Freeze Drying Breast Milk: The Best Way to Preserve It?

For many working moms nursing their newborns and infants, ensuring the proper preservation of breast milk is crucial.

Balancing work and motherhood involves meticulous planning, particularly when it comes to feeding their babies. That is why many mothers pump breast milk when able to ensure a steady supply so that they can take on other tasks for the family.

Breast milk is universally recognized for its unmatched benefits to an infant’s growth and immune system. It is rich in essential nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes vital for a baby's development and protection against illnesses.

However, the quality and safety of stored breast milk can significantly impact an infant’s health and nutrition, making effective preservation methods essential.

These limitations underscore the need for innovative and reliable storage solutions that maintain the milk’s nutritional integrity over extended periods.

What is Freeze Drying?
Benefits of Freeze Drying Breast Milk
Freeze Drying Breast Milk vs Other Milk Preservation Methods
Downsides of Freeze-Drying Breast Milk
How to Freeze Dry Breast Milk
Rehydrating the Freeze Dried Breast Milk
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions About Freeze Drying Breast Milk

What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a preservation method that involves removing moisture from a substance after it has been frozen.

The process begins by deep-freezing the product at extremely low temperatures. Once frozen, the product undergoes sublimation, where the ice crystals transition directly from a solid to a gas phase without passing through a liquid phase.

This is done under a vacuum, which helps to remove the moisture efficiently.

The result is a lightweight, dry product that retains its original structure and composition but without any moisture content.

Benefits of Freeze Drying Breast Milk

Extended Shelf Life

The shelf-life of freeze-dried breast milk extends up to 3 years.

Nutrient Preservation

Preserves important nutrients for your baby's development.

Convenient

Simply add water or spinkle on solid foods!

Lightweight

No need to bring bulky breast pumps! Freeze-dried breast milk is lightweight and compact.

Prevents Contamination

Freeze-dried breast milk have low moisture content, preventing bacterial growth.

Save Space

Is your freezer full of breast milk bags? Freeze-dried breast milk can be stored at room temperature!

Freeze Drying Breast Milk vs Other Milk Preservation Methods

breastmilk, breast pump, and baby bottle

Traditional preservation methods like refrigeration and freezing are often used to store breast milk but have certain limitations. Refrigeration keeps breast milk fresh for days while freezing extends this to several months.

However, both methods require continuous cold storage and can lead to texture changes and nutrient degradation over time.

Once you remove the breast milk from its cold storage, you cannot put it back due to the risk of contamination and bacterial growth.

In contrast, freeze-drying offers a much longer shelf life without refrigeration. As pointed out earlier, you can store them without keeping them cold. It's less bulky form lets you transport them without a thermal bag or cooler.

Downsides of Freeze-Drying Breast Milk

While freeze-drying breast milk offers numerous benefits, there are several downsides and concerns to consider.

Lack of Research - Healthcare providers are cautious in recommending it due to the limited scientific studies on its safety and efficacy.

Does Not Eliminate Bacteria and Viruses Present in the Milk - Freeze drying removes water, however, any bacteria or virus in the process might still be present in the final product.

Certain Nutrients May Be Reduced - While freeze-drying preserves most of the nutritional components of breast milk, there is some evidence that certain nutrients, like antioxidants, may be reduced.

These potential changes raise concerns about whether freeze-dried breast milk can provide the same level of nutrition as fresh or frozen breast milk. All things considered, freeze-dried breast milk should supplement your baby's milk supply, and not a total replacement.

How to Freeze Dry Breast Milk

The easiest way to get freeze-dried breast milk is with a freeze dryer. A freeze dryer will allow you to input the right settings needed. If you would like to take advantage of this preservation method and understand the possible drawbacks, here is what you need to know about the process.

Step 1: Collecting and Freezing the Breast Milk

Pump your breast milk in clean and put it in sterilized milk bags. Place the milk-filled bags flat in the freezer and freeze them.

Note that the bags when filled should be no wider than your pinky finger to ensure even freezing and drying.

Step 2: Sterilize the Equipment

Wash and sterilize all parts of your freeze dryer that will come into contact with the milk, including trays and containers. This minimizes the risk of contamination of the final product.

Use a steam sterilizer, microwave sterilizer, or boiling method to clean the tools.

If boiling, submerge the equipment in a pot of boiling water for at least 10 minutes.
Place the sterilized equipment on a clean, dry towel in an area free from dust and contaminants.

Allow it to air dry completely, avoiding direct contact with hands or unsterilized surfaces to prevent recontamination.

Step 3: Set Up Freeze Dryer

When setting up your freeze dryer, make sure it is clean, dry, and in a well-ventilated area.

Set drying time for 24-36 hours, depending on the model of your freeze dryer and the quantity of milk.

Step 4: Sublimation Process

Once the milk is frozen, remove the bags from the freezer. Cut the bags open and carefully place the frozen milk slabs onto the sterilized trays of the freeze dryer. Make sure your cutting tools are sterilized.

The freeze dryer will first freeze the milk further to extremely low temperatures. Then, it will create a vacuum and apply a gentle amount of heat to sublimate the ice, turning it directly from solid to gas, creating dry milk powder.

Step 5: Storing the Freeze Dried Breast Milk

Once the drying cycle is complete, remove the trays from the freeze dryer. Use surgical gloves to handle the trays to prevent contamination.

If the milk has formed large flakes, place them in a Ziploc bag and use a hand roller to crush them into a fine powder.

Since this is breast milk, we need to emphasize once more that the containers must be sterilized properly, including drying. This prevents unnecessary moisture development and contamination during storage.

Portion the milk powder into sterilized airtight containers.
Use a vacuum sealer to remove as much air as possible from the packaging.
Label each package with the date of freeze drying to keep track of the shelf life.

When properly stored, the nutritional content should be good for three years from the date of freezing.

Rehydrating the Freeze Dried Breast Milk

baby bottle and freeze dried breast milk

Before rehydrating the freeze-dried breast milk, you should remember that you can’t use any water for this. It has to be free from any impurities. Your best options would be:

Distilled water that’s warm
If distilled water is unavailable, boil the water and let it cool down.

To rehydrate the freeze-dried milk, mix one tablespoon of powder with two ounces of warm water. Swirl or shake until fully dissolved.

Conclusion

We could say that freeze-drying breast milk is one of the best ways to preserve it, given the potential to preserve it while maintaining its nutrients. It's lightweight and can be stored longer than usual, which is handy for trips and emergencies. While it might not be for everyone, given the cost, it is still a game-changing innovation in nursing newborns and infants.

Investing in a quality freeze dryer can provide convenience and peace of mind, knowing you can safely store your breast milk and other food for an extended period.

Should you choose to try freeze-drying breast milk, remember that it should be seen as a supplement, and not a replacement for your child’s milk supply.

Want to know more about freeze drying? Check out these helpful articles:

Frequently Asked Questions About Freeze Drying Breast Milk

◄What is freeze-drying breastmilk?: Freeze-drying is a process that removes water from breastmilk while preserving its nutrients, resulting in a shelf-stable powder.
◄Why would I want to freeze-dry breastmilk?: Freeze-drying allows for long-term storage without a freezer, making it convenient for travel or emergencies.
◄Is freeze-drying breastmilk safe?: Yes, freeze-drying is a safe and common method used by milk banks to preserve breastmilk. No additives or preservatives are involved.
◄Are all nutrients preserved in freeze-dried breastmilk?: Most nutrients remain intact after freeze-drying, but some vitamins may degrade slightly.
◄Is freeze-drying safe for milk with high lipase?: Freeze-drying inactivates the lipase enzyme, which can cause a soapy taste in frozen milk. However, it cannot reverse any taste changes already present.
◄How long can I store freeze-dried breastmilk?: Freeze-dried breastmilk can be stored for several years at room temperature in an airtight container.
◄Can I add freeze-dried breastmilk to food?: Yes, you can add freeze-dried breastmilk to cereal, purees, or other foods as an added nutritional boost.
◄What are the limitations of freeze-dried breastmilk?: Freeze-dried breastmilk cannot replicate the live white blood cells found in fresh milk.
◄How does freeze-drying compare to freezing breastmilk?: Freeze-drying offers longer storage life but is more expensive and requires special equipment. Freezing remains a safe and effective method for shorter-term storage.
◄Can I freeze-dry breastmilk that is past the recommended freezing time?: It's generally not recommended. Freeze-drying is for preserving good quality milk, not salvaging milk past its prime.
◄Are there any regulations around freeze-drying breastmilk?: Regulations may vary depending on your location. It's best to check with a healthcare professional or the specific freeze-drying service for details.
◄Who should consider freeze-drying breastmilk?: Freeze-drying can be beneficial for mothers who travel frequently, pump exclusively, or have concerns about long-term storage.