soon after pumping
• Don’t combine fresh breast milk with already cooled milk unless both are the same temperature
• Keep track of how much breast milk you pump each day to monitor your milk supply
• For working moms or home use, stock the freezer with enough milk to cover an extended period of time
• Create a backup plan for power outages—like transferring to a friend’s deep freezer or checking with your birth hospital or family birthing center about storage options

Download the Printable Breast Milk Storage Chart

Print this out and pop it on your fridge for easy access. This printable PDF of breast milk storage guidelines was made with busy, sleep-deprived parents in mind. It’s a great way to take the last thing off your mental checklist and hand off feeding duties with confidence.

Click here to download the Breast Milk Storage Chart Printable

Whether you’re a new parent, seasoned pro, or supporting someone else on their breastfeeding journey, having these simple tools on hand makes a world of difference.

Are you a pumping mom?

If you haven’t yet, check out my full post on How to Use a Spectra Breast Pump for simple guidelines on getting started with pumping. It includes tips on using an electric pump, storing fresh milk, and building your milk supply.

Here’s links to the tools and accessories I found helpful exclusively pumping for 6 months:

Related posts:

How to Use A Spectra Breast Pump