Breast Milk Freezer Storage Trays: Pros and Cons and Types

Breast milk storage trays are plastic containers with compartments or divided sections. They are similar to regular ice cube trays, with some important differences. They're made from food-safe materials so that you can safely freeze and store your breast milk, homemade baby food, or other food items. They also have lids to keep your breast milk or food items covered and protected.

Why Would You Use Breast Milk Storage Trays?

Breast milk storage trays make it easy to freeze your breast milk in small portions. And, when you have small portions, you can defrost just what you need without having to worry about wasting any of that precious breast milk. You'll find it's the perfect amount for mixing with baby food or cereal, and great for newborns who only drink a few ounces of breast milk at a time.

The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends freezing breast milk in 2- to 4-ounce amounts, or the amount to be offered at one feeding.

Regular ice cube trays aren't designed for the storage of breast milk, so they shouldn't be used for this purpose. Although you shouldn't use regular ice cube trays to store breast milk, you can use breast milk trays to make ice. So, once you no longer need to store breast milk, you don't have to get rid of your breast milk storage trays. You can use them the same way you would use ice cube trays.

Freezing and Storing Breast Milk With Trays

Breast milk storage trays are stackable to maximize the storage space in your freezer, and the lids provide protection against contamination, odors, and freezer burn.

Breast milk stored in trays freezes and defrosts more quickly when compared to milk stored in glass containers, plastic bottles, or plastic bags. Once it's frozen, you can leave your breast milk in the storage trays until you're ready to use it, or you can remove it from the trays and place it into freezer-safe bags for further storage. If you remove it, you can then reuse the trays to freeze another batch. Just remember to wash your hands before handling breast milk, and place the date on each storage bag.

Advantages

Breast milk storage trays are stackable for easy storage in your freezer.
Helps eliminate waste since you only defrost what you need.
Breast milk stored in trays freezes and defrosts faster.
The trays can be washed and reused.
You can use the trays for more than just breast milk. They're ideal for storing small portions of homemade baby food, too.

Disadvantages

Breast milk trays don't hold very much milk. For storing a larger amount of breast milk, you'll need to use containers that can hold more.
You can't pump directly into the storage trays. You'll have to pump into another container and then transfer your breast milk into the storage trays.
You may have to use your hands to transfer the frozen milk from the tray to a bottle or another container. Touching breast milk can contaminate it.

Here are two brands of breast milk storage trays available.

Fresh Baby So Easy Food and Breast Milk Trays

Fresh Baby Breast Milk Freezer Storage Trays — Fresh Baby So Easy Food and Breast Milk Trays. Amazon

Fresh Baby Trays are made from Bisphenol A (BPA)-free and phthalate-free food-safe plastic specifically designed to freeze and store breast milk. Each tray makes 12 cubes, which vary from 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce in size. The airtight lid helps to prevent spills while protecting the breast milk from freezer burn, contamination, and freezer odors. These trays are dishwasher safe and stackable.

Sensible Lines Breast Milk Trays

Sensible Lines Breast Milk Freezer Storage Trays — Sensible Lines Breast Milk Tray. Amazon

Sensible Lines Breast Milk Trays are made from medical grade plastic. They are BPA-free, phthalate-free, and do not contain dyes. Instead of cubes, these trays freeze the milk into rods, or sticks so they can fit directly into the opening of a bottle. Each tray makes 8 one-ounce servings. The trays are freezer-safe, reusable, and stackable. The fitted covers protect breast milk from odors and freezer burn. Sensible Lines Breast Milk Trays are not designed for long-term storage. For long-term storage, the frozen milk sticks can be placed into freezer safe storage bags and dated.

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