Can you refreeze breast milk after defrosting?

Can You Refreeze Breast Milk After Defrosting?
The question of whether breast milk can be refrozen after it has been thawed is a common concern for nursing mothers and caregivers. Understanding the proper handling of breast milk is crucial to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of this vital resource for infants.
The Basics of Breast Milk Storage
Breast milk is a precious commodity, rich in nutrients and antibodies that are essential for a baby’s growth and immune system development. Proper storage and handling are imperative to maintain its quality. According to guidelines from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), fresh breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, in a freezer for six to 12 months, or in a deep freezer for up to 12 months.
Refreezing Breast Milk: The Guidelines
When it comes to refreezing breast milk, the guidelines are quite clear. Breast milk that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, but it is not advisable to refreeze breast milk that has been thawed at room temperature or in warm water. This is because thawing at room temperature can lead to the growth of bacteria, which can compromise the milk’s safety if refrozen and subsequently fed to an infant.
The CDC emphasizes that once breast milk is thawed, it should ideally be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator. If the milk was thawed in the fridge and not consumed, then freezing it again is permissible, albeit with some caveats.
Nutritional Considerations
It’s essential to consider the nutritional integrity of breast milk when refreezing. While refreezing thawed milk is allowed under specific conditions, repeated freezing and thawing can degrade some of the beneficial components of the milk, such as antibodies and enzymes. Therefore, while it is technically possible to refreeze thawed breast milk, it may not retain the same nutritional value as fresh or properly stored milk.
Best Practices for Handling Breast Milk
To ensure the safest handling of breast milk, consider these best practices:
1. Label and Date: Always label containers with the date the milk was expressed and the date it was thawed. This will help you track how long it has been stored.

2. Thawing Method: Thaw breast milk slowly in the refrigerator or use warm water—never at room temperature. This minimizes the risk of bacterial growth.
3. Avoid Refreezing Whenever Possible: If you can, plan to use thawed milk within a day to avoid the need to refreeze it.
4. Monitor Temperature: Ensure that breast milk is stored at consistent and safe temperatures. Refrigerators should be at or below 4°C (39°F), and freezers should be at -18°C (0°F) or colder.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is technically permissible to refreeze breast milk that has been thawed in the refrigerator, caregivers should be cautious and mindful of the potential impact on the milk’s nutritional quality. Following best practices for storage and handling will ensure that infants receive the healthiest and safest breast milk possible. As always, when in doubt, consulting with a pediatrician or lactation consultant can provide tailored advice for individual circumstances.

Can thawed breast milk go back in 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.

Can you reheat thawed breastmilk more than once?

It’s generally fine to warm up breast milk once, maybe twice, if you really need to. While there don’t appear to be many studies on this particular situation, most experts and pediatricians agree that warming up breast milk only once is the goal.

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.

Can frozen milk be thawed and refrozen?

The CDC says that you can refreeze thawed milk if it contains ice crystals. However, given the factors mentioned above, if you have any concerns you can always strain the ice crystals and refreeze those, and use the thawed milk according to these milk storage guidelines (LINK).

What happens if you freeze milk twice?

Most people worry about the food safety of thawing and refreezing, but as long as it’s done right, it’s perfectly safe. The only risk you’ll take is ruining the taste and texture of the food.

How many times can you freeze and thaw breast milk?

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.

Why is thawed breast milk only good for 24 hours?

Bacteria can grow rapidly in thawed milk, especially if it’s kept at room temperature or if the storage conditions are not optimal. Using the milk within 24 hours minimizes the risk of bacterial growth and ensures the milk is safe for your baby.

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 happens if I refreeze thawed breast milk?

• Refreezing breast milk that has been previously thawed can alter the composition and quality of the milk.
• Furthermore, refreezing breast milk can also increase the risk of bacterial growth and contamination, as the process of thawing and refreezing can create an environment that is favorable for bacterial growth.

What foods Cannot be refrozen after thawing?

If food is completely thawed, warmed to room temperature or left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, throw the food out for safety’s sake. These principles apply to meat, poultry, shellfish, some vegetables and cooked foods. Do not refreeze ice cream and similar frozen desserts.