Can I put breast milk back in the fridge after taking it out?

Can I Put Breast Milk Back in the Fridge After Taking It Out?
The question of whether breast milk can be safely returned to the refrigerator after being taken out is a common concern among breastfeeding parents. Understanding the guidelines surrounding breast milk storage is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of your baby.
The Basics of Breast Milk Storage
Breast milk is a precious resource, and its proper handling is essential. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days and in the freezer for up to 12 months. However, once breast milk has been warmed or brought to room temperature, the rules change significantly.
What Happens After Warming?
Once breast milk has been warmed or has reached room temperature, it is recommended that it be used within two hours. If the milk is not consumed within this timeframe, it should be discarded. The reasoning behind this guideline is primarily related to safety; warmed milk can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially after being exposed to the environment and the baby’s mouth.
Can You Refridge Warmed Milk?
The consensus among health experts is clear: you should not put breast milk back in the fridge after it has been warmed. This is because the milk is considered contaminated once it has been in contact with the baby, and returning it to the fridge could pose a risk of bacterial growth .
Some sources suggest that if the milk has been warmed but not consumed, it can be refrigerated again if it is done within a certain timeframe, but this is generally not recommended due to the potential health risks involved.
Best Practices for Breast Milk Handling
To ensure the safety of breast milk, here are some best practices to follow:
– Use within two hours: After warming, breast milk should be used within two hours to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.
– Discard unconsumed milk: Any milk that has been offered to the baby but not consumed should be discarded rather than returned to the fridge.
– Label and store properly: Always label containers with the date and time of expression, and store milk in clean, BPA-free containers.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is a vital source of nutrition for infants, it is essential to handle it with care. Once breast milk has been warmed or brought to room temperature, it should not be returned to the fridge. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your baby receives safe and healthy nourishment.

Can you put milk back in the fridge after drinking?

And this is milk you worked hard to save, so of course it will be tempting to put the bottle back in the fridge! But here’s the problem – while putting the bottle in the fridge will slow down the growth of bacteria, it will not reverse any bacterial growth that happened while the milk was warm.

Can I refrigerate breast milk after thawing?

Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

Can I refrigerate unfinished breast milk?

Can I refrigerate breast milk and then freeze it later? After 4 days of refrigeration, your breast milk should be used or thrown away. Breast milk properties slow the growth of bad bacteria. These properties begin to decline after a few days of refrigeration.

Can I 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.

How long is breast milk good for once taken out of the fridge?

4 hours
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.

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

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.

Can I refrigerate an unfinished bottle of breastmilk?

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 I put an unfinished bottle in the fridge?

If you do not start to use the prepared infant formula within 2 hours, immediately store the bottle in the fridge and use it within 24 hours.

Can you put breastmilk back if you take it out of the fridge?

Freshly pumped milk can be out for 4 hours before needing to be refrigerated. Milk that has been refrigerated but is now out is good for 2 hours. You should never re-refrigerated milk that has been refrigerated and brought out to room temperature.

Can you refrigerate breastmilk twice?

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.