How It Works
The breastfeeding and pumping journey is different for every mom and it's not always a cakewalk. For some, the idea of mailing your precious breast milk is a scary concept. At Bébé Bru, we are 100% transparent when it comes to our process. Our main goal is to provide the very best for you and your little one. If you have any additional questions after exploring this page please feel free to contact us directly at info@thebebebru.com or 406-581-9354. We are here for you, mama!
What’s Included in Your
Shipping Kit from Bébé Bru:
NanoCool Shipping
Cooler with Straps
Plastic Bag Liner
Order Label Sticker
Return Shipping Label
"Fragile” Sticker
"Keep Frozen” Sticker
“Has Not Been
Tampered With” Sticker
How to Pack & Prepare Your Cooler for Shipping:
Here are the basics of packing your cooler to make sure your milk arrives at our facility in perfect condition.
Open the outer box and release the straps (without cutting them) around the NanoCool™ shipper. Leaving the straps around the outside, open the lid and inspect the shipper to make sure there is no damage to the walls.
Open the Bébé Bru plastic bag liner and place it inside the shipper. Ensure your milk is FROZEN and pack tightly into the liner. Close the top of your bag liner with the included order label. Make sure the information on the label is accurate.
If there is additional space inside the shipper once you’ve packed your milk please fill it with dry ice found at most grocery stores to protect your milk from thawing during transit.
Place the lid back on top of the shipper and ensure it shuts with no gaps. Make sure the black straps are secure round the outside of the NanoCool™ shipper. Do not use tape or any other means to attach the lid.
Close the outer cardboard shipping box and seal it with packing tape. Cover the old shipping label with the included return label. Attach the “Fragile” and “Keep Frozen” stickers to the sides of the box. Attach the “Has Not Been Tampered With” sticker across the tape seam on the top of the box.
Before You Ship Your Milk Back to Us:
- You will ship the same kit that arrived at your door back to us.
- If there is any visible damage to the cooler, please contact info@thebebebru.com or 406-581-9354 to request a new package.
- Pack your milk immediately before shipping and ensure that your milk is frozen solid when it is being packed.
- DO NOT SHIP ON THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, or WEEKENDS to avoid shipping delays.
- Please prepare and return your order to Bébé Bru within 14 days of its arrival. Should we not receive your returned shipment within a month, we may opt to void your order and process a refund. Note that the refund will have the price of the insulated cooler deducted. If there’s a delay in sending your order back, please reach out to us to discuss other options.
Our Freeze-Drying Process
Step 1:
Deep Freeze: In the freeze dryer, your breast milk is frozen even further to sub-zero temperatures (-40 degrees C).
Step 2:
Sublimation: The freeze dryer creates a vacuum, which causes the frozen water in the breast milk to transform directly into a gas, bypassing the liquid phase—this is called sublimation.
Step 3:
Freeze-Drying: As the available water sublimates, the essential nutrients stay intact with the dried milk. The dried powder is ready to be packed and shipped right to your front door!
Step 4:
Packaging: Once freeze-drying is complete, the powdered breast milk is tested with our laboratory-grade water activity meter. This checks the dryness of the powdered milk ensuring water is effectively removed from the milk. The powder is then sealed in airtight mylar bags to protect against UV, oxygen, moisture, and external contaminants. Leaving it shelf stable for up to 3 years.
How Freeze Dryers Work
Freeze dryers, also known as lyophilizers, are essential in the breast milk freeze-drying process. Here’s an overview of how they operate:
FREEZING
Freeze dryers have chambers where the temperature is lowered to create a freezing environment (-40 degrees C) for the breast milk. This step initiates the preservation process.
VACUUM SYSTEM
The freeze dryer includes a vacuum system that reduces the air pressure within the chamber. Lower pressure facilitates sublimation, where ice in the breast milk turns into vapor without melting.
HEATING ELEMENT
To facilitate sublimation, freeze dryers use a heating element. This element gently warms the frozen breast milk, promoting the transformation of ice into vapor.
CONDENSER
A condenser within the freeze dryer collects the water vapor created during sublimation, preventing it from escaping. This step ensures that the freeze-dried breast milk remains dry and stable.
PACKAGING STATION
After the breast milk is freeze-dried, it’s ready for quality control and packaging. The powder is then sealed in airtight mylar bags to protect against UV, oxygen, moisture, and external contaminants.
Shipping Back to Bébé Bru:
How to get your milk back to the Bébé Bru team as quickly and safely as possible.
Schedule a pickup or drop-off your box at a UPS or FedEx location immediately after packing your frozen milk by the carrier listed on your return label.
Do not ship on Thursdays, Fridays, or weekends to avoid shipping delays.
You will receive an email from Bébé Bru confirming that we have received your order and it has passed our quality control standards. From there, you can expect regular updates throughout the process and when your milk is on its way back to you.