Can you put breastmilk back in fridge after warming it up?

Understanding the Safety of Reusing Warmed Breast Milk
When it comes to the delicate process of feeding infants, especially with breast milk, many parents find themselves navigating a maze of guidelines and recommendations. One common question that arises is whether it is safe to put breast milk back in the fridge after it has been warmed. The answer is nuanced and hinges on several important factors.
The General Guidelines
According to health experts, once breast milk has been warmed, it should ideally be used within a specific timeframe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that warmed breast milk should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the milk has been warmed and not consumed, it can be refrigerated again, but there are caveats to consider.
Key Considerations
1. Bacterial Growth: The primary concern with re-refrigerating warmed breast milk is the potential for bacterial growth. When breast milk is warmed, it can reach temperatures that promote the growth of bacteria. If the milk has been warmed and then left out for an extended period, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
2. Time Limits: If the warmed breast milk has been kept at room temperature for less than two hours, it can be safely refrigerated again. However, if it has been at room temperature for longer than that, it should be thrown away to ensure the baby’s safety.
3. Nutritional Integrity: While refrigerating warmed breast milk is permissible under certain conditions, repeated warming and cooling can affect the milk’s nutritional quality. Each time breast milk is heated, some of its beneficial properties may diminish, which is particularly important for infants who rely on these nutrients for their development.
Practical Tips for Parents
For parents managing breast milk storage, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:
– Plan Ahead: If possible, warm only the amount of breast milk that you anticipate your baby will consume in one feeding. This minimizes waste and reduces the need to re-refrigerate.

– Use a Thermometer: To ensure that breast milk is warmed safely, consider using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. The ideal warming temperature is around body temperature (98.6°F or 37°C).
– Labeling: If you do refrigerate warmed milk, label it with the date and time it was warmed. This helps keep track of how long it has been stored and ensures that you adhere to safety guidelines.
In conclusion, while it is possible to put warmed breast milk back in the fridge under certain conditions, parents must be vigilant about timing and storage practices to ensure their baby’s health and safety. By following these guidelines, caregivers can navigate the complexities of breast milk storage with confidence.

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 I put breast milk back in the fridge after warming?

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. “The baby’s mouth touching the milk leads to bacterial growth in the 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 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.

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 I rewarm breast milk twice?

When it come to heating up breast milk, it’s generally recommended that you only reheat breast milk once, maybe twice. The reasoning for this is that each time you heat and cool the milk, it can potentially degrade the quality and nutritional value.

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 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.

Can you reheat baby milk more than once?

Always be sure to refrigerate untouched formula and never freeze it as freezing can affect the nutrients in the mix. Formula should only be reheated one time and any leftover liquid should be tossed after that! To safely reheat formula straight from the fridge, we recommend using a bottle warmer.

Can you put baby milk back in fridge after warming?

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