Can you refreeze breast milk after its been thawed?

Can You Refreeze Thawed Breast Milk?
The question of whether you can refreeze breast milk after it has been thawed is a common concern among breastfeeding parents. The guidelines surrounding this issue are crucial for ensuring the safety and nutritional quality of the milk intended for infants.
The General Consensus
The prevailing advice from health organizations, including the CDC and La Leche League, is not to refreeze breast milk once it has been fully thawed. This recommendation stems from concerns about both the safety and the nutritional integrity of the milk. When breast milk is thawed, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but once that time has passed, it should be discarded if not used.
Conditions for Refreezing
While the general rule is against refreezing, there are specific conditions under which it might be considered. If the breast milk has only partially thawed and still contains ice crystals, it may be safe to refreeze it. This is because the presence of ice crystals indicates that the milk has not fully warmed, which helps maintain its quality. However, if the milk has been completely thawed and is at room temperature, it should not be refrozen. This is primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth and the potential breakdown of nutrients that can occur during the thawing process.
Nutritional and Safety Concerns
The nutritional composition of breast milk is delicate, and repeated freezing and thawing can lead to a degradation of its beneficial properties. Proteins and other nutrients can be adversely affected, which is why health experts advise against refreezing thawed milk. Additionally, the risk of bacterial contamination increases with each thawing cycle, making it unsafe for infant consumption.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is technically possible to refreeze breast milk under certain conditions—specifically if it has not fully thawed—the safest practice is to avoid refreezing altogether. Parents are encouraged to use thawed breast milk within 24 hours and to discard any leftovers to ensure their baby’s health and safety. By adhering to these guidelines, caregivers can provide the best nutrition for their infants while minimizing health risks.

Can you double freeze breast milk?

You can store breast milk in the freezer for up to one year, but use within 6 months is best. Never refreeze breast milk after it has been thawed.

Can you refreeze breast milk for a milk bath?

Once frozen breast milk is thawed, it’s best to use it within the first 24 hours, according to the CDC. (The AAP has less stringent recommendations and deems it’s safe to use within 48 – 72 hours if properly refrigerated.) Breast milk shouldn’t be refrozen.

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).

Can thawed breast milk go back in the fridge?

Breastmilk can only be frozen once. Once thawed, it needs to be used up. It can stay in the fridge for up to 48 hours after being thawed, then/or once it has been brought up to room temperature, it needs to be used up within 5–8 hours. It cannot be refrigerated again.

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 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 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.

Can you freeze breast milk after unfreezing?

If you’re thawing frozen breast milk, follow these guidelines for how long the milk can be safely used. Remember: Thawed breast milk cannot be re-frozen.

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.

Can thawed items be refrozen?

When is it safe to refreeze food? You can safely refreeze frozen food that has thawed—raw or cooked, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. To safely refreeze, the thawed product must have been kept cold at 40 degrees or below for no more than 3-4 days.