Freeze Dried Breast Milk: What You Should Know + Legit Places to Do It
Fresh breast milk is considered by most to be the safest and healthiest food you can give your baby. It’s full of antibodies, enzymes, and nutrients that are perfect for the needs of a growing infant. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to provide fresh milk consistently. Whether it’s storing a freezer stash, preparing for travel, facing medical challenges, or simply wanting long-term security, many families look for additional options to make feeding more manageable.
That’s where freeze-dried breast milk comes in. Although still relatively new, freeze-drying breast milk is gaining traction as an alternative method for preserving and utilizing breast milk. Instead of relying solely on frozen milk, parents can have their milk converted into a shelf-stable powder that doesn’t require constant refrigeration, is far easier to transport, and has a much longer shelf life.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about freeze-dried breast milk - what it is, how it works, whether it’s safe, how long it lasts, and where you can find services that offer it. Freeze drying breast milk isn’t very everyone, but I’m all about providing options to allow families to use breast milk in a way that works best for their family.
Freeze-Dried Breast Milk
Before we get too deep, in this article I will cover the basics of the freeze drying process, the pros and cons, and where interested moms can actually find a legitimate freeze drying service. Whether you’re a mom, partner, or part of a support system, this information can help you make informed decisions about freeze-dried breast milk. Unfortunately, not all resources for freeze-drying are legitimate, so it’s important to be safe.
I’ll also share resources on breast milk storage and how long can breast milk stay out of the fridge so you have the full picture of your options.
What Is Freeze Drying Breast Milk
The freeze drying process, also known as lyophilization, removes water from your milk while preserving its structure and nutrients. The frozen milk is placed in a vacuum chamber where ice crystals turn directly into vapor without passing through the liquid stage. What’s left behind is a dry, shelf stable powder that can be rehydrated with water whenever you’re ready to feed your baby.
Think of it like instant coffee - but instead of coffee, it’s human milk. This breast milk powder doesn’t require freezing, takes up less space, and can last far longer than milk stored in the fridge or freezer.
Can Breast Milk Be Freeze Dried?
Yes! Milk freeze drying has been used in food science for decades, and now it’s being applied to breast milk. Frozen milk that would otherwise only last a few months in the freezer can be converted into a dried breast milk powder with a significantly longer shelf life.
Is Freeze Drying Breast Milk Safe?
Freeze drying breast milk is generally thought to be safe, but typically just when done through a professional freeze drying service that follows strict safety guidelines. The freeze drying process itself doesn’t make milk unsafe; in fact, it helps preserve nutrients and reduce bacterial growth. However, at-home methods aren’t recommended (more on that below).
Professional companies also provide a custom label with details about your batch, which adds another layer of accountability and reassurance.
Does Freeze Drying Breast Milk Lose Nutrients?
This is one of the biggest questions people have about freeze dried breast milk. Research (source, source) shows that while there is some minimal nutrient loss, freeze drying retains the majority of the proteins, fats, and immune factors found in fresh milk. Compared to other preservation methods, it’s one of the best at keeping milk’s bioactive components intact. It can depend on how the dehydration process is done as well - sublimation seems to preserve nutrients best.
Some believe that it can help with milk impacted by high lipase, which might be beneficial for some families.
Of course, nothing can fully replace fresh breast milk. But when you compare breast milk powder to formula or thawed milk that’s been stored too long, freeze drying can be a helpful middle ground.
How Long Does Freeze Dried Breast Milk Last?
One of the main benefits of freeze dried breast milk is shelf life. Fresh milk lasts only a few hours at room temperature, and frozen milk is recommended for just up to 12 months in the freezer. Once turned into shelf stable powder, though, it can last up to 3 years if stored properly. That’s a huge difference, especially for moms who have built a freezer stash and don’t want to just toss it out after a yera.
Can You Freeze Dry Breast Milk at Home?
While there are freeze dryers available for home use, they aren’t designed for human milk safety standards. There is a much higher risk of contamination, nutrient loss, and improper storage.
For now, the safest option is to use a professional freeze drying service that’s designed for breast milk specifically. They manage the freeze drying process, package it into convenient pouches, and send it back to you as breast milk powder with clear instructions.
With that said, some people do choose to do it themselves. If you do this, it’s up to you to ensure the safety and quality of the milk.
Where To Buy Freeze Dry Breast Milk
If you’re curious about trying this option, there are a few companies that currently offer milk freeze drying. There are a lot of options out there, and it’s important to vet them to make sure it’s a good option for your family. These are three companies I feel comfortable recommending. These all have minimum amounts you can send, so that’s important to keep in mind. You typically can use HSA/FSA funds for this service.
Milkify
Milkify is one of the most popular services in the U.S., and it was the first (that I’m aware of) to offer this service. They have been processing freeze-dried breast milk since 2019. I actually had them freeze dry some of mine a few years ago, and the process was very simple. You simply ship frozen milk in insulated boxes, and Milkify converts it into a shelf stable powder. Each pouch comes with a custom label that lists your name and batch information.
They pride themselves in top-of-the-line safety and handling, which you can read more about here.
They use a medical-grade freeze drying process and return your milk in easy-to-use packets. You can choose their “Milkify Singles”, which sends your milk back in single use pouches, the “Milkify Saver”, which is a multi-use bag which contains 30-50 ounces each, or a mixture of both with the “Milkify Split” option. The prices vary depending on what you are ordering, but this is what is currently listed on the website:
Milkify Singles
40 oz - $149
75 oz - $279
150 oz - $499
300 oz - $849
750 oz - $1,698
Milkify Saver (multi-use package)
150 oz - $349
300 oz - $549
750 oz - $1098
Milkify Split
150 oz - $449
300 oz - $729
750 - $1,458
All shipping is included in the price, and you can also add an optional nutritional anaylsis that contains information on the calories, fats, carbs, and protein for $49.
Leche
Leche is another company offering a professional freeze drying service for breast milk. I have had extensive conversations with the owner of the company, and I think they are a great option. The founders of the company are very passionate about breast milk preservation and making it as safe and transparent as possible. They send you a shipping kit so you can safely pack up your frozen milk and send it in. Once it’s processed, you’ll get it back as convenient breast milk powder with a custom label for each batch.
They currently claim to be the only comapny that tests the breast milk for safety before processing it to ensure it’s safe for consumption. I think this is valuable, because you never know if there was improper handling of the breast milk during the expression and freezing process. They are slightly more expensive than Milkify, but that is probably worth it for the peace of mind knowing that there is no contamination. There is also a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all milk shipped to them.
Pricing varies on how much you order and what kit you get. They have “Everyday Leche”, which is their pouch option and “Leche Premiere” which are the single use pouches, or you can do a combination option. Here is the current pricing:
Everyday Leche
75 ounces - $299
225 ounces - $897
450 ounces - $1,794
675 ounces - $2,691
Leche Premiere
75 ounces - $349
225 ounces - $995
450 ounces - $1,885
675 ounces - $2,670
You can also add a nutritional assessment to your order for $99.
Another thing makes Leche unique is that they are starting to donor human milk in powdered form, which has been screened and tested for safety. Donors are also screened in a similar manner to milk banks. This can give families extra peace of mind if they need milk beyond their own supply. They have high standards for the donor process, and they do provide compensation for those who participate. It is not currently available for purchase yet, but it should be soon. The cost for the donor milk is anywhere from $59 to $236 depending on how much you get (3 pack, 6 pack, and 12 packs available). It is pricey, so it’s not a super accessible option for most at this point.
Use code BFMAMA20 for 20% off your order.
Milk By Mom
This is a newer company that offers freeze-drying services as well as a breast milk nutritional analysis as a separate service (so you don’t have to freeze your breast milk first to test it). They were located in Arizona, and you can either drop off the breast milk there or ship it to them to be processed. They use a process called sublimation, which they claim helps to preserve the nutrients better than traditional dehydration.
They seem to be the most affordable option of these three and have the lowest minimum amount you have to freeze. While I’m not sure if there processing is on the same level as Milkify, they are up to the standards set forth by the FDA and only handle on mother’s milk at a time. You can read more about their process here.
They offer three different options - “Little Sips”, which are single use pouches, “Big Sips” which is a large pouch that holds between 30 and 50 oz, and “All The Sips” which gives you both in your order. Here is the pricing for each:
Little Sips - Can be ordered in 4, 5, and 6 ounce sizes
40 oz - $79
100 oz - $179
150 oz - $225
250 oz - $389
500 oz - $695
Big Sips
150 oz - $150
300 oz - $300
500 oz - $500
750 oz - $750
All the Sips
150 oz - $203
300 oz - $405
500 oz - $675
750 oz - $1,013
Use the code THEBREASTFEEDINGMAMA for 10% off anything at Milk by Mom.
Other Freeze Drying Services
Smaller boutique labs and companies are popping up across the country, though availability may vary. When choosing one, make sure they specialize in milk freeze drying and provide clear safety protocols.
Final Thoughts on Freeze-Dried Breast Milk
As a lactation consultant and mom, I still believe fresh milk is the gold standard. But the reality is, life is unpredictable. Having options like freeze dried breast milk means parents can provide the benefits of human milk in a form that’s portable, long-lasting, and still highly nutritious.
Whether you’re planning for travel, military deployment, or simply want peace of mind knowing your stash won’t go to waste, a freeze drying service may be worth considering.
Just remember: fresh is best when possible, but it’s okay to explore tools that help you meet your goals. Every mom’s journey is unique, and you deserve resources that make it easier.
