Can you put warmed breast milk back in the fridge?

The Dilemma of Storing Warmed Breast Milk
For new parents, the question of whether to refrigerate warmed breast milk is a common concern, often accompanied by anxiety about the safety and health of their baby. The guidelines surrounding breast milk storage can be confusing, but understanding the best practices is crucial for ensuring your little one receives safe and nutritious feedings.
Can You Refrigerate Warmed Breast Milk?
The short answer is yes, you can put warmed breast milk back in the fridge, but there are important conditions to consider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if breast milk has been warmed and not used, it should ideally be consumed within two hours. If it has been left out at room temperature for longer than this, it is recommended to discard it to prevent any risk of bacterial growth.
However, some sources suggest that if the warmed milk has not been used and is promptly returned to the refrigerator, it may be safe to refrigerate it again, provided it has been within the two-hour window. This practice, while debated, hinges on the understanding that breast milk is a perishable product and should be treated with care.
Best Practices for Storing Breast Milk
To maximize the safety and quality of breast milk, here are some best practices:
1. Immediate Refrigeration: Always refrigerate breast milk right after it is expressed. This helps to maintain its freshness and nutritional value.

2. Temperature Control: Store breast milk in the main body of the refrigerator rather than the door, where temperatures can fluctuate.
3. Single Heating: It is generally advised to only warm breast milk once. Repeated warming and cooling can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
4. Consult Professionals: When in doubt, consulting with a pediatrician or lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is technically possible to refrigerate warmed breast milk again, it is essential to adhere to strict time limits and safety practices. The overarching principle is to prioritize your baby’s health by minimizing the risk of contamination. By following these guidelines, parents can navigate the complexities of breast milk storage with greater confidence, ensuring their little ones receive the best possible nutrition.

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 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.

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.

How long can you leave breast milk out once warmed?

If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. 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.

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 heated milk go back in the fridge?

And this is milk you worked hard to save, so of course it will be tempting to put the bottle back in the fridge! But here’s the problem – while putting the bottle in the fridge will slow down the growth of bacteria, it will not reverse any bacterial growth that happened while the milk was warm.

Can I put breastmilk back in the fridge after warming it up?

You cannot refrigerate it again once it warms– it doesn’t matter the method. Increased temperature gives bacteria a chance to multiply. The time limits are generally what is thought to be of as safe levels.

Can room temperature milk go back in the fridge?

Food can hang out in this zone for a bit, but after two hours, the risk of potentially harmful bacteria is significant. The clock rolls back to just one hour if the ambient temperature in the room is at 90 degrees F or higher — all to say, it’s imperative to get that milk back in the fridge as soon as possible.

What to do with leftover warmed breast milk?

If baby eats often then just pop it back in fridge and reheat for the next feed. Or you can set it aside and use it for milk baths. Although there are so many different guidelines out there I will say that it’s up to you what you feel comfortable doing with your baby.