Can I use 10 month old frozen breast milk?

Can You Use 10-Month-Old Frozen Breast Milk?
When it comes to the safety and nutritional quality of frozen breast milk, many parents find themselves navigating a sea of guidelines and recommendations. If you have a stash of breast milk that has been frozen for 10 months, you might be wondering if it’s still safe to use.
Storage Guidelines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or colder for up to 12 months. However, they recommend using it within 6 months for optimal quality and nutrient retention. This means that while your 10-month-old frozen breast milk is technically still within the safe storage period, it is approaching the upper limit of recommended usage.
Nutritional Considerations
It’s important to note that while the milk may still be safe to consume, nutritional quality can diminish over time. Research indicates that breast milk begins to lose vital nutrients after about 9 months of freezing. This decline in nutritional value can affect the milk’s immunological properties and overall benefits for your baby.
Practical Recommendations
If you decide to use the 10-month-old frozen breast milk, here are some practical tips:
– Thawing: Always thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator or by placing the container in warm water. Avoid using a microwave, as it can create hot spots and destroy some of the milk’s beneficial properties.
– Smell and Taste Test: After thawing, give the milk a smell and taste test. If it smells off or has an unusual taste, it’s best to discard it.
– Use It Wisely: If you have other, fresher milk available, consider using that first. The general rule of thumb is to use the oldest milk first to minimize waste.
Conclusion
In summary, while you can technically use 10-month-old frozen breast milk, it’s advisable to be cautious. The milk is still safe, but its nutritional quality may not be at its best. Always prioritize your baby’s health and well-being by following safe storage practices and being mindful of the milk’s condition before use.

Is frozen breast milk good after 1 year?

Breast milk can be stored at 0° F or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best.

Can I use 1 year old frozen breast milk?

Breast milk can be stored at 0° F or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best.

Can I use 9 month old frozen breastmilk?

Chest or a deep freezer: Breast milk frozen and stored in this type of freezer at −4°F (−20°C) can be kept the longest. You can keep milk frozen for up to 12 months (but using within the first 6 months is optimal, according to Mayo Clinic [1]).

What happens to breastmilk after 12 months in the freezer?

There’s nothing to suggest long-term frozen breastmilk will harbor pathogens, but it seems likely that there is some degradation of nutrients. I will say these figures are small — say, 3 to 10%. Put differently: if you feed your baby milk that has been frozen for 6 months, they might need more.

Can you use breast milk after 12 months?

After 12 months, they recommend continued nursing “as long as you and your baby desire it”. The AAP does not recommend an upper age limit for weaning from breastfeeding. If you want to continue breastfeeding, be sure to avoid the pitfalls that can lead to weaning resistance.

At what age is breast milk no longer beneficial?

Breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby’s main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.

When should you not use frozen breast milk?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of a deep freezer for up to 12 months. However, using the frozen milk within six months is optimal.

How can you tell if frozen breast milk has gone bad?

Digestive enzymes and other components of breastmilk remain active even when milk is expressed or pumped. Expressed human milk may undergo odor changes when stored. Parents sometimes describe expressed or defrosted milk as smelling odd – metallic, soapy, or even rancid.

Can bacteria grow in frozen breast milk?

Results: Significant declines in bacterial colony counts were seen from 2 to 12 weeks freezer storage for all bacteria. There were no differences in colony counts between freezer types. Once thawed, no further bacterial growth occurred. Conclusions: Short-term freezer storage for 12 weeks resulted bacterial killing.

Is frozen milk safe after 6 months?

How Long Can You Freeze Milk? Milk that has been frozen correctly and stored in a deep freezer is good for about 6-9 months before the flavor begins to change. There’s no hard and fast expiration date, and how fresh your milk was when you froze it will also determine how long it will last in the freezer.