How to Express & Store Breast Milk for Donation
Whether you’re new to the idea of breast milk donation or already pumping and storing at home, this guide is designed to help you understand how you can safely express, store, and donate your milk to help babies across Australia who need it most.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll not only know the practical steps for expressing and preserving your milk, but you’ll also have a deeper appreciation of how your donation makes a life-changing difference for vulnerable infants. Together, let’s ensure your generous gift is handled with the utmost care—from your home freezer all the way to the hungry mouths it will feed.
Our Guide to Expressing and Storing Breast Milk for Donation is co-created with Lynne Hall, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and an experienced Midwife who has devoted her career to empowering mothers throughout their breastfeeding journeys.
Lynne provides comprehensive support, including prenatal education, in-hospital assistance, and same-day consultations for urgent breastfeeding concerns. Drawing on both evidence-based practice and a deep compassion for the families she serves, Lynne’s goal is to ensure every mother feels confident and well-informed at every stage. You can learn more about Lynne’s services on her website.
“Thank you for considering donating your extra breast milk to the Mothers Milk Bank Charity. Your contribution helps ensure babies can receive breast milk either exclusively or as a supplement.” ~ Lynne Hall, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Midwife.
Key Principles for Expressing Breast Milk
- Expressing before a feed yields more volume
- Expressing after a feed stimulates the supply
- Morning expression typically yields a higher volume
- Consistency in timing helps build and manage your supply
Guidelines for Cleaning Your Pumping Equipment
If you are using any pumping equipment for the first time, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilising.
If you are expressing several times a day, rinse your expressing equipment several times in cold water after each use to remove the milk. Wash in warm soapy water and use a bottle brush to clean the bottle if needed. Rinse in cold running water. Drain on clean paper or cloth towels – never on a draining rack. Dry thoroughly and cover or store in the fridge between use.
If it is only being used once a day or less, clean it after each use. Thorough cleaning with a bottle brush is important to make sure you have removed all milk from the breast pump parts and storage containers.
Expressing equipment should be cleaned very well at least once every 24 hours – you can use your dishwasher, a steriliser or hand wash in hot soapy water, rinse well in hot water and drain on a clean towel or paper towels
Cover while they air dry on top of a clean towel or paper towel and not on your draining rack. Before putting away, make sure there are no water droplets left in the containers or on any parts. If any water remains, dry carefully with a new paper towel or a clean cloth towel. Store the dry kit in a new plastic bag, plastic wrap, more paper towels or a clean, covered container until the next use.
Getting started
- Choose your preferred method: hand pump with natural suction, manual or electric pump
- Express at times when breasts feel heavy and full (often early morning)
- Express from the breast you would normally feed from to maintain natural patterns
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water before using equipment and expressing
- Tie back long hair
Inspect all pump parts for damage - Ensure all components are properly cleaned and sanitized
- Have sterile storage containers ready
Stimulating Milk Flow
- Encourage letdown by gently stimulating your upper lip with your tongue
- Softly massage from to off the breast towards your nipple and stretch nipples for a few moments before you start
- Look at your baby or a photo, or smell their clothing
Stay relaxed and positive - Once the 1st initial flow has slowed or stopped, set aside the pump and continue with breastfeeding your baby.
During Expressing
- Lean forward occasionally to help milk drain into the container
- Keep the vacuum at a comfortable setting – low and comfortable
- Maintain a good seal on the breast without excessive pressure
- Expressing should never hurt or damage your nipples or leave red marks on your breast
Breast Milk Storage Guidelines
- Store milk in BPA-free specific breast milk bags or sterile, airtight containers
- Seal the container of expressed breastmilk (EBM) and clearly label with the date. Place the container in the coldest part of the freezer.
- If you want to add freshly expressed breastmilk to some that is already chilled or frozen, must first cool it in the fridge. Add it, then put it straight back into the freezer or fridge.
- Label all containers with:
– Date and time of expression
– Your name - Store in sterile, airtight containers or breast milk storage bags
- Keep containers upright to prevent leakage
- Refrigerate immediately at 4°C or below for freezing
- Use a freezer maintaining -18°C or colder
- Store in the back of freezer for consistent temperature
- We accept milk stored for 6 -12 months in a deep freezer
- Leave expansion space in containers
To learn more about specific storage guidelines, refer to this guide.
Transport Safety
We will send you insulated cooler bags and specific transportation instructions.
Preserve Your Liquid Gold: The Power of Freeze-Dried Breast Milk
Every drop of breast milk you express tells a story of love, dedication, and countless late-night pumping sessions. As mothers, we know the emotional journey of building up our precious milk supply. But what if you could preserve that journey and the nourishment it represents, not just for weeks or months, but for years to come?
Transform your frozen breast milk into a lasting gift through freeze-drying, opening up a world of possibilities for you and your little one:
Peace of Mind
Never worry about your carefully collected milk expiring in the freezer. Your liquid gold transforms into a stable powder that maintains its nutritional integrity for extended periods.
Simple Storage Solution
Free up valuable freezer space by storing your milk safely in your pantry – no more juggling frozen bags or stressing about power outages.
A Gift for the Future
Save milk for your next baby or gift to another mama in need. Your freeze-dried milk becomes a precious resource that can help nourish little ones for years to come.
Adventure Ready
Heading back to work? Taking a family trip? Pack your powdered breast milk with confidence, knowing you can provide nourishment anywhere, anytime.
Share the Love
Connect with other mothers by sharing your milk with those who need it – shipping is simple, safe, and practical when your milk is freeze-dried.
Ready to donate milk? If you’re ready to donate breast milk, you can learn more about the steps to becoming a donor or start by registering as a donor.
