Babyfeeds - the first freeze dry breastmilk service in the ENTIRE ASIA

BabyFeeds was started in an effort to help mothers store breast milk effectively while maintaining the nutritional value of breastmilk for longer periods of time. Preserving the helpful bacteria found in breast milk, which are essential for a baby's digestive health. 

BabyFeeds uses a process called freeze-drying to convert frozen breast milk into powder.

The freeze-drying process uses a simple principle called sublimation - where solid (ice) transitions directly into a gas (water vapour). This is how water is removed from the frozen breast milk while preserving the structure of molecules in the milk - impacting the taste and nutritional quality of the milk.

We will go through in greater detail about the process of freeze-drying below. Do note that this process is very different from “dehydrating” - where high temperatures are used to remove water and would damage the nutritional properties of the milk.

By freeze-drying breast milk, we would have a fine breast milk power with all the components of the breast milk, just without water.

HOW IT WORKS: THE BASICS

​The basic steps of the process are:

1. FREEZE: The breast milk that you provide is frozen below 40 degrees celsius
2. VACUUM: The freeze-drying chamber then undergoes a deep vacuum.
3. DRY: A small amount of heat is added, and with the low pressure, the ice turns directly into water vapor and is removed from the frozen milk. 
4. SEAL: The powder is then sealed in a high barrier bag, protecting it from moisture, oxygen, UV, and contamination.

FREEZING vs. FREEZE-DRYING

Currently, most mothers preserve breast milk by freezing it, investing in chest freezers that take up valuable real estate. Moreover, freezers are susceptible to power outages and natural disasters. Freezing is also not a perfect solution for preserving breast milk since even at low temperatures food quality deterioration may still occur.

Freeze-drying is a better long-term storage solution because

(1) the process removes the ice crystals gently without thawing

(2) in the absence of water, the enzymes and degradation components present in breast milk are inactive.

Hence, freeze-dried breast milk powder can be stored for longer as compared to freezer stored breast milk. 

Breast milk is a living food, there are living cells in your milk!

​Cells in the breast milk may rupture due to the formation of ice which releases chemically reactive components. Even when the milk is frozen, the nutrients in the milk may be broken down by the chemically reactive components and enzymes over time. Health benefits of the milk can also decrease due to the nutritional losses that occur during thawing.

To solve the above issues, freeze-drying can be implemented. Freeze-drying keeps the cells from rupturing (by sublimation of the ice crystals into water vapour), and also the chemically reactive components that cause nutrient degradation are inactivated by freeze-drying. Apart from the nutritional value, freeze-drying prevents the “freezer-taste” - a change in the taste of the food after freezer storage. 

Fun Fact

​Lipases are enzymes found naturally in breast milk. These enzymes help to break down fats which aids in the digestion of babies. During freezer storage, lipase can still be active, breaking down fats, causing a funny smell and/or taste to the milk. However, when water is removed from the milk through the freeze-drying process, the lipase enzyme stops working until water is added back in.

Benefits of Freeze-dried Breastmilk

1) No Need For Large Fridge Space