Can you refrigerate breast milk after warming it up?

Understanding the Guidelines for Refrigerating Warmed Breast Milk
When it comes to the delicate process of feeding infants, especially with breast milk, parents often have questions about safety and storage practices. One common query is whether it is safe to refrigerate breast milk after it has been warmed. The answer is nuanced and hinges on a few critical guidelines.
The Two-Hour Rule
According to expert recommendations, once breast milk has been warmed, it should ideally be consumed within two hours. If the milk is not used within this timeframe, it is generally advised to discard it rather than returning it to the refrigerator. This precaution is primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth that can occur once the milk has been warmed and exposed to the environment, including potential contaminants from the baby’s mouth.
Refrigeration After Warming
While some sources suggest that warmed breast milk can be refrigerated again, this is contingent on the timing. If the milk has been warmed and not consumed, it can be placed back in the refrigerator only if it is done within two hours of warming. Beyond this window, the safety of the milk diminishes significantly, and it is best to err on the side of caution by discarding it.
Consulting Professionals
For parents navigating these guidelines, consulting with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant can provide personalized advice tailored to individual circumstances. They can offer insights into best practices for storing, reheating, and feeding breast milk, ensuring that both the baby’s health and the quality of the milk are prioritized.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is technically possible to refrigerate warmed breast milk again, it must be done within a strict two-hour window. After this period, the safest course of action is to discard any unused milk. This approach helps to minimize health risks for infants, who have particularly sensitive immune systems. Always prioritize safety and consult with healthcare professionals when in doubt.

Can I put breastmilk in the fridge after warming?

Healthcare professionals, including lactation consultants and pediatricians, generally recommend against refrigerating breast milk again once it has been warmed. This is because once breast milk is warmed to a typical feeding temperature, bacterial growth will accelerate.

Can you put heated milk back in the fridge?

Doctors do not recommend refrigerating heated milk.

How long is formula good for once warmed?

within 1 hour
Something else to know: If you’ve warmed up a bottle, our previous 2-hour guideline for untouched formula doesn’t apply. A heated bottle should be used within 1 hour, and any remaining should be poured down the sink after that time.

How long can you keep breast milk after it’s been warmed up?

Warmed breast milk will typically need to be used within two hours of warming it. Finding a reliable, plastic-free storage bottle for your breast milk is critical to safely storing your liquid gold. You can thaw frozen breast milk in the fridge under running or in warm or hot water.

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 you save breast milk if baby doesn’t finish bottle?

How do I store and serve leftover breast milk? Leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming it in smaller amounts.

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 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.

Can I refrigerate an unfinished bottle of breastmilk?

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.

Can you reheat breast milk twice according to the CDC?

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.