Whether you’re pumping and storing breast milk for your own baby or donating breast milk to a family in need, we’ve got all the details on how to safely store, freeze and thaw your breast milk. In addition, we answer the pressing question: How long is breast milk valid?
Basics of Breast Milk Storage
Storing breast milk correctly preserves its immune-supporting nutrients and helps your baby thrive. Plus, it ensures that your hard work won’t go in vain! Here’s how to store your breast milk safely:
Maintain hygiene. Whether you’re at home, work or school, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds before pumping. When you’re using, make sure your pump supplies and bottles are cleaned and sanitized before use.
Choose the right consumables. Store breast milk in a clean breast milk storage bag or a well-sealed food-grade glass or plastic container. Do not use containers with “Recycling Symbol Number 7” as they contain BPA, an unsafe chemical found in plastics. Never store breast milk in single-use bottle liners or plastic bags that are not specifically designed for breast milk.
Less is more. Consider storing it in small amounts, such as two to four ounces. This way, you can thaw and merge the freezer bags to get to the amount you want, rather than thawing too much and having to throw away some of them.
Don’t overfill. Because breast milk expands when frozen, leave about an inch of space on top of a sealable storage bag, bottle, or food-grade container.
Remove the air. Before freezing, expel as much air as possible from the breast milk storage bag. This will help avoid possible freezer burns.
Label before storing. Be sure to write the date you expressed your breast milk on the storage container so you know when to use it and how long it will last.
Freeze as soon as possible. If you know that you won’t be using freshly expressed breast milk for four days, freeze it immediately to preserve milk quality.
Start from behind. When extracting frozen or chilled breast milk, be sure to do it upside down, using the oldest breast milk first.
How Long Does Breast Milk Last at Room Temperature?
Have you ever accidentally left your freshly expressed breast milk on the kitchen counter…… It wasn’t until a few hours later that I realized that spoiled (or overflowing) breast milk was the source of the nightmare for breastfeeding parents. But don’t worry: because breast milk contains such powerful antiviral and antibacterial components, it can be safely stored at room temperature for up to four hours. (That’s twice as much as infant formula.) Keep in mind that “room temperature” must not exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long Does Breast Milk Last in the Fridge?
Expressed breast milk stays fresh in the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to four days. But don’t throw liquid gold anywhere in the fridge. The further back your breast milk is stored, the colder and safer it is. It’s definitely not a good idea to keep expressed breast milk inside the fridge door because your family will be opening and closing the fridge all day long, and the fridge door is the warmest part of the fridge.
How Long Does Breast Milk Last in the Fridge?
Good news! Expressed breast milk stays high quality in the refrigerator for up to six months and can be safely stored for up to a year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that although milk is still safe to drink for a year, after six months, the nutritional value begins to decline.
How Long Can Breast Milk Last After Thawing?
While you don’t have to use thawed breast milk right away, you need to adhere to a use-by date.
- At room temperature: Thawed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for one to two hours…… As long as the room temperature is below 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In the refrigerator: After thawing, refrigerated breast milk is effective for 24 hours.
How to Thaw Breast Milk Safely
Before you use the breast milk bank in the refrigerator, it is essential to understand how to properly thaw breast milk… and what to do with the remaining thawed breast milk. This is because, although breast milk is 100% natural, it can easily be contaminated by bacteria and viruses if not handled properly.
The key is to know which frozen breast milk storage container to thaw first. Hint: It’s always the oldest, as it’s closer to expiration than the others. You can thaw breast milk in a variety of ways, depending on how quickly you need to use it. If…
- You now need to feed your baby: put the frozen storage container in another container filled with warm or lukewarm water and thaw your breast milk as if you were bathing it.
- You’ll need to feed your baby in the near future: Put frozen breast milk in the fridge and thaw it overnight. (Use within 24 hours after thawing.)
How Not to Thaw Breast Milk
Yes, the method of thawing breast milk is wrong. In fact, these lapses may even reduce the health benefits of breast milk.
- Never microwave breast milk. Not only does this put your baby at risk of serious burns, but it also impairs the nutrient content of your breast milk.
- Do not refreeze thawed breast milk: Avoid refreezing breast milk after it has been thawed. (It is thought that this may break down nutrients and increase the chances of bacterial growth.)
What Should I Do with the Rest of My Breast Milk?
Regardless of whether your baby is left with a bottle half-filled with fresh breast milk or thawed breast milk, the remaining breast milk should be consumed within two hours. If it is longer, it is recommended that you throw away the leftover breast milk, as the possibility of bacterial contamination increases.
How long can breast milk be stored in a refrigerator?Breast
milk can be safely stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. (Be sure to place your breast milk next to an ice pack immediately after pumping.) Once you arrive at your destination, either use your breast milk immediately or store it quickly in the refrigerator or freezer.