Can I freeze breastmilk that has been refrigerated?

Can You Freeze Refrigerated Breast Milk?
When it comes to the delicate process of storing breast milk, many parents find themselves asking whether it’s safe to freeze milk that has already been refrigerated. The answer is nuanced, but generally, it is permissible to freeze breast milk that has been stored in the refrigerator, provided certain guidelines are followed.
Guidelines for Freezing Refrigerated Breast Milk
According to health experts, breast milk can be safely frozen if it has been refrigerated for no more than 24 to 48 hours. This timeframe is particularly crucial for milk that comes from a baby who is sick, preterm, or otherwise at risk for illness, as freezing it within this window helps preserve its nutritional and protective properties.
Once breast milk is refrigerated, it should ideally be frozen as soon as possible if you do not plan to use it within the next day. The CDC emphasizes that fresh breast milk is the healthiest option for babies, containing the highest levels of nutrients and anti-infective properties.
Best Practices for Freezing
When freezing breast milk, it’s important to use appropriate containers. Breast milk storage bags or hard plastic containers designed for freezing are recommended. Avoid using regular plastic bags or containers that are not specifically designed for breast milk storage, as these may not provide adequate protection against freezer burn or contamination.
Thawing and Reusing Frozen Milk
Once frozen, breast milk can be stored for up to six months in a standard freezer, although using it within three months is ideal for maintaining quality. When thawing frozen breast milk, it’s best to do so in the refrigerator, and any thawed milk should be used within 24 hours. Importantly, the countdown for this 24-hour period begins only after the milk has completely thawed, not from the moment it is removed from the freezer.
Conclusion
In summary, freezing breast milk that has been refrigerated is not only possible but also a common practice among breastfeeding parents. By adhering to recommended storage times and using proper containers, parents can ensure that their babies receive the best possible nutrition, even when fresh milk isn’t available. Always remember that the health and safety of your baby are paramount, so following these guidelines will help you make informed decisions about breast milk storage.

Can you put breast milk back in the fridge after sitting out?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

How long is breast milk good for after being refrigerated?

Storing breast milk after expressing
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.

How to know if breastmilk is spoiled?

Spoiled milk will have a distinctly sour and unpleasant smell, unlike the certain specific aromas associated with high lipase which are metallic, soapy, or fishy.

Can you take breast milk out of the fridge and put back in?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

Can breast milk come out of fridge and go back in?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

Can you put breast milk back in the fridge after baby drinks from it?

Any remaining breast milk left in a bottle after your baby is finished with a feeding should be used within 2 hours—or, if quickly refrigerated, used for the next feeding. You can always thaw an extra container if needed. Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.

Can I put breast milk back in the fridge if baby doesn’t finish?

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 combine breast milk from different days then freeze?

Can I add freshly expressed breast milk to already stored milk? 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 refrigerate and then freeze breast milk?

Freshly pumped milk can be stored in a cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. If you follow the timeframes in the breast milk storage guidelines, you can keep your milk at room temperature, then refrigerate it, and then freeze it.

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.