Breast Milk Popsicles Are The Perfect Baby Treat

Who doesn't love a good popsicle, especially in the summer time? Homemade popsicles can be a healthy fun treat for parents and kids alike, and the DIY ideas seem to explore every option from fruit to juice to even breast milk. The thought seems pretty cool, but what are breast milk popsicles? Could they be the perfect treat for your baby?

It turns out, they're exactly what they sound like — frozen breast milk in a popsicle mold. Romper spoke with Jennifer Jordan, Director of Mom and Baby at Aeroflow, who says breast milk popsicles are great, especially for teething babies. According to her, the cold helps soothe teething pain, and you can rest assured knowing that your baby is getting a nutritious snack. "Not only is it a healthy snack," says Jordan, "it can help supply an extra bit of breast milk to a baby who might not be nursing well due to teething or being distracted."

If you are making breast milk popsicles, or "momsicles" as they are often called, make sure to use a small enough mold so that your baby doesn't gag or choke on it. Also avoid using popsicle sticks, as they can easily injure your baby or become a choking hazard. In fact, some moms freeze the breast milk in an ice tray and pop the cube into a Nibbler for babies to hold and munch on, according to The Herbal Healing Mama.

When you are handling breast milk, it's important to do it safely. Pumped milk should be frozen as soon as possible, and according to Kelly Mom, it should sit at room temperature no longer than three to four hours ideally, but can be OK for up to eight hours as long as it's not too warm and the container is clean. Kelly Mom noted further that refrigerated breast milk is good for three to eight days, but should ideally be used within six days. Frozen breast milk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, can stay fresh in a freezer compartment inside the refrigerator for up to two weeks, in a regular freezer for three to six months, and a deep freezer for six to 12 months. But if you are freezing breast milk popsicles, be sure to store them in freezer bags that are designed for human milk to avoid any contamination or leakage, noted La Leche League International

Making breast milk popsicles, and even adding in a little baby food if you prefer, as suggested by Clark Condensed, is a great way to give your baby a cool treat that is still healthy and nutritious. Summer is hot, and this is a fun, easy way to keep your little one hydrated, full, and cool.