What is important for the nurse to teach about breast milk storage?

When educating about breast milk storage, it is essential to emphasize the appropriate duration for refrigerating fresh expressed milk, which is a maximum of 48 hours. This guideline helps to ensure the safety and quality of breast milk, as it can harbor bacteria if stored for too long, which may lead to spoilage or contamination.

Breast milk can be safely refrigerated for a short period, allowing parents to have ready access to nutritional milk while minimizing the risk of bacterial growth. Storing breast milk in the refrigerator maintains its beneficial components, such as antibodies and enzymes, which can help protect the infant's health.

In contrast, breast milk can be stored at room temperature for shorter durations (up to 4 hours), and while frozen breast milk is encouraged for longer storage, the recommendation about glass containers is not specific, as it can be stored in various container types that are BPA-free. It's also important to use thawed milk promptly to ensure freshness and safety, but the 24-hour guideline primarily applies to thawed milk, rather than freshly expressed milk in the fridge.