Exclusively pumping results tons of baby bottles to store, keep track of, and wash. Many moms use the “pitcher method” – storing breast milk in a pitcher – as a way to simplify their daily pumping and feeding routine, and make more room in their fridge.
What Exactly is the Pitcher Method?
Simply put, the pitcher method involves collecting all your pumped milk from the day and storing it in a large container. At the end of the day – or whenever your container is full – you then prepare the next day’s feeding bottles using the milk collected.
Any left over milk can be put into breast milk storage bags and frozen. This way, your baby is continuously getting fresh milk, and extra milk gets added to your freezer stash quickly.
What is the Perfect Container for the Pitcher Method?
Some of the features you want to look for in the container include:
- Ability to hold between 28-64 ounces (you want it to be able to hold more than you normally pump in a day)
- An easy pour spout, so that you don’t lose any milk when transferring it to bottles
- A lid to protect the milk when it’s stored in the refrigerator
- Made from glass or food grade plastic
Some great options that moms in our Facebook group have used include:
1. Dr Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher
Dr. Brown’s Pitcher is one of the most popular choices for storing breastmilk. It holds 32oz.
2. Rubbermaid MixerMate
The MixerMate holds 32oz of breastmilk and has a secure top with a spout for pouring.
3. Mason Jar
One benefit of using a mason jar is that the fat from breast milk tends to stick less to glass containers. These tops provide an airtight seal and easy pour spout for mason jars.
4. Shaker Blender Bottles
This shaker bottle by Blender Bottle holds 28oz of liquid.
Is Storing Breast Milk in a Pitcher Right for Me?
Anyone can use the pitcher method! Moms with oversupply or who prefer to prep bottles in advance may benefit the most from this storage method. On the other hand, if you would rather feed freshly pumped breast milk, it might not make sense for you.
Here are the pros and cons.
Pros to the Pitcher Method
- Simplifies feeding and breast milk storage and makes it more systematic
- Takes up less room in your refrigerator
- Less work for those with an oversupply
- May result in fewer bottles to wash
Cons of the Pitcher Method
- If your container is accidentally dropped or broken, you will lose all of the breast milk that you had stored in it
4 Tips for Storing Breast Milk in a Pitcher
Here are some ways to make sure you handle you breast milk safely (and don’t waste any!) when using the pitcher method.
- Always cool freshly pumped milk first so that you are not mixing cold and warm milk together. When mixing milk from multiple pumping sessions, it is recommended that the milk always be the same temperature.
- Label your container with the date of the oldest milk, and remember that breast milk is generally good for 3-8 days in the refrigerator.
- Fully incorporate the fat by swirling the container so that your milk is well balanced.
- Use a silicone spatula to scrape off any fat stuck to the sides of your container.
Have you tried storing breast milk in a pitcher? Tell us your experience in the comments!
References- Bonyata, Kelly, IBCLC. “Breastmilk Storage & Handling.” https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/
My question is how do i know what is the oldest milk if all of the milk is combined? And is it okay to give the milk if i freeze it after i combined all of the milk within a day or two?
Usually when you use the pitcher method, you are prepping milk pumped on one day for the following day’s bottles, so it’s okay to not worry about the oldest milk. You only really need to do that when you have milk from multiple days. Hope that helps!
Hi! I hope I word this question right. So if I pour my freshly pumped milk into a bottle to wait for it to cool, will it be at the right temperature 2-3 hours later when I pump a new bottle? Can I use the same bottle over and over as my “warm but waiting to cool” milk or do i need a fresh bottle every time.
Thank you!
I would use a fresh bottle. 🙂
Thank you so much for the wonderful info! Does it matter whether the milk was pumped in the am/pm? Is that a concern when mixing it all together? Or is it okay to mix and feed your baby a combination of it all?
It’s okay to feed a combination! 🙂
How often would I need to completely empty the pitcher and wash it?
I would do it every 24 hours. 🙂
Can the milk be left in the refrigerator
for up to 48 hours before deciding to freeze it?
Yes!
What method to people use to combine the milk? How do you get your freshly pumped milk cool before combining with milk from the pitcher?
Hi Kristen! I would just put the bottles in the fridge to cool, and then the next time you pump, dump it in the pitcher.
Does my milk have to be from the same day, or can I combine multiple days into one pitcher?
You can combine multiple days as long as they are both cooled and you use the milk by the day you would need to for the oldest milk that you combined. 🙂
Hi, can I put the pitcher in room temp
only for a day (6-8hrs) so that all the milk I pumped will be of same temp when putting in the pitcher? If I’ll put the pitcher in a ref, I will need to put every pumped milk in a separate bottle before I can combine them in the pitcher. Also, I can do this vice-versa? Can i combine all the thawed milk in 1 pitcher (to be consume in 1 day/8hrs while I’m at work) so that the milk can immediately pour in the bottle every feeding session?
Hi Rose! I think you could theoretically keep it at room temp from 6ish hours (depending on the temp of your house) from when the first milk was put in there. After that, it would need to go in the fridge.
Yes, you can combine all the thawed milk in a pitcher! You just need to use it within 24 hours of the oldest milk. (So basically, put it all in there at once, don’t thaw more milk and add it to the pitcher.)
Can this method also be used for thawed breast milk? If you thaw out a days worth of milk, is it still a safe method of storage?
Hi Rebecca! I don’t see why not as long as it’s not defrosted at room temperature and the milk is used 24 hours after thawing? I definitely wouldn’t add any milk to a defrosted pitcher because I would say it should be used and washed 24 hours after the first frozen milk is put in there.