Can you refreeze breast milk according to the CDC?

Understanding Refreezing Breast Milk According to the CDC
When it comes to the delicate process of storing and handling breast milk, many parents find themselves grappling with questions about safety and best practices. One common query is whether it is safe to refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the guidelines surrounding this issue are quite specific.
Refreezing Guidelines
The CDC states that breast milk can be refrozen under certain conditions. If breast milk has been thawed but still contains ice crystals, it is safe to refreeze it. This indicates that the milk has not completely thawed and is still partially frozen, which helps maintain its quality and safety. However, once breast milk has been fully thawed and has been kept in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours, it should not be refrozen. This is crucial to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can occur when milk is left at warmer temperatures for extended periods.
Best Practices for Storage
To ensure the safety and nutritional quality of breast milk, the CDC recommends several best practices for storage. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, while it can be frozen for up to six months in a standard freezer and up to 12 months in a deep freezer. When storing breast milk, it is advisable to use clean, BPA-free containers or breast milk storage bags, and to label them with the date and time of expression to keep track of freshness.
Conclusion
In summary, while the CDC allows for the refreezing of breast milk under specific conditions—namely, if it still contains ice crystals—parents should exercise caution. Fully thawed milk that has been refrigerated for more than a day should not be refrozen. By adhering to these guidelines, caregivers can ensure that they are providing safe and nutritious milk for their infants.

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).

What are the CDC guidelines for breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans [PDF-30.6MB] recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods until your child is 12 months old or older.

How to tell if frozen breast milk is bad?

The milk is likely to have a very distinctive sour smell and may even taste metallic, like soap or bitter. If it smells sour, it is very likely because of the lipase enzyme’s action on the fat content of breast milk.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

Why can’t you reheat breast milk twice?

Never re-refrigerate, refreeze, or reheat breast milk after it’s been heated or exposed to room temperature for more than 2 hours. 2. Reheating breast milk can cause bacteria to grow. If breast milk is exposed to heat beyond 2 hours, it must be disposed of whether or not it has been consumed.

Can breast milk be refrozen after thawed?

Sadly, breast milk must be used within 24 hours of thawing, and it can never be refrozen. The milk is high in sugar and bacteria — left out, the milk becomes a bacteria soup. It could give the baby life-threatening diarrhea.

Does breast milk spoil when frozen?

Breast milk can be stored at 0° F or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best. Count the age of the milk from the first time it was frozen, regardless of when it was moved. Moving frozen breast milk between freezer locations should be done quickly to ensure that the milk stays frozen.

How many times can you freeze breast milk?

No, it’s not safe to refreeze previously thawed breast milk and then give it to your baby later. Once frozen breast milk has thawed, it’s best used within 24 hours (or up to 72 hours, according to the AAP). After that, any leftover thawed milk shouldn’t be consumed.

Can you put frozen breast milk back in the fridge?

Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Don’t thaw or heat frozen breast milk in a microwave or in boiling water.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.