New mums are some of the busiest people in the world, often juggling work and home. This is why they may choose to stockpile their breast milk, for occasions when work calls or their milk production is low. Keeping them in breast milk storage bags ensures a steady supply of milk whenever needed and for whatever occasion.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Freshly pumped breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and in the freezer for about 6 months."
Why use breast milk storage bags?
Compared to bottles, milk storage bags are more compact, making it easier to store and to use for travel. It is more suitable for long-term storage, freeing up the usage of milk bottles.
In addition, these bags are made of high-quality material and are more hygienic as compared to regular plastic storage bags. Hence, they ensure that the milk kept is clean and fresh for consumption and free from any contamination.
Most breast milk storage bags are also generally have a more secure seal, and are durable in preventing leakage and spilling your efforts.
Who should use breast milk storage bags?
They are suitable for working mothers who may not have the time or energy to breastfeed all the time. Mothers with high milk supply and want to store or donate their milk.
They are convenient for fathers, family members, or caretakers to take over the feeding whenever the mother is not available as well as for travel.
How to choose the best breast milk storage bags
While picking the best milk storage bags depends on your needs and circumstances, there are few criteria we recommend as well:
- Safety. Look for materials without BPA, which is a harmful industrial chemical found in most plastics.
- Tight seal. Check for storage bags that offer double seals, or additional sealing features to prevent spillage during storage or travel.
- Storage volume. Choose bags with storage volume most suitable for your needs based on your average breast milk output.
- Fridge and freezer friendly. Pick bags that can be safely placed in a cooler environment so that it can extend your milk’s life.
The Top 5 Breast Milk Storage Bags in Singapore
We break down our choices and list the best ones for you.
- Cimilre Free-T Milk Storage Bag - Best Milk Storage Bag for Direct Usage
- Hegen PCTO™ - Best Cost-Effective Milk Storage Bag
- Nanobebe 25-Pack - Best Space-Saving Milk Storage Bag
- Philips Avent Breast Milk Storage Bags - Beast Easy-to-Use Milk Storage Bag
- Farlin Disposable Breast Milk Storage Bags - Best Milk Storage Bag for High Volume Storage
Best Milk Storage Bag for Direct Usage
Cimilre is a Korean brand known for state-of-the-art breastfeeding products. Their Free-T Milk Storage Bag is no different. It is a 200ml/7oz bag that is hygienically pre-sealed to ensure safety of consumption.
It has a unique design featuring an easily interchangeable bottle cap which can be swapped with a teat adapter. This feature also makes it easy to use, perfect for when you need to feed an impatient and hungry baby.
What We Love:
- Easy-to-use interchangeable top
- No need to transfer, reducing risk of outside contamination or spillage
- BPA-free bags are safe for both hot and cold temperatures
Best Cost-Effective Milk Storage Bag
Hegen PCTO™ is a 150ml/5oz breast milk container that is safe in sterilisers, warmers and dishwashers (top rack only) for cleaning after each usage.
This reusable milk storage bag helps you save money compared to most other storage bags strictly of one-time use. And because it is reusable, you can even use it for a snack or as a toy container for your tot. Its airtight seal feature prevents contamination or leakage.
What We Love:
- Washable and reusable
- Multifunctional
- Safe for both hot and cold temperatures
Best Space-Saving Milk Storage Bag
Nanobebe 25-Pack is a 150ml/5oz, BPA-free and freezer-friendly breast milk storage bag. It is flat, stackable and also comes with an organiser to hold the thinly designed storage bags in a neat and space-saving manner.
This space-saving design suits families with smaller refrigerators. Its stackable feature also makes it easier to differentiate freshly supplied breastmilk and old breastmilk.
In addition, its special design allows frozen milk to be thawed faster, making it safer and more convenient to feed your hungry child.
What We Love:
- Space-saving and stackable design
- BPA-free
- Freezer-friendly
Best Easy-to-Use Milk Storage Bag
Philips Avent’s 180ml/6oz breast milk storage bags come pre-sterilised. They are also BPA-free, and freezer-safe with a tamper proof seal.
Its unique feature is its comparatively large opening, making it easier to collect and transfer breastmilk with minimal spillage.
An ideal travel companion as it offers sufficient protection to damage and leaks likely experienced during travel. These sturdy bags also have reinforced side seams and are double layered.
What We Love:
- Wide opening and self-standing feature
- Reinforced side seams and double-layered
- BPA-free
- Freezer-friendly
Best Milk Storage Bag For High Volume Storage
Farlin Disposable Breast Milk Storage Bags are 200ml/7oz storage bags in a pack of 22. They are pre-sterilised and 100% BPA-free, so they are clean and hygienic for milk storage.
Their high storage capacity is suitable and more cost-efficient especially for mothers with high milk supply.
Because they come in a pack of 22 (even available in a 110 bag bundle deal), it saves you time and money as one purchase is sufficient to last long.
What We Love:
- Time- and cost-efficient
- Convenient “use-and-throw" product
- BPA-free and pre-sterilised
Tips For Storing And Using Pumped Breast Milk
Practice 'First In First Out' when using stored breast milk, using the earlier stored milk first. To help avoid expired or unsafe milk that have been kept for too long, it is also important to label your breast milk storage bag with the time and date of storage.
Prevent wastage because of spoilt milk by ensuring your refrigerator is working well. This way, you can keep your stored milk at optimal temperature.
Avoid cross-contamination by taking careful steps to separate your milk bags from meat and other raw products. Also ensure that you do not re-freeze thawed breast milk due to the presence of increased bacteria harming your milk content.
Always do a physical check to ensure your milk bags are clean and hole-free, before filling it up.
Breast milk storage bags can come in many different shapes and sizes with their unique features. It is important to identify what suits your family’s needs the most in order to pick out the most appropriate product.
Most importantly, ensure the product is of high quality and safe enough for your little one’s consumption.
Price Comparison
Here's a price comparison of the best breast milk storage bags on the market for your quick reference:
Editor's Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
