Handling of Donor Milk

HAND HYGIENE

• Before handling milk or feeding equipment wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, with special attention to the area around and under the fingernails.
• Dry hands with a single-use paper towel.

STORING FROZEN MILK

• Store the milk in a freezer that always keeps ice cream hard (less than 0^oF).
• Store in the back of a freezer and NOT the door to ensure consistent and coldest temperatures.

THAWING FROZEN MILK

• Never thaw frozen human milk in a microwave oven or hot water.
• The preferred way to thaw frozen milk is to place it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Frozen milk can be thawed quickly in a container of warm water (not to exceed 98^oF). Take care that the water does not touch the lid. When milk is liquid and still chilled, dry and refrigerate until use.
• Thaw 1 bottle at a time and defrost the entire bottle. Do not pour off partially thawed milk.
• When completely thawed remove amount needed to supplement.
• Once the milk is liquid, it may be maintained for up to 48 hours in the back of a refrigerator (32-39^oF) and not the door.

HANDLING PASTEURIZED DONOR HUMAN MILK

• Thawed milk should NOT be left at room temperature.
• Once milk is thawed, it cannot be refrozen.
• Use thawed refrigerated pasteurized donor milk within 48 hours.
• Pasteurized donor milk offered for a feed that is unfinished may be refrigerated and offered for the next feeding. Discard if not finished within 6 hours.

WARMING FOR FEEDING

• Warm an individual feeding by standing the container of milk in warm water or holding under warm water with the cap above the water.

• Before feeding – swirl gently (do not shake) the container to ensure an equal distribution of the nutrients.