Donor milk banks: service operation

Milk containers

Milk bank staff should advise you to collect and store your milk only in containers that have been supplied or approved by the milk bank. The containers should be used according to instructions given to you by the milk bank.

Freezing donated milk

You should be encouraged to freeze your milk as soon as possible after expressing it, but if you are unable to do this (for example, if you don't have much space in your freezer), you can keep all the samples that you collect over 24 hours in the fridge and then freeze them together. You should freeze all milk within 24 hours of expressing it.

While you are storing milk at home, it should remain frozen and be transported to the milk bank as soon as possible. However, if it is necessary, you can store milk in your freezer (at a temperature of –18ºC or lower) for up to 3 months. If you don't have access to a freezer at your home, you may be able to store your milk at local donor milk depots or children's centres.

Milk bank staff should ask you to check and record your freezer temperature every day and should supply you with the equipment you need to do this. If you have any concerns about your freezer at home or how you are storing your milk, discuss these with staff at the milk bank.