Can I refreeze breast milk that has been thawed?

Understanding the Refreezing of Thawed Breast Milk
The question of whether you can refreeze breast milk that has been thawed is a common concern among breastfeeding mothers. The answer, however, is nuanced and depends on specific conditions surrounding the thawing process.
General Guidelines on Refreezing Breast Milk
According to health guidelines, once breast milk has been fully thawed, it should not be refrozen. This is primarily due to safety concerns regarding bacterial growth and the integrity of the milk’s nutritional components. When breast milk is thawed, it can remain in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before it must be used. If it has been brought to room temperature, it should be consumed within 5 to 8 hours.
Conditions for Safe Refreezing
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the breast milk has only partially thawed and still contains ice crystals, it is generally considered safe to refreeze it. This indicates that the milk has not completely thawed and is still in a state that can preserve its quality. The key here is that the milk must still be cold enough to prevent bacterial growth.
Nutritional Considerations
It’s important to note that repeated thawing and refreezing can affect the quality of breast milk. Each cycle can damage the proteins and other beneficial components that are crucial for an infant’s development. Therefore, while it may be technically possible to refreeze partially thawed milk, it is advisable to minimize this practice to maintain the milk’s nutritional integrity.
Conclusion
In summary, while you can refreeze breast milk that has only partially thawed, fully thawed breast milk should be used within the recommended time frames to ensure safety and quality. Mothers should always prioritize their baby’s health and the nutritional value of breast milk when making decisions about storage and usage.

Can you freeze breast milk after unfreezing?

If you’re thawing frozen breast milk, follow these guidelines for how long the milk can be safely used. Remember: Thawed breast milk cannot be re-frozen.

Can you double freeze breast milk?

You can store breast milk in the freezer for up to one year, but use within 6 months is best. Never refreeze breast milk after it has been thawed.

Can frozen milk be thawed and refrozen?

The CDC says that you can refreeze thawed milk if it contains ice crystals. However, given the factors mentioned above, if you have any concerns you can always strain the ice crystals and refreeze those, and use the thawed milk according to these milk storage guidelines (LINK).

What happens if you freeze milk twice?

Most people worry about the food safety of thawing and refreezing, but as long as it’s done right, it’s perfectly safe. The only risk you’ll take is ruining the taste and texture of the food.

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

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 to know if breastmilk is spoiled?

It will also smell bad, much like spoiled cow’s milk. And, like spoiled cow’s milk, breast milk that’s old will taste sour. (It’s fine to taste your breast milk to check!) Always label your pumped milk with a time and date so you can tell how old it is.

How long can you keep frozen breast milk once defrosted?

Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Don’t thaw or heat frozen breast milk in a microwave or in boiling water.

Why is it bad to refreeze after thawing?

You can safely refreeze frozen food that has thawed—raw or cooked, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. To safely refreeze, the thawed product must have been kept cold at 40 degrees or below for no more than 3-4 days.

Why can’t you refreeze thawed breast milk?

When the food is thawed, bacterial growth speeds up, especially if the food reaches room temperature. Now, if it is refrozen, there are more bacteria than before, and when it thaws out again, we start with a greater pool of bacteria that can multiply.

Can you defrost breast milk and put back in fridge?

Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Don’t thaw or heat frozen breast milk in a microwave or in boiling water.