According to the Mayo Clinic, there is limited research on just why this could be dangerous, but they still caution against re-freezing breast milk that has been left out for 24 hours or more. In that case, throwing it out is the best, although an unfortunate, solution.
Parents also shed some more light on the topic, noting that re-freezing your breast milk can destroy some of the nutrients and enzymes that help it stay fresh and beneficial — just as leaving it in the freezer for longer than six months can do.
In order to prevent thawing more than you'll actually use, Medela recommended freezing your milk in smaller portions — two to four ounces at a time — instead of whole bottles which can be anywhere from six to eight ounces or more. If you're worried that your baby will need more than that, pull out an extra and let it thaw in the fridge.
Smaller portions heat up quicker too, so you won't have to wait long if your baby wants more. While the power is out, keep the freezer and refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
Once the power is back on, check the condition of your stored breast milk. Frozen breast milk that has started to thaw but still contains ice crystals can be refrozen. If your breast milk has completely thawed but still feels cold, put it in the refrigerator and use it within the next day or throw it away. Expressed breast milk is a food and may be stored alongside other foods in any refrigerator that is appropriate for food storage.
Employers, coworkers, cleaning staff, other family members, and childcare providers should not consider or treat breast milk as a biohazard. Storing breast milk in a shared refrigerator and washing pump parts in community break rooms are unlikely to pose health risks sanitary or safety issues ; however, it is important that the breast pump equipment be cleaned, dried, and stored in a sanitary clean environment to protect the equipment and expressed breast milk from contamination.
Expressed breast milk may be stored and transported in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours, or else frozen in dry ice follow safety precautions when handling dry ice external icon. Once breast milk is cooled, it should remain cool until it is consumed.
Breast milk that has been transported in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs can then be refrigerated or frozen. Depending on the destination, if no reliable breast milk storage is available, a mother traveling with expressed breast milk could consider using temperature-controlled shipping to transport breast milk or discarding her expressed breast milk. Continuing to express breast milk regularly will help a mother to maintain her breast milk supply until she and her nursing infant or child can be reunited.
Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Frequently Asked Questions. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Why have I seen different recommendations for storing breast milk? Does the temperature of the room matter if I plan to leave breast milk on the counter until I use it? BPA is a chemical that was previously widely used in plastic containers and coatings, which many manufacturers are phasing out due to its uncertain long-term effects.
Small amounts of expressed milk may be added to the same refrigerated container, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand. Store breast milk in the coldest part of the fridge — at the back, on the shelf above the vegetable compartment. How to store breast milk in the freezer 2,3 Read on for how to freeze breast milk safely: Freeze your breast milk as soon as possible after expressing.
Expressed milk may be added to already frozen breast milk, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand. For easier thawing and minimal wastage, store your milk in small portions less than 60 ml. These can be combined after defrosting. Check that your breast milk storage containers can be used in the freezer — some products such as glass bottles may crack at very low temperatures. Store frozen breast milk at the back of the freezer where the temperature is most consistent.
Keep it away from the walls of self-defrosting freezers. Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. These can damage its nutritional and protective properties and create hot spots that could scald your baby. Thawed breast milk left at room temperature should be fed to your baby within two hours or thrown away. Never re-freeze breast milk once thawed. How to warm your stored breast milk 2,3 Healthy, full-term babies can drink breast milk at room temperature or warmed to body temperature.
Alternatively, use a bottle warmer. Gently swirl the bottle or bag, without shaking or stirring, to mix any separated fat see above. Why does my stored breast milk smell odd?
Breast milk storage on the go If you have to transport your milk between work and home or daycare, use a cooler bag with ice packs.
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