Freeze-drying (lyophilisation) is a gentle, scientifically proven preservation process that removes water from your breast milk while leaving all nutrients, antibodies, and immune factors intact. The result is a fine powder that reconstitutes back into breast milk when you add warm sterilised water.

Unlike dehydration, freeze-drying uses extremely low temperatures and a vacuum — your milk is never exposed to damaging heat. It's the gold standard method used worldwide to preserve biologicals, pharmaceuticals, and donor human milk.

Yes! The Milk Fairy was proudly Australia's first breast milk freeze-drying service. We launched at the end of 2022 — a family-run, mama-led business based in Geelong, Victoria, founded by Jess, Tiana, and Chris.

Any breastfeeding or pumping parent who wants to extend shelf life up to 3 years, travel more easily with their milk, manage high lipase, or build a long-term stash for weaning or supplementing solid foods.

Choose your option — Shipping Kit (courier collects from your door) or Local Drop-Off (Geelong, Melbourne, Surfcoast, Ballarat, Bellarine). Book online, follow the packing instructions, and we handle everything from there.

Your milk is temperature-checked on arrival, individually labelled, then placed into our commercial-grade freeze-dryer in its own private space — never pooled with any other customer's milk. Only water is removed. The powder is then quality-checked, sealed into labelled sachets, and returned to you.

Absolutely not. Your milk is never pooled or combined with any other customer's milk at any stage. Every order is handled individually. You always receive back 100% your own milk — nothing else.

When reconstituted with the correct amount of water, you'll get exactly the same volume back. Freeze-drying only removes the water — so 5 litres in equals 5 litres back. Each sachet label tells you exactly how much water to add.

No. Your breast milk is processed inside its own sealed container throughout the freeze-drying cycle — it never comes into direct contact with our equipment surfaces.

No strict minimum or maximum. Whether you have a modest stash or a large freezer supply, we can work with you. Contact us for particularly large volumes so we can plan your processing.

Yes. Freeze-drying is one of the most gentle and scientifically validated preservation methods available. It uses very low temperatures and no heat, preserving the structure of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in your milk.

internationally recognised framework used across food manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and human milk banking worldwide. We maintain strict hygiene protocols, temperature monitoring, and full traceability for every order.

We temperature-check every order on arrival. If your milk appears to have partially thawed, we contact you directly before proceeding. Our medical-grade cooler is designed to keep your milk frozen throughout overnight transit when packed correctly and shipped on a Monday as instructed.

No. Your milk is processed inside its own sealed container throughout the freeze-drying cycle — it never comes into direct contact with our equipment surfaces.

No. Freeze-drying is one of the most nutrient-preserving methods available. It uses no heat, so proteins, enzymes, and immune factors are left intact. Research confirms macronutrients are retained and reconstituted milk closely mirrors the original nutritional composition.

Because no heat is used, bioactive components including secretory IgA, lactoferrin, and lysozyme are far better preserved than with heat-based methods like pasteurisation. Emerging research supports that freeze-dried human milk retains much of its immunological activity.

Yes! Freeze-drying significantly reduces lipase activity, which dramatically improves the taste and smell of high lipase milk. Many mums whose babies previously refused frozen milk have found them happily accepting the freeze-dried version. Reach out if this is a concern for you.

Shipping is available across all of Australia. Local drop-off is available for customers in or around Geelong, Melbourne, the Surfcoast, the Bellarine, and Ballarat.

Once we receive your milk, turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks. You'll receive email updates when we receive your milk, during processing, and when it's shipped back. Have a deadline? Just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Your kit includes a medical-grade insulated cooler and full packing instructions. Pack your frozen milk on a Monday — our courier collects it that day for overnight delivery. No ice packs or dry ice needed with our Small kit (if full) and our Large kit (if full). If you have unexpected extra space, fill with ice packs or even ice blocks in sandwhich bags. Our kits work best when full.

Not a problem at all — just let us know and we'll update the return address on our end. We're a small family team and always happy to work with your circumstances.

Each sachet includes a label with the exact amount of warm sterilised water to add. Add water, give it a gentle swirl, and your breast milk is ready. Do not use a microwave — this creates hot spots. Full instructions are on our Using My Breast Milk Powder page.

Yes! Sprinkle or stir the powder directly into purees, porridge, or soft foods to boost nutritional value with your own breast milk — no reconstituting needed.

Sealed sachets last up to 3 years at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Once opened and reconstituted, treat as freshly expressed breast milk — refrigerate and use within 24 hours.

Once reconstituted, treat it as freshly expressed breast milk. Keep it refrigerated and use within 24 hours, following the Australian Breastfeeding Association guidelines.

Freeze-dried breast milk is non-sterile and is not recommended for immunocompromised or medically complex infants. We always recommend consulting with your neonatologist, paediatrician, or lactation consultant before introducing freeze-dried breast milk to premature or vulnerable babies. Your medical team should always guide feeding decisions for your little one

Our Milk Fairy Shipping Kit starts from $240 AUD. Visit our service page for full and up-to-date pricing details including local drop-off options.

Yes. Overnight courier collection from your door and return shipping of your finished powder are both included in the kit price — no hidden fees.

Yes! A Milk Fairy gift card is a truly thoughtful gift for an expecting or new mama — perfect for baby showers and Mother's Day. Available from our shop.

Please review our full Returns Policy. For specific situations, reach out directly — we're always happy to work through things with you.