Can I warm up breast milk and put it back in the fridge?

Understanding the Safety of Warming and Storing Breast Milk
When it comes to the delicate process of warming and storing breast milk, safety is paramount. Many parents wonder whether they can warm up breast milk and then put it back in the fridge for later use. The answer is nuanced and hinges on a few critical guidelines.
Warming Breast Milk: Best Practices
Warming breast milk is often necessary to make it more palatable for infants. The general recommendation is to warm it to room temperature, which can help maintain its nutritional quality and make it easier for babies to drink. However, once breast milk has been warmed, it enters a time-sensitive phase. According to health guidelines, warmed breast milk should be used within two hours after warming. If it is not consumed within this timeframe, it should be discarded.
Refrigeration After Warming: The Risks
The consensus among health experts is clear: once breast milk has been warmed, it should not be returned to the refrigerator. This is primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth. When breast milk is warmed, it can reach temperatures that allow bacteria to proliferate, especially if it is left out for too long. Therefore, if your baby does not finish a bottle of warmed milk, it is safest to throw away any leftover milk rather than risk potential contamination.
Storage Recommendations
To avoid waste, many parents find it helpful to store breast milk in smaller amounts. This way, they can warm only what they need for a feeding, minimizing the risk of having to discard unused milk. Additionally, when storing expressed breast milk, it is advisable to use clean, BPA-free containers and to label them with the date and time of expression to keep track of freshness.
In summary, while warming breast milk is a common practice, it is crucial to adhere to safety guidelines. Once warmed, breast milk should be consumed within two hours and should not be refrigerated again. By following these recommendations, parents can ensure that their infants receive safe and nutritious feedings.

Can you put thawed breast milk back in the fridge after?

If your breast milk has completely thawed but still feels cold, put it in the refrigerator and use it within the next day or throw it away.

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.

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.

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 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 rewarm breast milk twice?

Breast milk that has been refrigerated or frozen can only be heated once. Never reheat breast milk as this accumulates bacteria the more it is exposed to warmer temperatures. Breast milk that has been heated or brought to room temperature needs to be consumed within 2 hours.

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 you put heated milk back in the fridge?

If your baby does not finish a feeding, you should throw away the leftover breast milk in the bottle. Warmed breast milk CAN NOT be refrigerated again. Although it’s not well known, refrigeration can slow the growth of some bacteria. Doctors do not recommend refrigerating heated milk.

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

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 heating it up?

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