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Can I add breastmilk to refrigerated breast milk?

Understanding the Guidelines for Mixing Breast Milk
When it comes to the delicate process of storing and handling breast milk, many parents have questions about the best practices to ensure the safety and quality of the milk for their infants. One common query is whether it is safe to add freshly expressed breast milk to milk that has already been refrigerated. The answer is nuanced and rooted in safety guidelines established by health authorities.
The Importance of Temperature
Combining fresh breast milk with refrigerated milk requires careful attention to temperature. According to health experts, you should never mix warm or freshly expressed breast milk directly with cold refrigerated milk. This is primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth. When warm milk is added to cold milk, it can create an environment where bacteria thrive, potentially compromising the safety of the milk.
To safely combine these two types of milk, the freshly expressed milk should first be cooled in the refrigerator until it reaches the same temperature as the refrigerated milk. This practice helps to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and ensures that the milk remains safe for your baby.
Storage Duration and Best Practices
Breast milk can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days at a temperature of around 40°F (4°C). It is crucial to chill freshly expressed milk promptly after pumping to maximize its shelf life. If you plan to combine milk from different pumping sessions, it is advisable to do so within the same day to maintain safety.
Moreover, when handling breast milk, always ensure that you are using clean containers specifically designed for breast milk storage. Avoid using disposable bottle liners or plastic bags not intended for this purpose, as they can compromise the integrity of the milk.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is possible to combine freshly expressed breast milk with refrigerated milk, it must be done with caution. Always cool the fresh milk first to match the temperature of the refrigerated milk before mixing. By following these guidelines, parents can ensure that their breast milk remains safe and nutritious for their little ones.

Can you keep adding to breast milk in the fridge?

You can add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk. However, thoroughly cool the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.

Can you mix fresh breast milk with refrigerated formula?

Likewise, a refrigerated bottle of formula mixed with breast milk should be used or discarded within 24 hours. While a bottle of room temperature breast milk is good for up to 5 hours, a bottle of formula or breast milk mixed with formula should be discarded after 1 hour from the start of use.

Is it OK to add new breast milk to refrigerated breast milk?

Mixing freshly expressed breast milk with already cooled or frozen milk is not advised because it can rewarm the older stored milk. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk.

Can you put breastmilk back in fridge if not finished?

The same goes for breast milk. 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.

Is it okay to mix fresh breast milk with refrigerated?

Mixing freshly expressed breast milk with already cooled or frozen milk is not advised because it can rewarm the older stored milk. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk.

Will my milk dry up if I only pump once a day?

A full milk supply is 25 to 35 ounces a day, depending upon your baby’s needs. Once you meet this goal, you may be able to reduce the number of times per day that you pump and still maintain your supply. You can drop one pumping session every few days and keep an eye on your milk supply.

Can you add fresh breast milk to refrigerated breast milk?

Mixing freshly expressed breast milk with already cooled or frozen milk is not advised because it can rewarm the older stored milk. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk.

How long can you mix refrigerated breast milk from different days?

It’s okay to combine milk that’s pumped on the same day, but don’t mix milk that was pumped on different days. Some moms use the “pitcher method,” which means they store all the breast milk they pump over 24 hours in one refrigerated, closed container.

Can I mix two bags of refrigerated breast milk?

It’s absolutely safe to do this! I combine all my milk from a 24 hour period in one pitcher and bag at the end of the night or the next morning and there’s been no issues.

Can I pump into the same bottle all day?

Milk stays good for 4 hours if you leave it at room temperature after pumping. So, you can pump into the same bottle within the 4 hours timeframe. Once the 4-hour timeframe has elapsed, you can either give the milk to your baby or store it in the fridge or freezer for future meals.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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