In an ideal world, you'd have breast milk on hand whenever necessary and safely stored away whenever not necessary.
Unfortunately, that timeline doesn't always match up with the human body, which is where breast milk storage bags really come in handy.
Breast milk storage bags can keep your milk fresh, organised and leak-free - stored safely and securely, whether it’s in the fridge, freezer or on the go. Choose the right storage bag and you'll feel like Mum of the Year, whipping it out at the right moment. Choose the wrong bag and you'll feel fury like no other.
Choose bags that are made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic. BPA is a chemical that can leach into your milk and harm your baby’s health. Food-grade plastic, as its name suggests, is designed to prevent contamination and preserve the quality of your milk. Some bags are also pre-sterilised, which means they're ready to use and don’t need to be washed before filling. If you're short on time (which tends to come with the whole 'parenting' thing), this is a must.
Look also for bags that have a secure closure system. This can be a double zipper, a twist cap or a spout. A secure closure will prevent spills, leaks and air exposure, which can reduce the nutritional value of your milk. You also want to make sure that the bags are easy to open and pour, especially when you’re transferring the milk into a bottle.
Most bags can hold up to 150ml of milk, but some more and others less. Choose a size that matches your pumping output and your baby’s intake. You also want options that can lay flat or stand up, depending on how you plan to store them. Laying flat can save space and make thawing faster, while standing up can make pouring easier and prevent tipping.
We've rounded up all of the best breast milk storage bags.
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Nanobebe 25 Breastmilk Storage Bags & Organiser
Not only do you get 25 bags in this Nanobebe set, but you'll get a handy organiser with them too. Designed with ease in mind, these breast milk bags have a thin, flat design that cools and thaws two times faster than standard storage bags, reducing bacterial growth and preserving precious breast milk nutrients. They're durable, leak-proof, made from extra-thick plastic and feature a double-zipper closure.
Buy now £7.19, Amazon
Nuliie 120pcs Breast Milk Storage Bag
Looking to buy in bulk? If you're often in need of new breast milk bags and find yourself running short, this bulk pack of Nuliie Breast Milk Storage Bags might be just the ticket. Each of these 120 bags has a temperature sensor feature, allowing you to check the heat levels before feeding to your baby. The Nuliie breast milk bags also feature a groundbreaking design with breast milk inlet/outlet separation, ensuring your baby receives untainted milk while preventing contamination.
Buy now £17.92, Amazon
O'doe Breastmilk Storage Bag
These reusable breastmilk storage bags are made of premium food-grade silicone material and are BPA-free. You can use the bottles repeatedly after cleaning and save money on wasted single-use bags, making them a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional, single-use bags. Their easy-to-use and multifunctional design allows you to store more than just milk - any liquid, mushy food, such as fruit juice, puree and oatmeal can be stored for later use.
Buy now £22.00, Amazon
ASDA Maternity 25 Breast Milk Storage Bags
Keep things simple with these ASDA Maternity 25 Breast Milk Storage Bags. These leak-proof, double-seal bags are suitable for storing in the fridge or freezer and come pre-sterilised, so you can unpack them and use them without any cleaning required. They're renowned for being good quality, budget-friendly and easy to use.
Buy now £3.93, Asda
Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags
Perfect for storing breast milk in the fridge or the freezer, upright or laid down with no risks of leaks, these Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags have a hygiene-proof, tamper-evident and secure tear-away top. Designed to pump directly into milk storage bags and feeding bottles, each breastmilk holder can store up to 6 fl oz/180 ml and comes with a write-on-tab to keep track of how long the breast milk has been stashed for.
Buy now £8.00, Amazon
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Breast Milk Storage Bags
These Tommee Tippee Milk Storage Bags are pre-sterilised, which means you can pour expressed milk directly into the bags. Their gusseted base enables the bags to easily stand up, for easy transfer while their double-fastened seal ensures there are no spills or leaks. You can write directly onto each bag your name, date and volume, which in those early days of breastfeeding means one less thing to remember.
Buy now £5.99, Tommee Tippee
Boots Breast Milk Storage Bags 30s
These pre-sterilised, easy-seal bags are designed for the storage of expressed breast milk and are best stored upright for easy freezing purposes. The 30-pack ensures you've always got a bag to hand, and the budget-friendly price means re-stocking won't set you back too much.
Buy now £7.55, Boots
Elvie Breastmilk Pump Storage Bottle, Pack of 3
This pack of three milk storage bottles allows you to collect and conveniently store your breastmilk for future use in a way that's a little more environmentally friendly than the single-use options. Made from transparent BPA-free plastic, the bottles come with an easy seal lid and are dishwasher, fridge and freezer safe for easy use.
Buy now £25.46, John Lewis
Medela Breast Milk Store & Feed Set
The Medela Breast Milk Store and Feed Set offers a complete collection of products and resources to help you get breastfeeding and breast pumping started right. What does that include? Everything you need for the first few weeks. The 150ml collection bottles can be used with all Medela breast pumps while the pump and save bags provide space-saving storage in the freezer and fridge, as well as being hygienic and ready to use.
Buy now £21.20, John Lewis
Vital Baby Nurture Easy Pour Breast Milk Storage Bags
Each of the 30 Vital Baby Nurture Breast Milk Storage Bags comes with a double-lock seal ensuring every drop of breast milk is kept safe when stored in the fridge or freezer. Their clever, one-way flow design prevents breast milk from contamination by ensuring that once the bag is filled, the zip closure area is not touched again, maintaining maximum hygiene. The integrated easy-pour spout also reduces the risk of spilling breast milk when decanting into your bottle to feed.
Buy now £5.88, Amazon
Verdict
These Nanobebe 25 Breastmilk Storage Bags come complete with a handy organiser to save some of the stress of feeding your baby. They also thaw far faster, too.
