How does the storage of breast milk affect its quality?

Breast milk contains many types of live cells, all of which promote infant health and development. Many preterm infants are born before they developmentally can coordinate suck-swallow-breathe, and cannot orally feed. Additionally, many older preterm infants have difficulty latching to the breast. In both instances, these infants receive breast milk through tube feedings, and the milk is often not freshly pumped, but rather collected and stored. While it is known that breast milk contains live cells, little is known about the viability of these cells during hospital storage and how to best maintain beneficial qualities. Many studies have observed the effects of the type of container that is best for maintaining milk quality, but there has been very little research into the effect of length and temperature of storage on the quality of breast milk. This study investigates how the viability of cells and the nutritional quality of breast milk is maintained during storage by using the LUNA-FX7 automated cell counter, and the MIRIS human milk analyzer to assess changes in cell viability and macronutrient levels among fresh breast milk samples and those that have been stored at lower temperatures for a longer period of time. The storage conditions that we will test are similar to what often occurs in a hospital setting to feed infants in the NICU. The results of this study will provide a perspective into how to keep breast milk at its peak quality to provide the most benefits for at-risk infants.