Freshly pumped milk may be securely stored for 24 hours in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hence, getting a breast milk cooler bag is how you’ll regularly get your milk home for your baby to consume if you’re pumping while you’re traveling or working.
Of course, you may use your ice box or even your lunch box when storing your milk. However, carrying a too-large container or separate ice pack can be uncomfortable for you. Other insulated bags can be too tiny or not suitable for your milk bottles.
Instead of using an icebox, you can now buy several breast milk bags and cooler bags that offer pockets and compartments to properly store your breast milk. Even your breast pump and pumping accessories will fit in some of them.
Read here on how to pump on the go when breast pumping and traveling.
Read here for best deep freezers to store your breast milk.
Do I Need a Breastmilk Cooler Bag?
The last thing a breastfeeding mother wants to deal with, apart from spilling milk from a container, is rotten milk. A cooler bag is necessary if you want to pump breast milk when you are on the road in order to keep the quality of the milk.
There are numerous brands available that can hold baby milk for up to eight hours or more. It can safely store breast milk and prevent it from being spilled. It is also advisable to use ice pack to keep your liquid gold cold.
How to Choose The Best Breastmilk Cooler Bag
First, work out how long you will be out for and how many milk bottles you need to bring whenever you are going out. It can be four bottles up to six bottles or more. Also consider whether you will be needing a freezer pack, sippy cups, and separate ice packs with you. Opting for a reusable ice pack can save you money.
There are brands that are suitable for tall bottles and larger bottles. Alongside of that, you may need freezable gel or freezer packs to keep everything cold. You may notice that some brands offer reusable ice packs for storing breast milk.
How Long Can Breastmilk Last in a Breastmilk Cooler Bag?
As a breastfeeding mom, you may keep your milk for up to 24 hours. Putting it in an insulated bag with ice packs can keep it fresh and prevent it from being spoiled.
After that, your breastmilk must be consumed by your baby. If your baby isn’t going to consume the milk immediately, it can be refrigerated, or frozen to prolong its shelf life. When you are out and about after pumping, store the breast milk in your cooler bag with plenty of ice packs and transfer it into the freezer as soon as you get home.
Getting all the essentials that you need to keep your milk cold and in good condition will help you pump comfortably while you are outside of your house or at work. It can also prevent you from having spilled milk. To understand the shelf life of breast milk, read this chart by CDCP regarding the proper handling of breast milk.
Prior to feeding your baby frozen breast milk, ensure you thaw the frozen breast milk before giving it to your baby. Once thawed, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day or 24 hours. However, make sure not to refreeze this item because it will not be good for your babies.
For freshly expressed breast milk, it can be stored for 4 days in the fridge and placed in the freezer for 6 to 12 months. If you leave it at room temperature, make sure that your baby consumes it within 4 hours. In the case where your babies have leftovers after feeding, you will have to discard the milk after 2 hours.
Just remember to bring breast pump bags to store your milk if you are outside. Keeping your milk safe and properly stored is a priority for the benefit of your baby.
Best Breastmilk Cooler Bag for Travel
Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler And Double Baby Bottle Bag
This bag can hold up to four bottles or two large bottles containing your milk. It is easy to clean because of the materials used to build this product.
You can place this product in a stroller or diaper bag whenever you are traveling with your baby. It has an insulated cooler bag that can keep the quality of your milk and prevent it from being spoiled. This product appears to be a popular option compared to breast milk cooler bags out there due to affordability.
Itzy Ritzy Chill Like A Boss Bottle Bag
If you want to have a bottle bag that can store up to three bottles, this one is for you. It comes with a modern look and provides additional space for your baby’s food. It is spacious and can also be used as a lunch box in case you are not using it as a bottle bag. It has various designs that you can choose from.
You can use it as a diaper bag too aside from putting breast milk bottles.
Medela Breast Milk Cooler and Transport Set
Medela cooler bag is one of the best cooler bags in the United States. It offers a great space to hold your breast milk for a couple of hours. This product is BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, and Lead-Free which is safe for you and your baby to carry around.
When you buy this Medela Breast milk cooler and transport set it comes with a cooler bag, an ice pack, and 4 bottles. This is a great option for you if you want to have an entire cooler and an all-in-one bag for your frozen milk.
Coleman 24-Hour 9-Can Cooler Bag
This Coleman cooler bag has the capacity for up to 9 cans/bottles. It can keep your milk cold for up to 24 hours. This is a popular bag for those who go on long road trips and camping. You can also use it as one of your breast milk storage bags.
It is insulated and the material used in this Coleman bag is antimicrobial. It has the ability to resist unpleasant smells from food and liquid items stored in it.
Momcozy Insulated Baby Bottle Bag
This Momcozy baby bottle cooler bag has a detachable shoulder strap bag and also a detachable buckle. It is also considered a good breastmilk cooler bag. If your milk bottles are 6 inches taller, you have to remove the compartment to store them properly. Tall bottles require extra space to fit inside the bag.
Additionally, it is fully insulated and waterproof. This bag can keep your food warm or your milk cold depending on your preferences.
Lekebaby Breast Milk Cooler Bag
This Lekebaby cooler bag comes in six different styles and can hold up to 8 liters. There are also zippers on top and at the front of the bag for easy access. The capacity of this breast pump bag is 10.6 x 5.9 x 7.7 inches which is larger compared to other cooler bags in the market. This breast milk cooler bag comes with a reusable contoured ice pack that comes in handy.
It is leakproof and durable and can hold up to 6 large milk baby bottles. You can also place some of your freezer bags with included ice pack.
Teamoy Breastmilk Cooler Bag
This Teamoy breastmilk cooler bag is soft and can hold up to 9 ounces. It can hold up to 4 bottles of milk. This bag is also suitable for different bottle brands and comes with a detachable buckle design. It is also waterproof and leakproof which is a great feature in breast milk coolers.
Sarah Wells Cold Gold Breastmilk Cooler Bag
If you want a breast milk cooler bag that comes with fancy designs and various choices, get a Sarah Wells to keep your breast milk cold. It is Bisphenol-A, Lead, Polyvinyl Chloride, and Phthalate free which is safe for you and your child. Sarah Wells also offers a lifetime warranty for this product.
It comes with other features such as extra storage pockets for your pumping bags, easy to clean, and can keep your breastmilk cold for 8 hours.
Breastmilk Chiller Reusable Storage Container by CERES CHILL
When you are not a fan of bags, this Ceres Chill breast milk chiller is a good fit for you. This has the capacity of up to 32 oz which is great for breastfeeding moms like you. It is travel friendly and can provide an extra layer of protection against contamination.
This product offers a lifetime warranty. Buying this Ceres Chill container can be done through your Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, or Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangements. Which means you can use these to pay medical costs and other healthcare expenses related to your pregnancy.
You can place it in a dishwasher after using it to keep it clean and sanitize it. This product is suitable for almost all pumps used by breastfeeding moms. Bottle nipples can be placed in separate bags in case you are bringing your pump with you.
Get Your Breastmilk Cooler Bag and Keep Your Liquid Gold Fresh
Get Your Breastmilk Cooler Bag and Keep Your Liquid Gold Fresh
As you can see, there are many breastmilk cooler bags available on the market. Work out your needs then it will be easy to choose one that works best for you. We have done the hardwork and narrowed down a list of popular breastmilk cooler bags based on customer reviews. Choose your breastmilk cooler bag and keep your liquid gold fresh whenever you are out and about.
If you are pumping and storing frozen breast milk at home, read this article on the breast deep freezer for storing breast milk.
Read here to find out best bottles for breastfed babies to minimize nipple confusion.
Read here on what to pack in your diaper bag.
