How to Pasteurize Breast Milk?
The process of pasteurizing breast milk at home is actually very easy and all the necessary equipment can be found in most kitchens.
Here is what you will need to pasteurize the breast milk : a stainless steel pot and a kitchen thermometer. Also, using a double boiler will make this process easier and decrease your chances of scalding the milk. If you don’t have a double boiler, just use a second pot that is bigger and place the stainless steel pot inside the larger one.
Please follow these steps in order to pasteurize your breast milk at home.
- Before you get started, gather all of the necessary equipment that you’ll need. In addition to the pot and the thermometer, you will also need a large bowl or sink filled with ice water.
- Pour raw breast milk into the stainless steel pot. If you’re using a double boiler or a makeshift one, make sure to fill the bottom pot with a couple of inches of water. If you are unable to do a double boiler set up, make sure that you heat the milk gently to keep it from scalding.
- Slowly heat the milk to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir the milk occasionally to keep the bottom from burning. Stir the milk constantly if using only one pot.
- Once you reach 145° F, keep it at that temperature for exactly 30 minutes. In order to do this, you might have to constantly decrease and increase the heat.
- After 30 minutes, remove the pot of milk from the burner and place it in the sink or large bowl of ice water. Constantly stir the milk until it drops to 40° F.
- When it hits this point, pour the now pasteurized milk in an air tight container and store it in the refrigerator.