Best Breast Milk Storage Bag

By Cindy Puppos | November 21, 2022


Having the right breast milk storage bag is essential for safe and convenient breast milk storage and travel. Here is a quick guide to help you find the perfect storage bag.

Around 58.3% of infants at six months old are exclusively breastfed. Breast milk has several health advantages for the mother and baby, with many national and international health agencies pushing for higher numbers of breastfed children. If you are breastfeeding your child or preparing for future feedings, you might be curious about how to store excess milk from breast pumps. Breast pumps are excellent products for preparing milk between natural feedings or helping with higher milk production.

While many turn to bottles, a storage bag can be more versatile for your needs. Luckily, we have a complete breast milk storage bag guide for you. In our guide, we will review our top choice and two runner-ups to help you get started with purchasing your new breast milk bags today!

Why Do You Need a Storage Bag for Breast Milk

Storage bags are ideal for freezing and storing breast milk to feed your infant later. Storage bags allow you to use a breast pump between natural feedings and store the milk for another use or travel needs.

Here are some key reasons a storage bag is ideal compared to bottles:

  • Compact
  • Affordable
  • Convenient
  • Less cleanup
  • Versatile for refrigerator or freezer
  • Easy labeling

An important distinguishing factor between breast milk storage bags and traditional plastic bags is their durability and use. Plastic bags are not designed for storing breast milk and are prone to tears and leaks. Breast milk bags are made from higher-quality products that fit easily into a mom bag or freezer without spoiling the product. However, it is essential that you properly store breast milk at specific temperatures before use. Freshly pumped breast milk should be stored at 77°F or cooler for four hours. You can keep it in a refrigerator for four days or a freezer for six to twelve months.

Best Breast Milk Storage Bag

Lansinoh breast milk storage bags are one of the best options on the market. Lansinoh delivers high-quality products, from breast pumps to storage bottles and bags. Here are some key reasons why Lansinoh storage bags are our number one choice:

  • Sterile and hygienic
  • Disposable
  • Easy-to-use
  • Direct pumping
  • Pour spout
  • Secure seal
  • 6-ounce size

Some new parents may hesitate over the smaller breast milk storage bag sizes. You should not store large amounts of breast milk, especially if you are freezing it. In fact, many experts encourage smaller storage containers. If you are freezing your breast milk, aim for two to four-ounce amounts with an inch left at the top of the bag. Lansinoh's storage bags are also recyclable and designed to lay flat in freezers to save space.

Ideally, you may want to pair your new Lansinoh storage bag with a Lansinoh breast pump. The storage bags are specifically designed to pump straight into the bag, eliminating transferring breast milk from bottles to bags and saving potential spills. The Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 is an electronic pump with dual pumping options, making it ideal for women who also produce lower breast milk quantities. It is portable, lightweight, and versatile, with adjustable suctioning. Pairing these two items together will make it easier for you to feed your infant between natural breastfeeding sessions.

Runner-Up Storage Bags

Medela and Spectra are two other brands that make high-quality storage bags. Medela storage bags are one of the best bags for travel or on-the-go use. Here are some of the reasons Medela might work for you:

  • Designed for transportation
  • Thicker material compared to Lansinoh
  • Double zipper seal
  • Transport pouch
  • Adapter to pump directly into the bag

However, Medela's bags are less ideal for direct feedings and are not recyclable, pushing them just a bit down the list. Spectra storage bags are another excellent option if you like freestanding bags. While Medela does offer freestanding or flat-laying options, Spectra provides sturdier bags that support standing upright and have an easy resealable zipper. Some new parents do not enjoy the more complex tear-off feature that Lansinoh products have and find Spectra more user-friendly in that department. Spectra isn't as widely used as other bags but does come with 30 or 90-bag order options, making it ideal for parents who want storage versatility.

Should You Purchase a Cooler Bag?

Storage bags can easily be used in an at-home refrigerator. Sometimes, you may need to take your storage bag on the go. A cooler bag is ideal for keeping your breast milk cool before use. Cooler bags are insulated and can work for bottles or storage bags. Medela offers a cooler bag that can work for their breast milk bags or bottles. It does come with four bottles and a reusable ice pack. However, one of the best options is the Idaho Jones Roxwell Breast Milk Cooler.

It fits four 8-ounce bottles or multiple storage bags for up to eight hours. The Idaho Jones Roxwell cooler also sports an easy-to-carry design that can also fit inside breast pump bags. As an added benefit, this cooler bag comes with an interior waterproof feature that prevents potential spills from leaking out.

Find Your Ideal Storage Bag Today

A breast milk storage bag should be versatile, affordable, and durable. You need large enough bags that grow with your infant's feeding needs. You also need a bag that is leakproof, easy to use, and recyclable.

For those reasons, we chose the Lansinoh breast milk bags as our top choice. It checks all our key requirement boxes and boasts an excellent reputation among working parents like yourself.

Are you interested in getting started? Check out our breast milk storage bags today and consider subscribing to our Milkzoom™ program. 1 Natural Way’s Milkzoom™ program delivers breast pump accessories (including milk storage bags) for all of the best breast pump brands, through insurance and straight to your door. This is an incredibly convenient solution for busy moms who do not have the time to hassle with insurance coverage and shopping for the right accessories.


Cindy Puppos

About the Author

Cindy Puppos is 1 Natural Way's Customer Service Manager, so she has a good idea of all the different and wonderful questions that moms have for her team. Thankfully, as the mother of two boys (who are now grown!) and a veteran of the company and breastfeeding, Cindy is always knowledgeable about breastfeeding, pumping and all the latest and greatest pumps!

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