A working mother placing a bag of expressed breast milk at the back of the fridge with a cooler bag nearby

Susu Ibu: Cara Simpan, Tahan Berapa Lama & Cara Banyakkan

十月 21, 2026 Drann Editorial Team

Expressed breast milk (susu ibu) keeps for about 4 hours at room temperature, up to 24 hours in a cooler bag with ice packs, up to 8 days at the back of a fridge at 4°C or lower, and up to 6 months in a freezer. In a warm Malaysian room of 27°C to 32°C, treat 4 hours as the limit. Store milk in clean, sterilised containers or bags, label it with the date, thaw it in the fridge or in warm water (never in a microwave), and do not refreeze it. To increase supply, the NHS advises good attachment, frequent feeds, offering both breasts and expressing after feeds, rather than special foods.

Why susu ibu matters

WHO and UNICEF recommend starting breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth, giving only breast milk for the first 6 months, and continuing to breastfeed up to 2 years or beyond alongside safe solid foods from 6 months. The WHO notes that early, exclusive and continued breastfeeding can help prevent pneumonia and diarrhoea in children.

In Malaysia, a study of 483 pregnant mothers at 17 government klinik kesihatan found that almost all (99.4%) intended to breastfeed, but 65.4% were breastfeeding exclusively at one month. Mothers with more breastfeeding knowledge were more likely to succeed, which is why practical information on storing and expressing milk matters.

Susu ibu tahan berapa lama?

These are guidelines for healthy, full-term babies. If your baby is premature or in hospital, follow the hospital’s advice.

Where	How long	Source
Room temperature (up to about 29°C)	4 hours is best; 6 to 8 hours only for very clean milk in a cooler room	Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Warm room (27°C to 32°C)	4 hours may be a reasonable limit	Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Cooler bag with ice packs	Up to 24 hours for milk that has been chilled in the fridge	NHS
Fridge (back of the fridge, 4°C or lower)	Up to 8 days; use within 3 days if the fridge is 5°C to 10°C or you are unsure	NHS
Ice compartment of a fridge	Up to 2 weeks	NHS
Freezer (-18°C or lower)	Up to 6 months	NHS
Defrosted milk	Use straight away; do not refreeze	NHS
Leftover milk after a feed	Use within 1 hour, then throw away	NHS

Different health bodies give slightly different times. The US CDC, for example, suggests up to 4 days in the fridge. If you are unsure, the shorter time is the safer choice.

Storing breast milk in a hot Malaysian climate

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine notes that warmer temperatures make bacteria in stored milk grow faster. For rooms of 27°C to 32°C, it suggests 4 hours as a reasonable limit, and it advises chilling or refrigerating milk as soon as possible if you will not use it soon. In practice:

if you express at work or while travelling, put the milk in a fridge or a cooler bag with ice packs straight away;
do not leave milk in a hot car;
if you are not sure how long milk has been out, it is safer to throw it away.

Cara simpan susu ibu

According to the NHS:

store milk in a sterilised container or special breast milk storage bags;
keep it at the back of the fridge, where it is coldest, not in the door; a fridge thermometer helps;
store milk in small amounts to avoid waste;
label and date milk before freezing, and use the oldest first;
wash your hands with soap and water before expressing, and keep pumps and bottles clean and sterilised.

Thawing and warming breast milk

The NHS advises:

Thaw frozen milk slowly in the fridge. If you need it straight away, put the bag or bottle in a jug of warm water or hold it under warm running water.
Give it a gentle shake if it has separated, and use it straight away. Do not refreeze it.
You can give milk cold from the fridge if your baby is happy to drink it, or warm it to body temperature in warm water.
Never use a microwave or stove, as this can cause hot spots that burn your baby’s mouth.
Once your baby has drunk from a bottle, use it within 1 hour and throw away any milk that is left.

Cara perah susu ibu: by hand or pump

According to the NHS, you can express milk by hand or with a manual or electric pump. To help your milk flow, try to relax, have your baby or a photo of them nearby, or place a warm towel on your breasts first.

By hand: wash your hands, cup your breast, and with your thumb and finger in a “C” shape a few centimetres from the nipple, gently squeeze and release in a rhythm. Do not squeeze the nipple itself. When the flow slows, move your fingers around the breast, then swap sides.

With a pump: start on a low suction setting and build up slowly, make sure the funnel fits your nipple, and stop if it causes pain or bruising.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

According to the NHS, signs your baby is getting enough milk include:

a few rapid sucks followed by long, rhythmic sucks and swallows, which you can see and hear;
your baby seems calm during feeds and content afterwards, and comes off the breast on their own;
your breasts feel softer after feeds, and your nipple looks the same as before;
steady weight gain after the first 3 to 4 days;
from day 5, at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours, and from day 4, at least 2 soft, yellow poos a day in the first few weeks.

If your baby’s skin or eyes look yellow, see our guide to kuning bayi (newborn jaundice).

Cara banyakkan susu badan

According to the NHS, ways to boost your breast milk supply include:

asking a midwife, nurse or lactation counsellor to watch a feed and help with positioning and attachment;
feeding as often and as long as your baby wants;
offering both breasts at each feed and alternating which one you start with;
expressing some milk after feeds once breastfeeding is established;
keeping your baby close and holding them skin to skin;
avoiding formula top-ups and dummies until breastfeeding is well established.

The NHS lists things that can reduce supply, including poor attachment, not feeding often enough, smoking and alcohol, some medicines, illness, and anxiety, stress or depression. You do not need special foods to make milk; the NHS says a varied, healthy diet with plenty of fluids is enough. For food during the first weeks, see our guide to berpantang. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal product or supplement while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and going back to work

Going back to work does not mean you have to stop. The NHS suggests:

expressing milk so someone else can feed your baby while you work;
breastfeeding before and after work, or arranging childcare near your workplace;
combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding to fit your hours;
telling your employer early, and asking for a clean, private room (not a toilet) to express and a clean fridge to store milk;
having a trial run with your childcare before you return, and labelling and dating each bag of milk.

Sore, full or painful breasts

Breasts can feel very full (engorged), especially in the early weeks. Feeding or expressing regularly helps. If an area of your breast becomes swollen, hot and painful, or you have a hard lump, burning pain or flu-like symptoms, it may be mastitis. The NHS advises continuing to breastfeed, checking your baby’s attachment, and seeing a doctor if your symptoms do not get better 12 to 24 hours after treating it at home.

For any breast lump that does not go away after feeding, see a doctor; see also our guide to kanser payudara.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Susu ibu tahan berapa lama (how long does breast milk last)?

According to the NHS, expressed breast milk keeps for up to 8 days at the back of a fridge at 4°C or lower (use it within 3 days if your fridge is warmer or you are unsure), 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge, and up to 6 months in a freezer at -18°C or lower. At room temperature, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine advises about 4 hours, which is also a reasonable limit in warm rooms of 27°C to 32°C.

How long can breast milk stay outside the fridge in Malaysia?

In a warm room of 27°C to 32°C, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine says 4 hours may be a reasonable limit. In a cooler bag with ice packs, chilled milk can be carried for up to 24 hours, according to the NHS. Refrigerate or freeze milk as soon as possible if you will not use it soon.

What is the best cara simpan susu ibu (how to store breast milk)?

Use a clean, sterilised container or special breast milk storage bags. Store milk in small amounts to avoid waste, label it with the date, and keep it at the back of the fridge rather than in the door. Freeze milk you will not use within a few days. Never refreeze milk that has been defrosted.

How do I thaw and warm frozen breast milk?

The NHS advises thawing frozen milk slowly in the fridge, or, if you need it straight away, in a jug of warm water or under warm running water. Do not use a microwave or stove, as this can cause hot spots that burn your baby's mouth. Once your baby has drunk from a bottle, use the milk within 1 hour and throw away any leftovers.

What is the best cara banyakkan susu badan (how to increase milk supply)?

According to the NHS, the most helpful steps are good positioning and attachment, feeding your baby as often and as long as they want, offering both breasts at each feed, expressing some milk after feeds once breastfeeding is established, holding your baby skin to skin, and avoiding formula top-ups or a dummy until breastfeeding is well established. Ask a midwife, nurse or lactation counsellor to watch a feed if you are worried.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

The NHS says signs include hearing and seeing your baby swallow, your baby seeming calm and content after most feeds, steady weight gain after the first 3 to 4 days, and, from day 5, at least 6 heavy wet nappies every 24 hours. Your breasts should also feel softer after feeds. If you are worried, ask for help early.

Can I keep breastfeeding when I go back to work?

Yes. The NHS suggests expressing milk so someone else can feed your baby while you work, breastfeeding before and after work, or combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Tell your employer early that you are breastfeeding and ask for a clean, private room (not a toilet) to express and a fridge to store milk. Label and date each bag so your carer uses the oldest first.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor, nurse or lactation counsellor. If your baby is premature, unwell or in hospital, follow your healthcare team’s storage advice. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

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