The Complete Guide to Storing, Freezing, and Thawing Breast Milk
AMBER
December 22, 2022
If you're breastfeeding, it's important to know how to store breast milk properly. If stored incorrectly, it can spoil and lose nutrients. Some important questions many new mothers have are: how long can I actually store breast milk? How long can I keep breast milk outside the refrigerator? And how soon should you freeze breast milk? In this blog post, we'll answer all your questions about how long you can store breast milk in various ways.
How long can breast milk be left out of the refrigerator?
It's important to remember that breast milk can spoil quickly if not stored properly. Therefore, it's important to keep a close eye on it. How long can you keep breast milk out of the refrigerator?
Breast milk can only be stored outside the refrigerator for a limited time, depending on the room temperature. At room temperature, breast milk can be kept for about four to six hours before it needs to be refrigerated or discarded. In warmer temperatures, such as in the summer or in a warm room, breast milk can only be stored for a few hours. Therefore, it is recommended to refrigerate breast milk immediately after pumping or freeze it if it will not be used immediately. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature up to about 25 degrees Celsius. On a summer day, your breast milk will not be stored for as long.
How long can you keep breast milk in the refrigerator?
Breast milk can be stored much longer in the refrigerator. The advantage of both the refrigerator and the freezer is that harmful bacteria grow much slower. Fresh breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. It's important to keep the refrigerator at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.
Always store breast milk in a clean container, special breastfeeding bag, or bottle. Whatever you use, always mark it with the date to ensure the milk is still good. It's best to place the container, bag, or bottle at the back of the refrigerator, as this is where the milk stays coolest. Several studies have been conducted on the shelf life of breast milk in the refrigerator. It's safest to store breast milk in the refrigerator for no longer than four days. That way, you'll be sure you're doing it right.
Freezing breast milk
If you choose to freeze breast milk, important questions arise: how quickly should you freeze it? And how long does it keep in the freezer?
It's best to freeze breast milk as soon as possible after pumping, preferably within 48 hours. Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for between six and twelve months. Six months or less is ideal, but twelve months is still acceptable. See the image at the bottom of the page for a clear storage guide for storing breast milk at room temperature, in the refrigerator, and in the freezer. The one-year limit for frozen breast milk is primarily a precaution. There hasn't been enough research to determine whether this is actually harmful to the baby.
Can I refreeze thawed breast milk?
It's important to remember that frozen breast milk should never be refrozen after thawing. Thawed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator, but its shelf life will be shorter than fresh breast milk. Thawed breast milk can be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours. After 24 hours, it's best to discard the milk. Thawed breast milk should be left at room temperature for a maximum of 1 to 2 hours.
It's best to thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator. This does take some time, so put the frozen milk in the refrigerator for the next day. If you want the milk to thaw quickly, you can hold it under lukewarm running water. The most important thing to remember is that frozen breast milk can be stored for a very long time, but once thawed, it should be used more quickly! So, be careful that the four-day refrigeration period doesn't apply to thawed breast milk. The easiest way is to print out the chart below and hang it in the refrigerator. That way, you'll always be sure you're on the right track.
Thawing frozen breast milk
There are a few important things to keep in mind when thawing frozen breast milk. Always thaw the oldest bottle first, first in, first out.
Don't let the milk thaw at room temperature. As mentioned, it's best to thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator. This requires a bit of planning but gives the best results. Make sure you refrigerate a full day's worth of breast milk the day before. After 12 hours, the frozen milk will liquefy again and can be used.
If you accidentally forgot to do this or are in a hurry, there are 2 other ways to safely thaw frozen breast milk.
Option 1. Thaw breast milk in a bowl of warm water
If the breast milk needs to be thawed quickly, you can use a bowl of warm (not hot) water. This method takes about 20 minutes if you change the water as it cools. To do this, pour plenty of warm water into a bowl and place the frozen breast milk in it. Once the water cools, you can replace it with fresh warm water and continue doing this until the breast milk is thawed. Once thawed, the breast milk can be refrigerated.
Option 2. Thaw breast milk under running water
The fastest way to thaw breast milk is under a faucet with warm running water. The best way to do this is to start by holding the container, bag, or bottle under cold running water. Then you can slowly increase the water temperature. It's important not to let it get too hot, but you can easily feel this by holding your hand underneath it.
How long can I store breast milk for making breast milk jewelry?
You can use either fresh or frozen milk to make breast milk jewelry. Frozen breast milk can also be older than one year, as the milk's texture remains unchanged. Many of our customers choose to store a small amount of breast milk for longer periods. If you have some saved breast milk yourself or are currently breastfeeding, Mama Jewels can create a unique breast milk jewelry piece for you. View our full collection here.