The Best Breast Milk Storage Bags Keep Your Liquid Gold Safe and Secure

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One essential item parents who are pumping and storing breast milk need is a quality breast milk storage bag. Once you’ve started pumping, you'll want to safely store any breast milk as that can maximize its nutritional value and ultimately benefit your little one’s health.

While it may seem like any container in your kitchen can make do, Leigh Anne O’Connor, IBCLC, LCCE, recommends bags that “attach easily to the pump, have a good and easy seal, and feature BPA-free plastic.” 

Take into account how often you personally pump, which will influence the budget you have as well as the bag’s capacity (though most will have a maximum capacity of 6 ounces). Equally important is pre-sterilization and a secure closure type, to minimize waste. We carefully considered design, material, value, ease of cleaning, pumping compatibility, and and capacity when reviewing products.

No matter where you are on your feeding journey, these are the best breast milk storage bags on the market.  

Best Overall

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Lansinoh-breastmilk-storage-bags

Amazon

Pros
  • Double zipper closure

  • Double seamed sides

  • Can pump directly into the bags with compatible pumps

Cons
  • Single use

  • Aren’t universal to fit any breast pump (converters are available, though)

The Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags earned our top spot because they have a special design to help avoid any seepage. The bags, which hold up to 6 ounces, are sterilized and ready to go, and the double zipper prevents messy leaks. They can lay flat in your refrigerator or freezer for easy storage, and they have a pour spout to make transferring the breast milk into a bottle easy.

For added convenience, you can pump directly into these bags, so there are no extra bottles to wash. If you use a Lansinoh pump, then you’re all set. If you use another brand, you can still pump directly into the bags, you’ll just need to use an adapter (sold separately).

Key Specs:
Capacity: 6 ounces | Closure Type: Double Zipper | Quantity: 100

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Dr. Brown's Store Breastmilk Storage Bag

Dr. Brown's Breastmilk Storage Bag, 50 Count

Amazon

Pros
  • Stand upright

  • Double zipper closure

  • Easy labeling

Cons
  • Can’t pump directly into them

  • Single use

Thick and durable, these breast milk storage bags from Dr. Brown’s are simple and straightforward to use. They can hold up to 6 ounces of milk and are self-standing, so they’re easy to fill.  

Women say these extra-thick, BPA-free bags are sturdy, and countless satisfied customers say double-zipper closure means they never leak. They also like the fact that they lie flat in the freezer, which means you can store more in a smaller area. You can’t pump directly into these bags, but their high quality makes them worth the extra steps for many.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 6 ounces | Closure Type: Double Zipper | Quantity: 50

Best Budget

Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags

Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags - 6oz/180ml, 100 count

Walmart

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Come sterilized

  • No leaking

Cons
  • Cannot pump into them directly

  • Not reusable

For less than 13 cents a bag, these breast milk storage bags from Medela get top marks all around. The self-standing bags have many of the same features as more expensive bags, such as a double-zipper closure and a flat profile for freezing and defrosting, but the price is hard to beat. Bonus: They also come with a transport pouch that keeps unused bags clean.

These bags aren’t designed to be pumped into directly, but for simple storage, women say they’re great. They say the material is strong, and they feel confident storing their precious breast milk in these bags. While bags are labeled to hold 6 ounces, many women report you can actually get much more than that in them.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 6 ounces | Closure Type: Double Zipper | Quantity: 100

Best Breast With Spouts

Ameda Store Store N Pour Breast Milk Storage Bags

Ameda Store N Pour Breast Milk Storage Bags, 40-Count

Amazon

Pros
  • Designed to pump directly into them

  • Don’t leak

  • Easy to pour from

Cons
  • Smaller capacity

  • Only 40 in a pack

When it comes to pouring your breast milk from the bag into a bottle, you want to make sure that you don’t spill a drop. These breast milk storage bags from Ameda each come with an easy-pour spout to make sure it all gets into the bottle with no waste. To use, you just tear off the corner and pour. You can pump directly into these bags, though you will need an adapter.

Women say they’re convenient and well-made, and it’s a bit perplexing why more bags don’t come with a similar spout. Some report leaks with these bags and they only hold 5 ounces, so if you’re pumping a lot of milk they may not be the best choice. Overall, however, most women give these bags a glowing review.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 5 ounces | Closure Type: Zip Seal | Quantity: 40

Best Large Quantity

Mommy's Precious Breastmilk Storage Bags

Mommys-precious-breastmilk-storage-bags

Amazon

Pros
  • Hold up to 8 ounces

  • Bulk quantity in box

  • Pre sterilized

Cons
  • Small writing label

  • Single use

If you’re pumping large quantities of milk, good for you mama, but you also want storage bags that can hold a significant amount of all that goodness you’re producing. While many breast milk storage bags on the market store just 5–6 ounces of milk, these from Mommy’s Precious are designed to hold 8 ounces, and some women report that they can get up to 10 ounces in them. The bags are self-standing and freeze flat.

Hundreds of women give these bags a top rating. They say they’re durable and don’t leak at all, and they love the bigger size as it means using fewer bags overall.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 8 ounces | Closure Type: Double Zip Lock | Quantity: 110

Best for Travel

Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Bags

Kiinde Twist Pouch Direct-Pump Direct-Feed Twist Cap Breast Milk Storage Bags for Pumping, Freezing, Heating and Feeding, Pre-Sterilized, 6 Ounce, pack of 80

Amazon

Pros
  • Twist cap closure

  • Can pump directly into them

  • Can attach nipple to convert it into a bottle

Cons
  • On the pricier end

  • Cannot be reused

  • Take up more freezer space because of their design

For a twist on traditional zippered breast milk storage bags, there are these bags from Kiinde. You can collect, store and prepare the milk for your baby all in one pouch, which is both convenient and economical. They lock onto any pump with an adapter, which is sold separately, and a twist-on cap keeps them secure while they're being frozen. When it’s time to feed ​the baby, you attach a nipple to the top. There are no bottles or other accessories to wash. The bags are self-standing, freeze flat, and are designed to hold up to 6 ounces of milk. They are also available in 8 oz size.

While they’re a bit more expensive than traditional bags, thousands of women say they’re worth it. While some say the twist caps take up more freezer space and make them more difficult to organize, most say the ease of use makes up for that.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 6 ounces | Closure Type: Twist Cap | Quantity: 80

Best No-Leak

NUK Simply Natural Seal n' Go Breast Milk Bags

NUK Simply Natural Seal n' Go Breast Milk Bags, 50CT

Amazon

Pros
  • 100% leak proof design

  • Durable

Cons
  • Cannot pump directly into them

  • Self-standing, but often fall

Every drop counts when it comes to breast milk, and these Nuk Seal N Go breast milk storage bags come with a 100 percent leak-proof guarantee. Thick and durable, the self-standing bags are designed to hold up to 6 ounces of milk.

They’re not designed for direct pumping, and some women report that they don’t stand up well when filling. Overall, however, most women say they’re a solid, affordable option for safely storing breast milk.

Key Specs:
Capacity: 6 ounces | Closure Type: Double zip | Quantity: 25, 50, 100 or 200

Final Verdict

While all of these breast milk storage bags are great, Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags (view at Amazon) ranks highest on our list because you can pump directly into them, they are well-made and won’t leak, and they have a spout that makes it easy to pour milk into bottles.

What to Look for in a Breast Milk Storage Bag

Cost

Since the vast majority of breast pump bags are single-use, you will want to consider how many you will be using in a given day, week, and month,  and what the overall cost will be. There are many  factors that play into how many bags you’ll use, like whether or not you’re exclusively pumping, how much milk you are able to produce in a single session, and how long you anticipate pumping. 

You may consider buying in bulk, as the amount of bags you use definitely adds up over time, so even a $.10 difference in price per bag can make a huge impact on your wallet

Capacity

How much milk do you tend to output in a single session? Some women get one or two ounces in a single session while others can seem to produce more milk than they know what to do with. Based on your personal supply, consider whether a six ounce bag would be sufficient or if you need something that can hold eight ounces. Or, maybe you want to get a few different sizes so that you are prepared no matter what. Regardless, be sure to pay attention to how much the bags can hold and consider that amount in relation to your standard output. 

The Cleveland Clinic recommends storing milk in small, two to four ounce portions, especially for infants less than six weeks old. Smaller increments can help reduce waste once defrosted and speed up warming time.Closure Type

There is a reason they call breast milk “liquid gold” and the last thing you want is for your milk storage bag to start leaking, wasting all of that goodness. This means you want to look for a durable storage bag that’s designated for breast milk, doesn’t tear at the seams easily, and closes tightly.

The most common closure types are twist top, single zip, and double zip. None of these styles are guaranteed spill-proof, but, depending on the brand, some are more reliable than others. When you’re shopping for a breast milk storage bag, read over some customer reviews to see whether or not other users have had frequent issues with leaking or adequately sealing the bag. 

Material 

Most breast milk storage bags tend to be made of plastic, and it’s an especially budget-friendly material. While it may be tempting to reach for any plastic container you have lying around, the best options are designed specifically to hold breast milk. 

If you do decide to go with plastic, make sure the bag is BPA-free (look for bags without the recycle symbol 7). Storage bags tend to be the most prone to leakage compared to plastic or glass containers, so take into account details like secure closure types, double zippers, and extra thickness. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long can breast milk stay at room temperature before it’s unusable?

    According to lactation consultant Amanda DeWeese, MPH, CPH, IBCLC, the CDC recently updated their recommendation for breast milk storage, and the “Rule of 5’s” no longer applies. Instead, they advise parents to follow a “4-4-6 rule,”where fresh milk can stay at room temperature (77 degrees F or below) for up to four hours, in the refrigerator for four days, or in a freezer for up to six months. 

    Carefully following timing rules helps prevent the opportunity for bacteria to multiply, and to be extra safe, make sure not to refreeze breast milk and to limit its exposure to heat and direct sunlight. 


  • Can I reuse breast milk storage bags?

    This depends entirely on the brand that you purchase. “Most breastmilk storage bags are disposable and not meant to be reused,” DeWeese says. “However, there are some brands that are specifically made to be reused, including those made from thicker, stronger plastic or silicone materials.” 

    You should look closely at the manufacturer’s information to determine whether or not the bags are reusable. And  if they are, DeWeese notes that even those can only be used a certain number of times before they need to be replaced. Some options are even recyclable so you can feel better about single-use bags.

  • How often should I pump breast milk for storage?

    “One needs to pump if they are separated from their baby or if baby is not latching,” says Leigh Anne O’Connor, IBCLC, LCCE. She continues, “A person will want to pump if their baby gets a bottle as this keeps the body in balance with baby’s needs and avoids clogged milk ducts which can lead to low milk supply.”

    Based on your personal supply or preferences, you may choose to pump regularly, or only occasionally. If you choose to exclusively pump, and have a newborn, aim to pump every few hours, up to 12 times a day. 

    As your baby grows older, expect them to need a larger supply and more spaced out pumping sessions. When baby reaches six months old, they will need between 36 and 48 ounces per day

  • How do I thaw breast milk?

    As heat can destroy precious nutrients, there are several methods recommended by the Cleveland Clinic and CDC. When you’re ready to thaw frozen breast milk, always choose the oldest milk in the freezer to prevent a decrease in quality. Your first option is to run the container under lukewarm water for several minutes. Avoid microwaves as they don’t offer even heat distribution

    For another defrosting method, you can also heat water in a pan and after removing from the stove, place the container inside. Before giving the milk to your little one, always test the temperature to make sure it’s not too hot. You can also wait for the milk to cool down to room temperature, though this may not be up to your baby’s preferences. Once the breast milk has thawed, make sure to use it all in one sitting, or within two hours. 

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products.

Additional reporting by Tori Zhou.

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