Can breast milk be refrozen if partially thawed?

Understanding the Safety of Refreezing Breast Milk
The question of whether breast milk can be refrozen after it has been partially thawed is a topic of considerable importance for breastfeeding mothers, especially those who express and store milk for later use. The guidelines surrounding this issue are primarily focused on safety and the nutritional integrity of the milk.
General Guidelines on Refreezing Breast Milk
Most experts agree that once breast milk has been fully thawed, it should not be refrozen. This is due to concerns about bacterial growth and the potential degradation of the milk’s nutritional quality. However, there are nuances to this guideline that are worth exploring. For instance, if breast milk is only partially thawed—meaning it still contains ice crystals or is slushy—it is generally considered safe to refreeze it. This distinction is crucial, as it allows for some flexibility in managing stored milk.
Research and Expert Opinions
While older reports suggested that refreezing thawed breast milk might be acceptable, current consensus leans towards caution. Experts emphasize that there is insufficient research to support the safety of refreezing fully thawed milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations recommend using thawed breast milk within a specific timeframe to minimize risks.
Interestingly, some studies indicate that breast milk that has thawed in the refrigerator for up to eight hours may also be safely refrozen. This suggests that as long as the milk has been kept at safe temperatures and shows no signs of spoilage, it can be reused.
Practical Considerations for Mothers
For mothers navigating the complexities of breast milk storage, it is essential to follow best practices. When refreezing, ensure that the milk is placed in clean, sanitized containers to avoid contamination. Additionally, it is advisable to label containers with dates to keep track of how long the milk has been stored.
In summary, while the general rule is to avoid refreezing fully thawed breast milk, partial thawing presents a different scenario. As long as the milk retains some ice crystals, it can be safely refrozen. This nuanced understanding allows mothers to manage their milk supply more effectively while ensuring the health and safety of their infants.

Can you put half drank breast milk back in the fridge?

If, after feeding your baby, you’re left with half or a quarter of a bottle, you can reuse it, but only if you’re going to do so quite soon. The CDC advises reusing leftover breast milk within two hours of the last feeding. If it’s longer than two hours, you should throw it away. Do not freeze and reuse later.

Can you freeze breast milk multiple times?

More research is needed on whether previously frozen milk that’s been thawed can be frozen again and safely used. However, many experts recommend discarding thawed milk that isn’t used within 24 hours.

Can thawed breast milk go back in fridge?

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. Don’t thaw or heat frozen breast milk in a microwave or in boiling water.

Why can’t you use thawed breast milk after 24 hours?

Bacteria can grow rapidly in thawed milk, especially if it’s kept at room temperature or if the storage conditions are not optimal. Using the milk within 24 hours minimizes the risk of bacterial growth and ensures the milk is safe for your baby.

How to know if breastmilk is spoiled?

It will also smell bad, much like spoiled cow’s milk. And, like spoiled cow’s milk, breast milk that’s old will taste sour. (It’s fine to taste your breast milk to check!) Always label your pumped milk with a time and date so you can tell how old it is.

Can you put breast milk that’s been sitting out back in the fridge?

And remember, freshly pumped milk that has been left unrefrigerated for longer than four hours should be thrown away, regardless of whether it’s been used in a feeding or not. Previously frozen milk should be used within 24 hours once thawed and refrigerated. If left on the counter, throw out after 2 hours.

Can you refreeze partially thawed breastmilk?

Once you thaw put breastmilk, you must use it. Do not refreeze it as it can ruin the milk and you might also spoil it. That goes for anything that you have frozen and then thaw out, you must use it or loose it.

Can frozen milk be thawed and refrozen?

The CDC says that you can refreeze thawed milk if it contains ice crystals. However, given the factors mentioned above, if you have any concerns you can always strain the ice crystals and refreeze those, and use the thawed milk according to these milk storage guidelines (LINK).

Can you refreeze something that is partially thawed?

You can safely refreeze frozen food that has thawed—raw or cooked, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. To safely refreeze, the thawed product must have been kept cold at 40 degrees or below for no more than 3-4 days.

How to tell if frozen breast milk is bad?

The milk is likely to have a very distinctive sour smell and may even taste metallic, like soap or bitter. If it smells sour, it is very likely because of the lipase enzyme’s action on the fat content of breast milk.