Wondering if you need a stash of breastmilk? Here’s what to consider for your family.
Many mums wonder if they need to keep frozen breastmilk ‘just in case’. Whether you need a stash depends on your plans and what works best for you and your baby.
Some mums express milk only if they need it. Others like to have some stored and ready to go.
Going out without your baby
You might not need a stash if you’re only out for a few hours. Try these ideas:
- Feed your baby just before you leave and again when you get home.
- Go out while your baby is asleep. It may be easier in the evening when many babies have their longest stretch of sleep.
- Stay close by so you can return for a feed.
- Have your baby brought to you for a breastfeed.
With a little planning, many mums find they can enjoy time to themselves without needing to express milk. This often gets easier as babies grow and settle into more of a pattern with their feeds and sleep.
Resuming work or study
If you plan to express while away from home, you probably won’t need a large store of frozen milk. Often, the milk you express one day is enough for the next. Some mums breastfeed at childcare drop-off and pick-up, or feed as soon as they get home.
Remember, lactation breaks are a legal entitlement for employees in Australia. How you use these breaks will depend on your baby’s age and your workplace.
How much milk will I need?
The amount of milk you need to store depends on your baby’s age and your situation. Chatting with a breastfeeding counsellor can help you work out a plan that suits you.
- For young babies, leave enough expressed milk to cover each feed while you’re apart.
- As babies get older, gaps between feeds may get longer, and they’ll start solids.
- Babies over 12 months can do well with food and water, and often catch up on breastfeeds when you’re together.
Expressing milk for different ages and stages
Your milk supply is being established during this period. It is important to express or breastfeed your baby at least 8 times per 24-hour day.
Young babies can often go with you on social outings and leisure activities. Your baby may be happy in a baby carrier or sleeping in a pram.
Your baby is unlikely to have settled into a pattern with their breastfeeds and sleep at this age. You will need to leave some expressed milk for your baby if you are going out without them.
Returning to work? Depending on the type of work you do, you may make different arrangements during this period such as working from home or having an onsite nanny or someone to bring your baby to you for feeds. Read more about expressing for a newborn.
You may be able to go out for short periods of time in between breastfeeds.
Many working mums feed their baby just before and after work. Often they will express milk twice during an 8-hour work day. Most find their baby’s feeding pattern adjusts and they breastfeed more frequently when together.
As your baby gets older, you may find that the gaps between breastfeeds get longer. This may allow you to go out without your baby for longer periods if needed. Your baby will also be having some solid foods as well as breastfeeds.
Expressing at work? Many mums continue with two expressing sessions at first. As your baby grows and starts having solids you may only need to express once per day. Your baby may have more breastfeeds when you are together, including overnight. This will help to maintain your supply.
If your older baby or toddler is happily eating family foods, you can express for comfort and leave whatever expressed milk you have been able to pump.
Babies older than 12 months can do just fine with food and water. They will often just catch up on a breastfeed when you're together.
Tips for building up a milk stash
- Express a little each day, rather than full feeds. Even 20 mL daily adds up over time.
- Store milk in small amounts (50–100 mL) so carers can offer what your baby needs. This helps reduce wastage if your baby doesn’t need a lot.
- Store breastmilk carefully to keep it fresh.
Monica's experience of pumping
What I expressed in the previous work day made up the amount for the next, so we didn't have to create a big stash or anything. And the return home feed? Priceless!
I found that depending on her developmental stage, she might require more close contact the day after work, too. We continued a great breastfeeding relationship regardless of work.
© Australian Breastfeeding Association May 2026
More resources for you
Evidence-led info and practical tips from our Breastfeeding Information Series
Breastfeeding: expressing & storing
