Breast Milk Storage: Glass vs. Plastic
Glass bottles and containers are a good, environmentally friendly choice especially for long-term breast milk storage in the freezer.
Glass bottles and jars have longevity that allows you to wash and reuse them countless times. They are not only environmentally friendly, but they can save you money in the long run. However, glass containers do have drawbacks to plastic storage containers and bags. As we all know, glass can break which can be dangerous and losing any amount of breast milk can be a devastating event to any breastfeeding mother who understands the value of what has been lost. It is clear to see that using glass containers to store your breast milk has some major advantages as well as a few disadvantages. Let's explore some of the pros and cons of using glass vs. plastic breast milk storage containers.
The Pros:
Glass containers are environmentally friendly which means less garbage filling our landfills.
Glass bottles are reusable and economical. It will be a bigger expense upfront because your initial investment in glass bottles will cost more than plastic storage bags. However, you will be using them again and again so over time they will save you money. You will have to continue to buy plastic storage bags since they are thrown away after each use. Over time, that cost can add up to much more money than making the initial investment in a glass storage system.
The likelihood of leaks and spills is less likely with glass when properly sealed than plastic bags.
Glass provides better protection against contamination.
The Cons:
Glass can be dangerous if it breaks or shatters.
Glass bottles and containers require maintenance. You must wash and store them.
Glass containers take up more room in the refrigerator or freezer compared to storage bags.
You have to defrost glass storage containers slowly to prevent the glass from cracking and breaking.
Freezing and Defrosting Breast Milk in Glass Containers
If you're planning to freeze your breast milk in glass bottles or containers, you should be aware that not all glass is created equally. You should not put regular glass baby food jars, baby bottles or any other glass containers into your freezer unless they are designed to withstand freezing temperatures.
Even freezer-safe glass can break when exposed to temperatures that change quickly. It is extremely important to thaw your glass storage containers very slowly.
How to Safely Fill Glass Containers for Storing Breast Milk in the Freezer
Since breast milk expands during the freezing process, make sure to fill the glass container only ¾ full. If the glass container is too full, it can burst. Filling the bottle or container 3/4 of the way properly allows for the expansion during the freezing process. Then, seal the bottle with an airtight cap to help protect your breast milk from contamination and odors while it remains stored in the freezer.
Glass Breast Milk Storage Bottles and Containers You May Want to Try
Always choose a glass storage system that is specifically designed for food and freezer storage. A large selection of glass freezer storage containers are available to purchase, however, these 3 systems are a few of our favorites to try.
Matyz 6 PCS Glass Breast Milk Collection and Storage Bottles (6oz Each, 3 Colors) - Can Be Used as Glass Baby Bottle with the Bonus Nipples - Leak Proof Design - Use One Bottle to Pump, Store & Feed
Product Description
Size:6 oz | Color:6 PCS, 2 Pink + 2 Blue + 2 Green (SAFETY IS OUR UTMOST PRIORITY)
Made of pharmacy-grade borosilicate glass, our wide neck glass bottles are heat, freeze and thermal shock resistant.
The safe glass material ensures the freshness and purity of milk; no plastic taste; no contamination of the milk.
Ready To Store, Ready To Feed
The bottles work perfectly with most wide mouth pumps - For narrow mouth pumps: such as Medela, bottle convertor is provided (Bonus).
The clear sealing disks can be replaced with nipples (SML sizes, included) so a mom can pump, store and feed from the same bottle to reduce breastmilk transfers and preserve precious breastmilk.
With micro air vents, the silicone nipples prevent nipple collapse, reduce bottle feeding problems: colic, spit-up, burping and gas.
Leakproof And Easy To Read & Clean
The sealing disks are specially design to prevent the leakage, offering superior sanitizing and sustainability.
The easy-to-use bottles are dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe. All parts can be sanitized with water steam or boiling, without worrying for burst.
Clearly marked to measure the breastmilk, not easy to wash off.
Glass bottles can be easily assembled and disassembled for a quick, thorough cleaning between feedings, making your busy life easier.
Food Grade & Safe Material
Wide neck glass bottle set with multiple bottles and nipple sizes to grow with babies.
The bottle and accessories made using 100% food-grade glass & silicone and all the parts to our product are free of harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates and lead.
Attention
Before using, boil all parts for 20 minutes. After each use, wash all parts thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly. Dishwasher-safe (top rack only).
Glass bottles and component parts become brittle when frozen and may break when dropped.
Glass Baby Food Storage Containers - Set contains 12 Small Reusable 4oz Jars with Airtight Lids - Safely Freeze your Homemade Baby Food by Jervis & George
Simple & Airtight Seal
The jars are designed to go into the freezer, microwave or the top shelf of the dishwasher. So simple to use and easy to clean. The screw on lids come with a silicone seal to ensure they are airtight, watertight and leak proof to prevent spills and keep food fresh for longer.
Label
Each storage set comes with a non-toxic, wet erase marker. This means you can write the contents, and date, on each lid. The ink won't smudge and can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
Options
We provide multiple assortments and sizes of jars for you to choose from - 4oz, 8oz, 12oz to 16oz. These come in various colored lids as well as various quantities in a set.
Portion Control
Each jar has measurement markings in oz and ml allowing you exact control over portioning.
Why Jervis & George
At J&G we are all about sustainable, innovative and safe products for our children. We want to ensure our children are eating from quality natural materials that are safer for them and our planet.
Safety is our priority and this is why we regularly perform external safety tests on our products to ensure they are 100% safe for our little ones. No nasty toxins can creep into our products!
Glass is Best
As well as being easier to clean than plastic, glass is safer as its non-porous surface doesn’t absorb food and germs. Switching to glass will make a big change in the amount of toxic chemicals your children are exposed to through food and drinks.
Kerr Quilted Crystal 4-oz Jelly Jars, 12pk:
Decorative quilted pattern
Includes 12 jars with lids and bands
Jars are made of glass
Lids and bands are made of metal
Capacity: 4 fl oz
Freezer safe
Dishwasher safe glass jars
Multi-purpose jars
Ideal for preserving jams, jellies, sauces, flavored vinegar and more Make delicious homemade treats with Kerr Regular Mouth Quilted Crystal Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands, 4 oz., 12 Count. They are ideal for preserving jellies, jams, sauces, mustard, dressing, vinegar and more. The elegant quilted pattern creates a perfect gift. The Kerr jelly jars have lids and bands that are made of metal, and they are freezer safe. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks, freeze up to 1 year, fresh preserve and store up to 1 year. When it comes to canning, there's nothing more important than a quality seal. It ensures that no oxygen gets into the canning jar after processing and that your food will remain preserved just the way you created it.
4 Ounce Mason Bottle Silicone Sleeve
About the product
Extra Grip and Protection: Sleeve perfectly fits a 4 oz. regular-mouth mason jar
Windows with Volume Markings: Ounce and milliliter measurements show approximately how much milk is in the bottle.
Grows with your Family: Upcycle the sleeves to use mason jars for breast milk storage, baby food portions, toddler training cups, snack cups, or even coffee mugs.
Dishwasher Safe
100% Made in the USA
As always, we strive to be your ultimate partner during your breastfeeding journey. We work extremely hard here at Grey's Cowbell Lactation Treats to produce lactation products that will maximize your breast milk production delivered to you in a convenient and delicious method. We offer lactation cookies baked by the dozen, muffins, granola and lactation pancake and cookie mixes to bake yourself. We ship or deliver your order straight to your door. Everything we offer is made fresh to order with no preservatives just for you and your little one.
Grey's Cowbell specialises in lactation cookies, lactation muffins and lactation drinks as well as other products. Our primary focus is to provide a superior product that yields a highly effective result. Our cookies, muffins and bottled drinks help breastfeeding mothers dramatically increase and sustain their breast milk supply.