Can I put breastmilk back in fridge after warming it up?

Understanding Breast Milk Storage After Warming
When it comes to the delicate process of storing and handling breast milk, many parents find themselves asking whether it’s safe to put breast milk back in the fridge after it has been warmed. This question is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of infants, who are particularly vulnerable to bacterial growth.
The General Guidelines
The consensus among experts is that warmed breast milk should not be returned to the refrigerator if it has been warmed and then left at room temperature. The primary concern is the risk of bacterial contamination. Once breast milk is warmed, it enters a temperature range that can promote bacterial growth, especially if it remains at room temperature for more than two hours.
Specific Conditions for Reuse
However, there are some nuances to consider. If the warmed breast milk has been kept at room temperature for less than two hours and has not been fed to the baby, it can be safely refrigerated again. This guideline helps parents manage their milk supply without unnecessarily wasting precious resources.
It’s also important to note that once breast milk has been fed to a baby, it should not be stored again, even if there is leftover milk. This is because the baby’s saliva can introduce bacteria into the milk, increasing the risk of contamination.
Nutritional Considerations
Breast milk is not only a source of nutrition but also contains immune properties that can be compromised by improper handling. Heating and cooling breast milk can diminish some of these beneficial properties, which is why following storage guidelines is essential.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is possible to refrigerate warmed breast milk under specific conditions, the safest practice is to avoid returning it to the fridge after warming. Parents should always prioritize their baby’s health by adhering to these guidelines, ensuring that the milk remains safe and nutritious for their little ones.

How long can you keep breast milk after it’s been warmed up?

Warmed breast milk will typically need to be used within two hours of warming it. Finding a reliable, plastic-free storage bottle for your breast milk is critical to safely storing your liquid gold. You can thaw frozen breast milk in the fridge under running or in warm or hot water.

Can I put breast milk back in the fridge after warming?

If it’s not used, it should be thrown away. “Once your milk is warmed, the ability of the milk to inhibit bacterial growth is decreased, so it is not recommended to place your milk back in the refrigerator,” explains Andria. “The baby’s mouth touching the milk leads to bacterial growth in the milk.

Can I rewarm breast milk twice?

When it come to heating up breast milk, it’s generally recommended that you only reheat breast milk once, maybe twice. The reasoning for this is that each time you heat and cool the milk, it can potentially degrade the quality and nutritional value.

Can you reheat baby milk more than once?

Always be sure to refrigerate untouched formula and never freeze it as freezing can affect the nutrients in the mix. Formula should only be reheated one time and any leftover liquid should be tossed after that! To safely reheat formula straight from the fridge, we recommend using a bottle warmer.

Can you put heated milk back in the fridge?

Doctors do not recommend refrigerating heated milk.

Can you reheat breast milk twice according to the CDC?

Use milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (from the time it is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer). Use thawed milk within 2 hours of bringing to room temperature or warming. Never refreeze thawed milk.

Can warmed whole milk be refrigerated again?

Whatever bacteria grew while it warmed up will still be there, and will continue to grow. Refrigeration only slows down the multiplication of bacteria.

Can I refrigerate an unfinished bottle of breastmilk?

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.

Is it OK to heat milk twice?

Always keep your milk refrigerated. Milk that has been left out for an extended period of time will become difficult to foam as the fat content breaks down in higher temperatures. Ensure your milk jug is rinsed thoroughly after each use. Do not reheat milk.

Can you put baby milk back in fridge after warming?

If it’s been warmed up, just toss it. Warmed up milk cannot go back into the fridge.