Exclusively pumping results tons of baby bottles to store, keep track of, and wash. Many parents use the “pitcher method” – storing breast milk in a pitcher – as a way to simplify their daily pumping and feeding routine, and to make more room in their fridge.
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What is the pitcher method?
Simply put, the pitcher method involves collecting all your pumped milk for one 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 leftover milk can be put into breast milk storage bags and frozen.
Pros and cons to storing breast milk in a pitcher
Some people prefer to have a full day’s worth of bottles prepared at the start of the day. Others prefer to feed fresh milk as they pump it.
The pitcher method isn’t “better” than other ways of storing and feeding breast milk – the only reason to do it is if it makes life easier for you.
Here are some of the pros and cons.
Pros to the pitcher method
- Can simplify feeding and breast milk storage and make it more systematic – no wondering when each bottle expires or finding a 10 day old bottle in the back of the fridge.
- Using a pitcher rather than bottles can take up less space in your refrigerator.
- It helps make sure that any extra breast milk is frozen as soon as you know you don’t need it.
- Some people with foremilk/hindmilk imbalance find that it helps keep the milk that’s fed to baby more balanced.
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.
- Sterilizing the pitcher may be challenging depending on the size of it and whether or not you have a dishwasher.
What container should you use 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
is one of the most popular choices for storing breast milk. It holds 32oz, and you have the ability to mix the milk using the blade.
2. Rubbermaid MixerMate
The MixerMate holds 32oz of breast milk 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.
Tips for storing breast milk in a pitcher
Here are some ways to make sure you handle your breast milk safely (and don’t waste any!) when using the pitcher method.
Cool milk before combining
When mixing milk from multiple pumping sessions, it is recommended that the milk always be the same temperature.
Always cool freshly pumped milk first so that you are not mixing cold and warm milk together. (I suggest putting bottles of freshly pumped milk in the fridge, and then dumping them in the pitcher after your next pumping session a few hours later.)
More on mixing breast milk from different days and sessions here.
If more than one day’s milk is in the pitcher, label with first expressed
If your container has more than milk from more than one day in it, label your container with the date of the oldest milk. You need to treat all of the milk in the pitcher as if it was pumped on that first day.
Breast milk can be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Mix the milk together
Fully incorporate the fat by swirling the container
so that your milk is well balanced.
You may want to use a silicone spatula to scrape off any fat stuck to the sides of your container.
Sterilizing the container
Like your bottles and pump parts, your pitcher should be washed according to CDC guidelines and sterilized on a regular basis.
Sterilizing can be challenging if your container is too large to fit in your sterilizer or whatever method you use to sanitize. If you have a dishwasher, that’s probably the easiest way to do it. Medela Quick Clean Sanitizer Spray might be another option.
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/
Comments & Chitchat
I just started using this method and saved so much time that would have been spent doing dishes! Do you know how long the refrigerated pitcher of milk can be left out on the counter? My forgetful husband has a hard time remembering to put the pitcher back in the fridge.
Hi Helen! So glad you like it! The less time it’s out of the fridge the better, but at 4 hours I would discard the pitcher. Hopefully it’s not that long!
What’s the best way to mix the milk once in the pitcher? I’m trying to avoid plastic, so I can’t use the pitchers that come with a mixer. Is swirling still the best option, or should I get a designated spoon or use some other method? My husband will be doing this while I’m at work, so I need something to explain to him 😅
Hi Brooke! I would use a silicone spatula if you can! a spoon will work too though!
Thanks for all this detailed information. I read all the comments but still have a question. I have about a day and a half of bagged milk and 3 pumping sessions of milk in medela bottles from yesterday and today and want to switch to this method. So I should I use the bagged milk today and keep filling my pitcher with cooled pumped milk until 24 hours and then make bottles with the milk from the pitcher? Then I will freeze what’s leftover from the bagged milk tomorrow and then move to pitcher method freezing whatever is leftover there. Do you freeze leftover pitcher milk every 24 hours or every 4 days? And clean/sterilize the pitcher every day or every 4 days? Thank you!
Hi Sara! Yes, that is a good plan. I would freeze the milk every day, and clean/sanitize every day as well. Hope that helps, good luck!!!
I have new large mason jars. Can I sterilize these using my baby bottle sterilizer?
I’ve never done this but I don’t see why not if they fit – let us know how it goes!
Hi, I just want to share how I use this method while not being exclusive with pumping. When I’m not at work, I exclusively nurse. But while at work I pump. So the first work day of the week for me, hubby feeds baby milk from the freezer, and at the end of my work day I add all my chilled milk from storage bottles into the Dr. Brown mixing pitcher. The next day hubby pours from the pitcher for each bottle he needs and leaves any extra in the pitcher. At the end of that 2nd day of work, I add that days pumped milk to the pitcher. We continue this for the work week, and the last day of work I bag up all the milk that’s left in the pitcher and freeze it. Next work week we start over with frozen milk on the first day. My work week is only 4 days so I fall within milk storage guidelines. I use Medela storage bottles to hold my fresh pumped milk while at work.
Thank you!!!! I plan to pump at work and nurse at home so I’ve been trying to find information on how to use this method without exclusively pumping! Thank you for sharing!
Hello! This strategy sounds like it would save on the amount of bags used, but when do you use the frozen milk? Thanks!
Hi Stefanie! I usually suggest rotating it – more on why and how to do it here:
https://exclusivepumping.com/how-to-rotate-your-freezer-stash/
Hi! Firstly, thanks for such a detailed guide! I was thinking of starting the pitcher method in a couple days. Would you recommend mixing the full 24hrs in one pitcher, or separate the morning/daytime and evening/nighttime milk? I keep reading different things online and wasn’t sure if it would make a huge difference or not.
Hi Faith! I don’t think it makes much of a difference, here’s more info!
https://exclusivepumping.com/storing-breast-milk-in-a-pitcher/
I really want to try this method, but I’m curious as how to start. So I pump at 6am/9am/12pm/3pm/6pm/9pm and once more before bed around 1030/11pm and once in the middle of night between 1-5am (typically 3am). When would I start my “24 hour” collection time? Would I collect from 6am-6am or midnight to midnight and then start making my bottles for the following day? I already supplement with formula at least one full bottle a day and a couple bottles that are half and half of bread milk and formula. I think I’d do a day of formula only to start the supply.
Hi Corie! I think you can pick any time – start of the day (6AM) could work well? I think formula feeding that first day is a good plan to get started. Good luck!
This is exactly what I do! I had a question within this question-for working moms of more than one child what is the best time for start stop time? Typically when I get home my attention is on the kids so should my stop/transfer to bottles time be when they are in bed around 9pm and start the day over that way? Hoping to start this methods soon-just bought my pitcher!
I think that’s a really good time to do it! It’s what I would do in as a working mom.
Hi! I have been trying to start the pitcher method now that I’m going back to work after EBF. I’ve always stored the small amounts I’ve pumped in the Elvie bottles or in baby bottles in the fridge until using and never had any issue, the milk has no smell, tastes sweet ish and the fat swirls back nicely after separating. But lately I’ve been using a 64 oz mason jar with pour spout lid and even when I cool the pumped milk first, then combine, after 24 hours the milk has an acidic aftertaste, but doesn’t smell. Pretty sure it’s sour because I think it taste awful! My milk has lasted the four full days before in bottles.
Could this be because the main jar is so big and there is only 10-12 ounces in the jar (I’ve never been able to build up more because it goes bad). Is it my fridge maybe because it’s a pretty shallow double door fridge? Or too much air in the jar? Or maybe I have high lipase?
Just to reiterate, pumped milk tastes great after 4 days when stored in the small bottles.
I want to do this method but can’t risk my supply always going bad. This has happened four times. Appreciate any advice!!
Hi Lauren! That is odd – to be honest, I’ve never heard of this before! Maybe it is the air in the jar? Is there maybe a smaller jar you could test out?
I want to stop buying disposable storage bags but wouldn’t this result in more dishes to wash? For example, I use the Elvie and I would have to pour each pump session into bottles in order to cool in the fridge before adding it to the pitcher and then have to wash those bottles to reuse them for future pumping sessions? I already have to wash baby bottles and pump parts all day lol
Hi Holly! It really depends on how you handle your bottles. If you had a set of extra Elvie bottles, you could rotate using them.
Or maybe instead of the pitcher method or buying disposable bags, you could prep bottles right after pumping by pouring into whatever your baby drinks out of.
Amanda, your guidance to “cool freshly pumped milk first so that you are not mixing cold and warm milk together” is outdated. As of September 2021 the AAP guidelines now explicitly state that pooling milk from 24 hours together in one container is safe—and even recommended—to ensure that all milk has a mix of beneficial nutrients. You should update your article.
https://www.mother.ly/baby/aap-new-breast-milk-storage-guidelines/
Charles, this article does recommend pooling milk together from 24 hours, just that it be chilled first. Which the AAP also recommends – they reversed the cool and warm can be mixed after the linked article was written. It literally says that at the top of the article that you linked:
“UPDATE: In September 2021, AAP removed guidance from their Frequently Asked Questions page on the safety of mixing warm and cold breast milk and pooling milk pumped within 24 hours. We will continue to monitor AAP’s guidance on the breast milk storage.”
I’m sorry if I sound irritated, but you’re the second person in 24 hours to tell me I have the mixing milk guidance wrong and need to change my website, when the problem was they they weren’t reading carefully.
to me it’s just “food safety principles” — you NEVER mix warm and cold then store…. only cold to cold and warm to warm.
Starting the pitcher method this week! I purchased 2 different pitchers to try from amazon…a 64 oz glass mason jar with pitcher lid and handle from country line( for day milk ) and the plastic munchkin smart blend pitcher with the spinner to mix milk (for night milk). So excited to try this because storing all the little bottles and washing them as they go is so much work!
If you do the pitcher method how do you warm baby milk before giving it to baby ? Baby can’t drink cold milk
Hi Britani! You can pour the milk into the bottle you’ll be feeding from, and then warm it in the bottle!
I really want to try this method but I’m confused regarding the nighttime feedings. My baby girl is a week old so the bottles that are made are those including the night time feedings. I’m just starting today so I’ve been supplementing with kendamil formula to gather my supply for my pitcher amd feel like I’ll need to do this for one more day to have enough for next day etc. any advice if I’m doing this right ? Im just really confused about the night feeding part. Thank you ! Your post was very informative.
Hi Lupita! Yes, it sounds like you’re doing everything right! You’d just want to be a day (24 hours) ahead with prepped bottles to get started. Good luck!
Hello!
How much do people generally put in their milk storage bags?
Hi Danielle! This varies a lot. I wouldn’t stress out about this too much – you just kind of have to figure out what works best for your routine. Anywhere between two and six ounces is pretty common. If you end up putting too much in a bag, you can just thaw in the fridge or in cold water and you can use it in multiple feedings – it just needs to be used within 24 hours. The only thing I’ll say is that if you have a significant oversupply, I’d fill to capacity since it will reduce the number of bags you’ll have to buy and store. Good luck!
Hi. I’m thinking of trying the pitcher method. Quick question, can I just freeze all of thus milk at the end of the day? Is that recommendable?
Hi Beatriz! You can, though I wouldn’t freeze milk just to freeze it. But if you’re not planning to use any of the milk in the pitcher within 4 days that works!
I’m panicking a little because I’ve been adding fresh pumped milk to the fridge container for the last couple days. Do I need to throw out all those bags that went to the freezer? I usually have a really productive pump at night and that’s the main supply in the fridge bottle. Through the day I pump and make the next bottle and add the rest (pretty small amounts) to the fridge bottle. I’ll start cooking it first moving forward, is it okay to just check the milk when I thaw them out? Appreciate the help.
Hi Andrea! I wouldn’t panic and I would just cooling before moving forward. ❤️
Hi! I just started doing this with a glass mason jar with a pour spout and noticed there is condensation inside the jar. Is this okay still to pour bottles from? Is this normal?
Hi Allison! Yes, that’s normal, just make sure to keep the jar sealed when you’re not using it and that it’s dry when you start putting milk into it.
I saw someone else asked and don’t see an answer. Sorry to ask again but what pitcher is pictured here? Thanks!
Hi Meagan! I got the photo from someone in the Facebook group a long time ago and I’m not sure – I’m so sorry!
Thank you for all the information! I plan on pumping from willow reusable containter so not directly into bottle, so my question is if i designate one container in the fridge for cooling fresh pumped milk and one pitcher for the day’s milk, is it necessary to wash that one cooling container every time i empty it or can i keep dumping fresh milk i to the cooling container without washing it every time, especially if i keep that container in the fridge? And same with the pitcher. If i empty it out every day but keep it in the fridge couldn’t you just sanitize the pitcher on night 3 instead of every night?
Hi Maggie! For the reusable container, many people do do that – keep parts in the fridge and wash every 24 hours. The CDC recommends washing after each use – here is more info on the fridge hack from an IBCLC:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKUoAsIAu8e/
For the pitcher method – I think I would wash every day just because then you will still have some residual milk and bacteria from three days prior, and so you’d have to count that milk as 3 day old milk. (which could be fine, if you’re always using everything you pump the next day. But if you have extra it could get confusing.)
I hope that all makes sense!
What pitcher is this shown in the picture?
Hello. I am currently under supply. My boy can usually finish all that I pump within the day but I am giving him formula for two night feedings. I maybe only have less than 2-3 ounces by the end of the day. I have been just continuously filling the jar and filling bottles from that jar but I don’t think this is sounding like the best method. Should I be freezing any left overs by the end of the night that way I can clean the pitcher?
Hi Nicole! Yes, I would transfer the remaining milk (either to the freezer or in a separate container in the fridge) and clean the pitcher each night.
My LO is almost 2 months old; is this method safe to do with them? I need to start pumping more since I start Nursing school in a month and I need to get them used to bottle-feeding during the day. I will be using the Willow pump with its reusable milk containers and I’m just not sure how to go about doing this method while I’m at school. I think I would like to use the mason jar to do this since you mentioned above that the milk fat doesn’t stick as much to it.
Hi Rose! Yes, this should be fine to do regardless of age, unless you doctor has other instructions (for example, if your baby is a preemie). Congrats!
Okay so I am confused, do you make all the bottles for the next day at the same time and store them all in the fridge. Or can I pour a bottle as I need it like 4 oz at a time then at the end of the day whatever is left I freeze. So I am thinking I woukd have two pitchers in the fridge, one I am filling with pumped milk, and one from the day before I am using for bottles as the day goes on.
You can do it that way too!
Hi there. Do you know if the container has to be airtight. I have a glass jar with a lid but it’s not an air tight seal and has a small gap.
Hi Sally! I would get an air tight cover if you can. Maybe if you could cover the lid with saran wrap or something for now to seal it off? I hope that makes sense!
Do I need to be able to sterilize my containers? Can I sterilize the shaker bottles? Can they be sterilized in the microwave or dishwasher?
Hi Sarah! The dishwasher should work!
Hello! I’m wanting to try this method out but just to be clear I can keep cooling my milk and pouring it into one mason jar and put the date for the first milk I dump in the mason jar, and I can keep dumping my cooled milk in it, and I can use it to pour into bottles, warm up and feed and when it goes bad (I usually only do 4 days in the fridge) throw it out?
Hi Lucy, yes, that sounds fine. Use the milk within 4 days of putting the first milk in fridge/mason jar. 🙂
Hello. I’m new to being a mother and I have a question. So in the pitcher method, let’s say I pump today and I currently pump every three hours 1 am,4 am,7 am,10 am,1 pm,4 pm,7, pm and 10 pm. So would I then add milk into the container from each of those session that day after cooling. And if so after that day I’d over how long can that milk from that day stay in the fridge after I’ve put milk in from that day. And if there is milk left over do I use the rest of that for how ever long it takes my baby to empty it or after a certain amount of time do I discard it and use the next days ..( in the instense that I’m ahead a day or so)
Hi there. You’d want to use the milk in the pitcher or freeze it within 4 days of when the first milk you pumped in the pitcher was pumped. I hope that helps!
Hi! My baby is 5.5 mo. I’m considering to use this pitcher method because keeping multiple bottles in the fridge is taking up space and also leaves me with no bottles eventually to pump afresh. So this seems like a possible solution, but I just want to be completely clear that I understand.
So, I have pumped milk from yesterday (I pump 4 times a day). Stored in different bottles that I pumped into. What I therefore need to do now is to simply combine all those into the right pitcher and keep it in the fridge again. Prepare bottles for upcoming feeds from this pitcher. For which I will swirl and ensure all fat is combined in the milk and then fill the bottle.
The next time I pump, I keep that bottle in the fridge to cool it down. This bottle will be cooled by the following pumping session which is when I empty this cooled bottle into the pitcher. Then repeat.
Am I correct in my understanding?
Thanku so much and thoroughly appreciate your guidance on this as well as the overall EP journey. I’m from India and there is no one here to help with this so your posts are lifesavers, literally 😘
Hi! You got it! 🙂
this there a way to use this method well your out and about doing errands?
Hi Kristel! I would just store in bottles until you get home and then put the milk inthe pitcher. Unless I’m not understanding your question?
So as soon as I pump should I allow the milk to cool down before putting it in the fridge? Then as I pump throughout the day Let the milk cool down before adding it? Wouldn’t I have to put the pumped milk in the fridge before adding it to the pitcher so it’s the same temp?
Yes, exactly. I would put it in the fridge after you pump to cool, and then the next time you pump, add it to the pitcher. Hope that makes sense!
Hi. I’ve always wondered – what is the actual reason for not combining pumped (fresh/warm) milk with already cooled milk? I had heard elsewhere that you can do this, so was just curious!
Hi Brittany! It’s because it raises the temperature of the cooled milk, allowing bacteria to grow. 🙂
Hi I just started the pitcher method and am using the dr browns pitcher and love it! Question about the pitcher . I know it should be cleaned every 24 hours. I clean it every morning once I empty the pitcher of the days milk. Should I be sterilizing the pitcher everyday as well? It fits inside of my bottle sterilizer.
Hi Natalie! If your baby is a newborn, is sick or was a preemie, I would since it fits in the bottle sterilizer! If your baby isn’t in any of those categories, less often is okay. 🙂
Hi, I’m under supply and currently mix feeding my LO. I want to start the pitcher method and eliminate formula. I just want to be ahead by at least a day or 2 with her feeding. How do I go about using the pitcher method with that? I’m planning on formula feed her until I have enough for 1 day feeding and then I can put aside the formula. Would that be possible? And how do I add my pumped milk in the pitcher? Just keep adding it to what I’ve pumped? I know it says it has to be sale temperature. Can I put my freshly pumped milk in the fridge then transfer it to the pitcher once it’s cold? Please help! Thanks
Hi Marcy! Yes, that will work. And yes, I would put freshly pumped into the fridge, then combine once cooled (I would just do it the next time you pump as you’ll be back in the fridge then). Hope that helps!
Hi Marcy – I am in the same boat as you as making just enough and having to combo feed. Did this work for you in the end?
Can I keep adding milk to the pitcher and keep it up to 4days and then freeze it?
You can (assuming the milk that you’re adding is cooled), but if you know you’re going to freeze it, the earlier the better.
Thank you so much for this information!
Hi, will the fat be stuck to the pitcher?
It can! You can use a silicone scraper to get it off and mix it. 🙂
Mason jars are smart! Shouldn’t the lids be sterilized though? Do you use a dishwasher sterilization cycle? I’d love to be able to microwave sterilize. Is washing them thoroughly acceptable? (Especially after LO is >3mon old?)
I would sterilize in the dishwasher or boiling water!
What do you use to label your pitchers? Would a dry erase marker work?
Yes!
Hi, any tips for sterilising the pitcher as it is too big to fit in my microwave steriliser or a pot?
Hi Stef! If boiling or using a sterilizer won’t work, bleach is an option. Here is more info:
https://exclusivepumping.com/how-to-sterilize-breast-pump-parts/
I use the “pitcher method” and absolutely LOVE it. I started using this method when I returned to work, which allowed me to just fill all my bottles at the end of the day for the following day. It also gave me a visual as to how much milk I was pumping daily. I use mason jars (quart size) due to the fact that I had them on hand and I had multiple jars. Having multiple jars also allows me to keep up with the age of the milk. I use a new jar everyday so that I make sure that I am using the oldest milk first. Only thing I worry about is that they are glass.
So you still recommend using fresh bottles to pump every time? Is that because you’re pumping warm milk into cooled bottles with (probably) little dribs and drabs of cooled milk in it still?
Hi Megan! I do because the CDC recommends using clean sets of pump parts each time you pump. That’s also a good point about the warm milk on top of a bit of cooled milk, yes.
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. 🙂
Can i use stainless steel? Like a yeti?
I think that would be fine!
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.