Show You can let freshly expressed breast milk sit out for up to 4 hours at room temperature before needing to store it in the fridge or freezer. According to research, freshly expressed breast milk stored in a closed container can be kept at room temperature for up to 8 hours if the outside temperature does not exceed 78.8 F. The following are some common timelines for storing breast milk.
Please note the following concerning breast milk storage:
If you follow these guidelines, your milk will most likely be safe. However, before feeding your baby, you can always conduct a taste test. If the milk is sour, it has spoiled and must be discarded. Research indicates that the longer you store breast milk, whether in the fridge or freezer, the more vitamin C is lost. Remember to mark each batch of breast milk with the date it was expressed, so you know when it is okay to use it. How can I store breast milk?Depending on the temperature and accessibility, make sure to store breast milk in food-grade bags or bottles. It is best to express breast milk directly into a sterile plastic container, but you can store it in a clean, closed container or a special breast milk storage bag. It is good practice to keep the milk in small quantities. Here are some breast milk storage guidelines to keep in mind: Bottles
Bags
It is not advisable to use disposable bottle liners or plastic kitchen or snack bags. Contamination is more likely with these. These bags are less durable and leak more frequently and certain types of plastic may destroy nutrients in milk. How should I heat my breast milk?Human milk should only be gently heated to retain as many vitamins and essential fatty acids as possible. This can be done in a separate bottle warmer that does not get hotter than 98.6 F. Important considerations when warming and defrosting breast milk include:
QUESTIONNewborn babies don't sleep very much. See AnswerMedically Reviewed on 6/9/2022 References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk." <https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm>. Office on Women's Health. "Pumping and Storing Breast Milk." <https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk>. WIC Breastfeeding Support. "Storing and Thawing Breast Milk." <https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/storing-and-thawing-breast-milk>. How long after pumping can I refrigerate?Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.
Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for 4 hours (or up to 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed), but it is best to chill as soon as possible.
Can I put breast milk that's been sitting out in the fridge?It's best to chill, refrigerate, or freeze breast milk immediately after it's expressed. If expressed milk is left out unrefrigerated, but it's in a clean, covered container, it can sit at room temperature for between four and six hours. Milk that has been left out for longer should be thrown away.
How will I know if breast milk is spoiled?Some people describe a “soapy” smell or taste in their milk after storage; others say it is a “metallic” or “fishy” or “rancid” odor. Some detect a “sour” or “spoiled” odor or taste. Accompanying these changes are concerns that the milk is no longer good for the baby.
Can I put breast milk back in fridge after baby drinks from it?If your baby did not finish the bottle, the leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming milk in smaller amounts.
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