Milk can be expressed from the breasts and saved for later use. It is best to express milk after baby has finished a feeding. Milk can be expressed manually by “milking” the breast between both hands or with a pump. 

We recommend using an electric pump. Rubber bulb pumps are not recommended. Expressed milk should be stored in a sterile container. Heat glass containers for 15 minutes in the oven at 225°F/110°C. Milk can be stored for up to 5 days if refrigerated. If frozen, milk may be stored as follows: 

• Refrigerator freezer for 2 weeks 

• Self-contained freezer for 3 to 4 months 

• Deep-freeze (0°F, -16°C) for 6 months 

It is important not to cook the milk while thawing, so do not use a microwave or place it in boiling water either let the milk thaw at room temperature or hold the bottle under a warm running tap. The milk will appear to have separated after thawing because the water and fat thaw separately. Just shake the milk gently 

and it will mix again.

When do I wean my baby? 

There is no right answer to this question except that you should wean the baby when you are ready. Many of us have outside pressures that make breast-feeding difficult to continue, so you should not feel guilty if you have to wean your baby. Having accomplished even a few weeks of breast-feeding is terrific. Most experts 

would suggest that in a perfect world, the only necessary food for a child under the age of 2 years is breast milk. 

If you wean your baby before the age of 1 year, you should replace the breast milk with a formula until the baby is at least 9 to 12 months of age.

Homogenized milk (3% fat) can be use instead of formula after baby is 1 year old. 

Do not use 2% milk until your child is 2 years old. Avoid 1% or skim milk until they 

are over 2 years old. Bottles, soothers and extra fluids While breast-feeding, you should not need to give your baby any extra fluids. If you want to introduce a bottle so others can feed when you are busy you should do so only after breast-feeding is well established. Breast-feeding is a little more work than bottle-feeding and like most of us your baby will be as lazy as possible. You can feed the baby either formula or stored breast milk in the bottle. You can also try cup feeding older babies. 

You should avoid pacifiers or soothers until breast-feeding is going well. 

Babies should not require extra water or juice until 12 to 24 months. 

Avoid sweet juices until children are 2 to 5 years of age.