Can you refreeze breast milk thawed in the fridge?

Can You Refreeze Breast Milk Thawed in the Fridge?
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 that has been thawed in the refrigerator.
The General Consensus
The consensus among health professionals and organizations, including the CDC, is that refreezing thawed breast milk is not recommended. Once breast milk has been thawed, particularly in the refrigerator, it should ideally be used within 24 hours. If it is not consumed within this timeframe, the milk should be discarded rather than refrozen.
Why Not Refreeze?
The primary concern with refreezing thawed breast milk lies in the potential degradation of its nutritional and immunological properties. When breast milk is frozen and then thawed, the structure of its proteins can be altered. This change can diminish the milk’s quality and its ability to provide essential nutrients to the infant. Additionally, the risk of bacterial growth increases each time the milk is thawed and refrozen, which can pose health risks to the baby.
Storage Guidelines
To maximize the safety and quality of breast milk, it is crucial to follow proper storage guidelines. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, while frozen milk can last for about six months in a standard freezer. If you find yourself with thawed milk that you cannot use, it is best to discard it rather than attempt to refreeze.
Conclusion
In summary, while the idea of refreezing thawed breast milk may seem convenient, it is not advisable due to the potential risks to your baby’s health and the loss of nutritional value. Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and manage their milk supply carefully to avoid waste and ensure their infants receive the best possible nutrition.

Can breast milk be thawed twice?

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.

What happens if you freeze and unfreeze milk?

You might notice that the thawed milk is separated or looks like it has a grainy texture. This goes for both dairy milk and plant-based milks. It’s totally normal; this happens because the fat separates during freezing, which causes the milk to look grainy.

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 you refreeze milk after it’s been defrosted?

It’s not advisable to refreeze fully thawed milk. It would be different if there were some ice crystals left but I wouldn’t freeze milk twice.

Is frozen milk ok after it thaws?

However, as long as freezing happens on or before the best before date, it is fine to freeze milk and thaw it for later use. The texture of thawed milk may be different from fresh milk, but the solids and liquid usually recombine when a person shakes or blends it.

Why should you not refreeze after thawing?

First of all, the quality of any food is affected when you freeze it for a second time. That’s because slow freezing introduces large ice crystals that damage the cells of the food once it’s thawed — the culprit behind “mushy” meat or fish.

Can you refrigerate breastmilk twice?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

Can I refreeze breast milk after thawing in the fridge?

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.

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 long can you keep frozen breast milk once defrosted?

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.