Can you put breast milk back in the fridge after heating it up?

Can You Put Breast Milk Back in the Fridge After Heating It Up?
The question of whether warmed breast milk can be safely returned to the refrigerator is one that many new parents grapple with. The answer, while seemingly straightforward, is nuanced and hinges on several important factors related to safety and best practices.
The General Consensus
The prevailing guideline among health professionals is that once breast milk has been warmed, it should not be returned to the fridge. This recommendation is primarily due to concerns about bacterial growth. When breast milk is heated, it creates an environment that can encourage the proliferation of bacteria, especially if the milk has been left at room temperature for an extended period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warmed breast milk should ideally be used within two hours if it has been left out at room temperature.
Exceptions to the Rule
However, there are some exceptions to this guideline. If the warmed breast milk has not been consumed and is returned to the fridge within a specific timeframe, it may still be safe to use. Some sources suggest that if the milk has been warmed but not touched by the baby, it can be refrigerated again for up to four hours. This is contingent on the milk being kept at a safe temperature and not being left out for too long.
Risks of Re-refrigeration
Despite these exceptions, many experts caution against the practice of re-refrigerating warmed breast milk. The risk of bacterial contamination increases significantly once the milk has been warmed, and the potential for foodborne illness in infants is a serious concern. As one Reddit user pointed out, heating breast milk encourages bacterial growth, making it inadvisable to re-cool it.
Best Practices for Storing Breast Milk
To minimize waste and ensure the safety of breast milk, parents are encouraged to follow these best practices:
– Warm only what you need: If possible, warm only the amount of breast milk that your baby is likely to consume in one feeding.
– Use within two hours: If the milk has been warmed and not consumed, aim to use it within two hours to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
– Label and date: Keeping track of when breast milk is stored and warmed can help parents manage its use effectively.
Conclusion
In summary, while there are some guidelines that allow for the re-refrigeration of warmed breast milk under specific conditions, the safest practice is to avoid doing so altogether. By warming only what is necessary and adhering to recommended timeframes for use, parents can help ensure that their infants receive safe and nutritious breast 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 you reheat breast milk twice according to the CDC?

Use milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (from the time it is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer). Use thawed milk within 2 hours of bringing to room temperature or warming. Never refreeze thawed milk.

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.

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 I put warmed up breast milk back in the fridge?

Warmed milk from the fridge should be used within two hours. 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.

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.

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.

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 save breast milk after it has been heated?

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. Never refreeze breast milk after it has thawed.