What is the Breast Milk Pitcher Method?

Moms are always on the hunt for ways to make breastfeeding easier and more successful. Thankfully, there’s a fantastic method that is loved by experts and moms alike. What is the breast milk pitcher method? Let’s take a look!

What is the breast milk pitcher method?

Simply put, the pitcher method involves collecting all your pumped milk for one day and storing it in a large container.

For many moms, the pitcher method is the answer to a chaotic fridge cluttered with bottles and milk bags. Moms concerned about their baby's digestion and nutrition also like that the baby gets the ideal mix of hindmilk and foremilk. This is because you are combining all your breastmilk from every session (in a 24-hour period) into one container.

How the pitcher method works

After each pumping session, you allow breast milk to cool or chill. Note: Some moms feel comfortable skipping the cooling step, and pour freshly pumped milk directly into the chilled milk. Read our advice here about mixing breast milk temperatures.

Pour your breastmilk into a large pitcher stored in the refrigerator. You can use that collected milk for the next day's feedings. Any leftover milk (that doesn't get poured into bottles) is then labeled and frozen to be used later. Remember to label your breastmilk according to the first day you collected it.

Why moms and feeding experts love the pitcher method

Balanced milk distribution

Breastmilk composition can change throughout the day, based on factors like your stress levels, hormones, hydration, etc. The pitcher method helps solve any gaps in nutrition that might come into play.

As you pump throughout the day, you combine your foremilk (the first batch of milk) and hindmilk (the last bunch of milk) together. The result? A perfectly balanced jar of nutrient-rich milk to use for every feeding. Be sure to use a small spatula to mix the milk before serving it or saving it for later. That way, all the fantastic fat content is distributed equally.

Keeps digestive issues away

Along with well-balanced nutrition, perfect milk composition also helps limit lactose overload. Too much of the watery, higher lactose foremilk can overwhelm your baby’s digestive system. By using the pitcher method, you’re more likely to get the perfect mix of milk which can benefit your baby’s digestion.

Saves fridge space (and your sanity)

The pitcher method helps you stay organized. One to two pitchers take up far less space in your fridge because bottles aren’t constantly accumulating. And, you can portion out the perfect amounts in your freezer bags according to your baby’s needs.

Easier transfer for busy moms

For some busy working moms, this method works nicely. You can transfer pumped milk into a good traveling jar throughout the day, and when it's time to leave, you only have one to carry home.

How to choose the perfect container

The breast milk pitcher method calls for the perfect storage container. Experts recommend the following:

• A glass jar: Less toxic than plastic and milk clings less to glass.

• BPA-free and lead-free, of course!

• Easy-to-read measurements to track accumulated milk

• Tight lid to keep milk fresh and no leaks

• Easy to hold and pour milk into bottles

• Made especially for mother's milk (no mistaking it for goat’s milk, cow’s milk, coffee creamer, etc.!)

Check out the Nestberry Breast Milk Pitcher for the perfect storage for your daily breast milk routine. It checks all the boxes and moms simply love it!

Pitcher Method Tips & Tricks

The pitcher method is very easy to adopt. However, there are a few ways to make it even easier and effective. Here are our 4 favorite tips and tricks:

1. It helps to prep: After your last pump of the day, portion out the next day’s bottles, freeze any leftover milk, and wash all your parts so you’re ready for the next day.

2. Do you know about the Fridge Hack? It’s awesome! You can refrigerate your pump parts to reuse during that day; then wash them at the end of the day. It works perfectly alongside the pitcher method.

3. Easy chill and dump: After pumping, cap the pump bottles and stick them in the fridge to chill. Right before the next pump, dump the chilled milk in your pitcher and re-use the same bottles/parts.

4. If you have a breastfeeding session with baby, use a milk collector while the baby is nursing on the other side to catch your letdown and any leaking milk — then dump that milk into your pitcher so you don’t lose a drop!

Get ready to love the pitcher method

No matter what method you choose, you're doing a great job! There's also support and ideas from other moms to help guide your feeding journey.

That’s why we created the Facebook Group to connect with fellow moms who are looking for the best ways to nurture what matters most: the family they love. We hope to see you there!

Do you use the pitcher method? What works best for you? Tell us below!