The “pitcher method”
What is the “pitcher method”?
The pitcher method combines breastmilk pumped during different sessions into one container, usually a pitcher. This pumped milk can be from one day, or several days. Typically people that use this method are pumping more than their baby eats in a day or are ahead a day (the milk they pump today is for their baby’s bottles tomorrow).
Let’s talk pros and cons:
PROS
less variability in nutritional content of milk
does not increase bacterial counts in breastmilk
can be easier to manage one pitcher instead of a bunch of bottles in the fridge
can be very useful if managing an oversupply (milk remaining in the pitcher at the end of the day can be bagged and frozen)
CONS
will not keep AM/PM milk separate if you are concerned with the amount of cortisol vs melatonin in the milk
may feel like an “extra step”
If you choose to use the “pitcher method”, it is important to continue following safe storage guidelines for pumped milk:
Freshly expressed/pumped milk is good:
at room temperature (77 degrees F or colder) up to 4 hours
in the fridge (40 degrees F) for up to 4 days
Following these guidelines, you would want to be sure to label the pitcher with the date/time the oldest milk in the pitcher is pumped and make sure it is frozen or consumed within those 4 days! Ideally any extra milk would be frozen as soon as you know it will not be needed.
When using the pitcher method, can you mix cold milk with freshly pumped milk?
This is going to be up to you! The concern with mixing cold and fresh milk is that there will be an increase in bacterial activity. However, this claim has not been proven by research, and breastmilk is naturally antimicrobial (meaning it contains components that actively fight against and prevent infections caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi)! Ultimately this will be up to you and your comfort level! I personally do mix fresh and cold breastmilk and it does not concern me. However, if it concerns you, then you can cool your freshly pumped milk before adding it to the cold milk in the pitcher!
You can also use the “pitcher method” to thaw breastmilk!
You can thaw multiple bags of frozen breastmilk in the same pitcher, just be sure to follow the guidelines for thawing milk:
First in, first out, always thaw and use the oldest milk first
When you thaw breastmilk, use it within 24 hours. Start counting the 24 hours when the breastmilk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer
Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours
Never refreeze breastmilk after it has thawed
Pitcher options
There are a lot of different containers you can use as a breastmilk pitcher, here are some of my favorites:
Mixing pitcher (plastic) - although meant for formula, the mixing mechanism can help mix fat back into breastmilk when it separates
Mixing pitcher (glass) - can also be used for mixing formula or breastmilk but this is a glass option!
Breastmilk pitcher (glass)
another glass breastmilk pitcher (there are so many options on Amazon!)
Another option if you already have a 32oz mason jar is to get a compatible lid with handle and pour spout
An on-the-go “pitcher” option is a breastmilk chiller like Ceres Chill (if you purchase directly from their website, code ‘BREASTFRIEND’ will take 15% off)
If you’re a visual learner, check our my “Pitcher Method” reels on Instagram:
- this post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you-Resources:
“Twenty-four-hour pooling of human milk reduces nutrient and caloric variability without increasing bacterial counts.”
Stellwagen, Lisa M et al. “Pooling expressed breastmilk to provide a consistent feeding composition for premature infants.” Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
