Can I put heated up breast milk back in the fridge?

Can I Put Heated Breast Milk Back in the Fridge?
When it comes to the safe handling of breast milk, particularly after it has been heated, many parents find themselves asking whether it’s acceptable to refrigerate it again. The answer is nuanced and hinges on a few important guidelines regarding food safety and bacterial growth.
The General Rule
According to health experts, once breast milk has been heated, it should not be returned to the refrigerator if it has been warmed beyond room temperature. This is primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth that can occur when milk is heated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that breast milk should be stored properly to minimize the risk of contamination and spoilage.
Specific Guidelines
1. Unconsumed Heated Milk: If breast milk has been warmed but not consumed, it can typically be refrigerated again for a limited time—generally up to four hours. However, this is contingent on the milk not being exposed to any contaminants, such as from a baby’s mouth or hands.
2. Contamination Risks: If the milk has been warmed and then touched by the baby, it is considered contaminated and should be discarded. This is because the milk can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which poses a risk to the infant’s health.
3. Storage Duration: Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it is best to chill it immediately after expression to maximize its freshness.
4. Heating Practices: When warming breast milk, it is advisable to do so gently, avoiding overheating, which can degrade the milk’s nutrients and increase the risk of bacterial growth.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is technically possible to refrigerate heated breast milk again under certain conditions, it is crucial to adhere to safety guidelines to protect your baby’s health. If the milk has been warmed and not consumed, it can be refrigerated for a short period, but if it has been contaminated, it should be discarded. Always prioritize safe handling practices to ensure the well-being of your little one.

What to do with leftover warmed breast milk?

Leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming it in smaller amounts. See Breast Milk Storage and Preparation for more information.

How long can breast milk be left out after warmed up?

If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. Start counting the 24 hours when the breast milk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer. Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.

How long is breast milk good for after heating?

within 2 hours
If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. Start counting the 24 hours when the breast milk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer. Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.

How long is formula good for once warmed?

within 1 hour
Something else to know: If you’ve warmed up a bottle, our previous 2-hour guideline for untouched formula doesn’t apply. A heated bottle should be used within 1 hour, and any remaining should be poured down the sink after that time.

Can you put heated milk back in the fridge?

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

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 breast milk twice according to the CDC?

Never refreeze or reheat breast milk that’s been thawed, the CDC notes. If you’re not feeding baby immediately, keep defrosted breast milk in the fridge. If you thawed it at room temperature, the milk is good for up to two hours (after that, throw it out).

Can you put baby milk back in the fridge after warming?

Once a bottle is prepared or taken from the fridge for feeding, use the formula within 1 hour or throw it out. You cannot re-refrigerate formula once it has been warmed or reaches room temperature. The reason experts recommend you throw away unused formula is because bacteria can begin to grow.

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.