One of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a new mum is how to store your breast milk. After all, you’ve put a lot of effort into producing this precious substance, and you want to make sure it’s safe and sound.
Enter breast milk storage bags! These handy little bags are the perfect solution for storing, freezing, and transporting your breast milk. They’re super easy to use, leak-proof, and won’t break the bank.
With so many different brands and styles out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Types of Breast Milk Storage Bags
When choosing breast milk storage bags, consider their sterilisation requirements, compatibility with your breast pump, and convenience.
Pre-sterilised Bags: These bags come pre-sterilised, eliminating the need for sterilisation before use. This saves time and effort, making them a popular choice for busy parents.
Non-sterilised Bags: These bags are more economical but require sterilisation before use. You can sterilise them by boiling them for five minutes or using a steam steriliser.
Reusable Bags: These bags are made from silicone or other reusable materials, offering an eco-friendly alternative to disposable bags. They can be washed and reused multiple times, making them a cost-effective choice.
We can’t stress this enough, mamas! Label your storage bags with the date and time you pumped. It might seem like a small detail, but trust us, you’ll be grateful when you hunting through the freeze and don’t know which one to use first.
OUR PICK OF THE CROP
14 Best Breast Milk Storage Bags in Australia
As seasoned mums ourselves, with over 16 years of experience and part of a vibrant Australian community of over 100,000 Grapeviner mums, we understand how important it is to find the right solution for storing your breast milk.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 16 of the most popular breast milk storage bags, recommended to us by mums just like you!
Pigeon
Pigeon Coloured Storage Bags ($25.95)
Made from food-grade polyethylene, these double zip closure bags come pre-sterilised to make it super easy to use and store without any extra steps. We loved the multi-colours and fun characters for a whimsical touch to a tedious job.
One happy customer left the review, “These bags are great quality. I haven’t had any rips or issues. They hold plenty of milk and I love the colours.”
Type: Pre-sterilised bag
Capacity: 180ml
Packet size: 25 bags
Lansinoh
Lansinoh Storage Bags ($22.95)
With a tear-away top, you’ll never worry about non-sterile bags again. With an easy-to-pour self-stand as well as clear write-on labels, these BPA-free bags have it all. Mums looking for a pumping hack, with Lansinoh’s pump adapter, you can pump directly into their bags!
“Makes life easier, pump straight into them or I have poured in from my silicone pump. Easy to write on and easy to freeze, very happy” said one parent online.
Type: Pre-sterilised bag
Capacity: 180ml
Packet size: 25 bags
Nanobebe
Nanobebe Extra Think Storage Bags ($34.99)
Designed to hold breastmilk in a shallow layer, these bags cool and thaw quickly, reducing bacterial growth and preserving nutrients. We found them to be very thick and the bag organiser made it easy to remember which bag to use next.
“These freeze really flat. Love the way you can stack them. They are low profile and the seal on them is great too.” said one happy reviewer.
Type: Pre-Sterilised Bag
Capacity: 150ml
Packet Size: 50 bags
Haakaa
Haakaa Happii Bear Silicone Bags ($18.49)
Not only are these reusable storage bags made from BPA-friendly, 100% food-grade silicone, but they’re also cute as a button. With their whimsical bear design and large storage amount, you’ll be using these bags for breast milk through to toddler food.
A reviewer wrote, “Bigger than I expected, thick too, I love them. Can be folded for easy storage. Strong. Great for fridge or freezer. Great storage capacity.”
Type: Reusable silicone bag
Capacity: 260ml
Packet Size: 1 bag
New Beginnings
New Beginnings Milk Storage Bags ($16.95)
Featuring a thermal colour change sensor to indicate their temperature, New Beginnings has all the right tools for pumping mums. A self-standing base for filling, double zip closures, safety seal to keep things sterile and matte finish for easy labelling, just to name a few.
Type: Pre-sterilised bag
Capacity: 200ml
Packet size: 25 bags
Mumilk
Mumilk Reusable Breast Milk Storage Bags (from $12)
Leak-proof, BPA-free and 100% food-grade silicone are just a few of the reasons people love the eco-conscious reusable milk storage bags from Mumilk, with a whopping 300ml capacity, this fridge/freezer safe option is perfect for those looking for a plastic alternative.
A customer left the review “Easy to clean. Hold more than a single use which is fantastic. really happy with the purchase. Will definitely buy more when needed.”
Type: Reusable silicone bag
Capacity: 300ml
Packet Size: 1 Bag
Medela
Medela Milk Storage Bags (from $22)
These crowd-favourite BPA-free bags offer the convenience of an easy-to-pour, self-standing design along with a double zipper and clear, writable labels, so you’ll never get your bags mixed up again. Say goodbye to concerns about non-sterile bags with their tear-away top feature.
Type: Pre-sterilised bag
Capacity: 180ml
Packet size: 25 or 50 bags
Junobie
Junobie Reusable Silicone Bags ($67)
No more throwing out single-use plastic bags, these eco-friends storage bags are leakproof, self-standing, lay flat and slide shut for all the convenience you’re after. Not only are they super cute in a range of colours but easy to clean too.
Type: Reusable silicone bag
Capacity: 180ml
Packet Size: 4 bags
Haakaa
Haakaa Milk Freezer Tray ($23.99)
Looking for an option that will grow with your family? Look no further! Perfect for freezing breast milk, puree or even plain ice cubes, these 100% food-grade silicone is heatproof, microwave and dishwasher safe and is even safe in the oven, talk about a multitasker!
Type: Reusable silicone tray
Capacity: Up to 420ml per tray
Packet size: 1 tray
Tommee Tippee
Made for Me Breast Milk Pouches ($19.95)
Using Tommee Tippee’s universal adapters, these pouches fit directly onto almost any breast pump, not only that but alongside their closer-to-nature teats, skip the bottle entirely and feed straight from the pouch (no bottle to wash up!) BPA-free and pre-sterilised for your reassurance.
Type: Pre-sterilised bag
Bag Size: 180ml
Packet Size: 20 bags
Made to Milk
Make to Milk Reusable Milk Bags ($26.95)
Saving the world one breast milk bag at a time! These eco-friendly silicone bags are not only leakproof and self-standing but also dishwasher safe too. With an easy-to-use lock slider and measuring tool, all that’s left is to choose your colour.
One happy customer left the review, “I LOVE these reusable milk storage bags. The bar closure is so easy to use especially in the middle of the night when needing to empty milk collection cups in a sleep-deprived state in the dark or from a pump session! Super easy to pour out of into bags to freeze as well.”
Type: Reusable silicone bag
Capacity: 240ml
Packet Size: 2 bags
Milkco
Breast Milk EcoPods ($39.99)
Endlessly reusable, Milkco’s EcoPods have an easy-to-read leakproof lid for labelling, and internal measurements as well as being dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. These BPA-free and food-safe silicone pods will last far beyond breastfeeding days.
Type: Reusable silicone pod
Capacity: 150ml
Packet Size: 3 pods
Dr Browns
Dr Browns Storage Bags ($23.95)
A convenient and safe way to store, freeze, and transport your precious breast milk. These storage bags from Dr Brown’s feature a self-standing base for easy filling, double zip closures, a safety seal, and easy-to-locate labelling space.
Type: Pre-Sterilised Bag
Capacity: 180ml
Packet Size: 25 bags
Youha
Youha’s The One Storage Bags ($38)
Youha’s BPA-free and food-safe bags offer the convenience of an easy-to-pour and self-standing design. For those seeking a pumping hack, their pump adapter allows you to pump directly into the bags from a range of leading brands, making it even easier.
Type: Pre-Sterilised Bag
Capacity: 210ml
Packet Size: 40 bags
FAQs Your Questions Answered
How do I know if my breast milk has gone bad?
First, take a sniff and if it has a sour smell it’s probably gone bad. Next, give it a taste and if it tastes sour or off, toss it out. Finally, take a look at the colour. If it’s turned a darker shade of yellow or green, it’s not good anymore. And if you notice any bubbles or foam, that’s another sign that it’s time to let it go.”
How long can I store breast milk?
If you’re pumping or expressing breast milk, you can store it in different ways. At room temperature, it’ll be safe for up to 4 hours. In the fridge, it can last up to 4 days. And if you need to keep it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 6 months, or even 12 months if necessary.
Is it safe to store breast milk in the fridge door?
It’s best to store breast milk on shelves inside the refrigerator rather than in the door. The door tends to experience more temperature fluctuations due to frequent opening and closing, which could potentially affect the quality of the milk.
Know a breast milk storage solution to add to our list? Contact us and let us know, we’ve been curating Australia’s best baby products into helpful lists for over 15 years and we’re always happy to support new brands and businesses.
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- Helpful ways to relieve breast engorgement
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We want you to know
We’re Mum’s Grapevine, a team of mums who’ve been there and done that (we have a combined 19 kids, so we know a thing or two about parenting!). We’ve been writing about all things baby and parenting for over 16 years, and we’re passionate about helping new mums find the best products for their little ones.
Sometimes, we do include paid inclusions in our reviews, but we promise that we only recommend products that we truly believe in and have either used or personally seen. Our goal is to give you, our Grapeviner mums, the inside scoop on the latest and greatest parenting products, and we’re always striving to maintain our high standards of quality and honesty.
Thanks for trusting us to be your go-to source for all things baby-related!
xoxo
