Can you put back refrigerated breast milk?

Understanding the Storage of Breast Milk
Breastfeeding is a vital aspect of infant nutrition, and understanding how to properly store breast milk is crucial for ensuring its safety and quality. One common question among new parents is whether they can refrigerate breast milk again after it has been warmed. The answer is nuanced and depends on several factors.
The Basics of Breast Milk Storage
Freshly expressed breast milk can be safely stored in the refrigerator at temperatures around 40°F (4°C) for up to four days. It is recommended to chill the milk immediately after expressing to maximize its freshness and safety. When it comes to warming breast milk, it is typically done to bring it to a comfortable temperature for feeding.
Can You Refrigerate Warmed Breast Milk Again?
The consensus among experts is that warmed breast milk should not be refrigerated again if it has been partially fed to a baby. This is primarily due to the risk of bacterial contamination. When a baby drinks from a bottle, bacteria from their mouth can enter the milk. Refrigerating this milk again does not eliminate the risk of these bacteria multiplying, which could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses .
However, there are some caveats. If breast milk has been warmed but not fed to the baby, it can be refrigerated again, but it should ideally be used within a short time frame to ensure safety. The general guideline is that warmed breast milk can remain at room temperature for up to two hours after warming, and if it has not been consumed, it can be placed back in the fridge for later use.
Best Practices for Handling Breast Milk
To ensure the safety of breast milk, consider the following best practices:
– Chill Immediately: Always refrigerate breast milk right after expressing it to maintain its quality.
– Limit Warming: Only warm the amount of milk you anticipate your baby will consume in one feeding.
– Discard Leftovers: If your baby does not finish the milk, it is safest to discard any leftover milk rather than attempting to refrigerate it again.
– Monitor Time: Keep track of how long the milk has been at room temperature or in the fridge to avoid exceeding safe storage times.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is possible to refrigerate breast milk again under certain conditions, the safest practice is to avoid re-refrigerating milk that has been warmed and partially fed to a baby. By following proper storage guidelines, parents can ensure that their breast milk remains safe and nutritious for their little ones.

Can I take breast milk out of the fridge and put it back?

If the milk has been previously frozen, once thawed, it can sit out at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. If thawed milk is put in the refrigerator, use within 24 hours. Do not re-freeze previously frozen breast milk. If the baby didn’t finish the bottle, discard the milk after 2 hours.

Can I put an unfinished bottle in the fridge?

If you do not start to use the prepared infant formula within 2 hours, immediately store the bottle in the fridge and use it within 24 hours.

How long is breast milk good for after thawing in the fridge?

within 24 hours
Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

Can I put breast milk back in the fridge after baby drinks from it?

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. Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.

How long is breast milk good for after thawing?

Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

Can you put baby milk back in the fridge?

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 I restore refrigerated breast milk?

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 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 warm up refrigerated 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.

Is it okay to put breast 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.