Can you refrigerate breastmilk twice?

Understanding Breastmilk Storage: Can You Refrigerate It Twice?
Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both infants and mothers, and proper storage of breastmilk is crucial to ensure its safety and nutritional quality. A common question among breastfeeding mothers is whether it is safe to refrigerate breastmilk more than once.
The Basics of Breastmilk Storage
Breastmilk can be stored in several ways: at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), freshly expressed breastmilk can be safely kept at room temperature (around 77°F or 25°C) for up to four hours. When it comes to refrigeration, breastmilk can be stored in a refrigerator at 39°F (4°C) for up to four days.
Can You Refrigerate Breastmilk Twice?
Once breastmilk has been thawed or warmed, the question of whether it can be refrigerated again arises. The consensus among health experts is clear: breastmilk that has been thawed in the fridge can be safely refrigerated again only once. However, it should be used within 24 hours after being thawed.
If breastmilk has been warmed to room temperature, it should not be refrozen or refrigerated again. This is because warming can promote the growth of bacteria, and repeated temperature changes can compromise the milk’s quality.
Key Guidelines for Safe Storage
1. Freshly Expressed Milk: Can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
2. Thawed Milk: Should be used within 24 hours after being thawed.
3. Warmed Milk: Should not be refrozen or refrigerated again.
Practical Tips for Mothers
– Labeling: Always label your milk with the date it was expressed, so you can keep track of how long it has been stored.
– Containers: Use clean, BPA-free containers or breastmilk storage bags designed for freezing.
– Temperature: Ensure your refrigerator is at the correct temperature (ideally at or below 39°F) to maintain the quality of the milk.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is permissible to refrigerate breastmilk a second time after thawing, it is essential to adhere to the recommended time limits and storage practices to ensure the safety and health of your baby. Following these guidelines will help mothers navigate the complexities of breastmilk storage while providing the best nutrition for their little ones.

Can you refrigerate breastmilk that has been out for 3 hours?

Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 4 hours, or up 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed; however, it is best to chill as soon as possible.

Can you reheat breast milk twice according to the CDC?

Can You Reheat Breast Milk Multiple Times? Yes, you can reheat it once, maybe twice. Any more than that, you risk giving your baby spoiled breast milk while also losing its nutritional value.

Can you store breast milk from different sessions together?

If you combine breast milk from different days, be sure to cool your fresh breast milk before adding it to the previously refrigerated milk. Make sure the container of combined milk is labeled with the date the older milk was pumped. Store it in the freezer if the oldest milk was pumped more than four days ago.

Can you put breastmilk back in fridge after warming it up?

Our rule is that once breast milk has been warmed, it needs to be used within the hour. Warmed breast milk should never be re-refrigerated, so if it isn’t used then it gets tossed. Freshly expressed breast milk is good at room temperature for up to 4 hrs, but then it needs to be used/refrigerated/frozen.

Can I refrigerate breast milk twice?

If the bottle you’re using was properly cleaned and sterilized, it’s probably fine to put it back into the refrigerator and rewarm the bottle when they’re ready for it. It’s even fine to refrigerate and rewarm a bottle that was partially finished, usually within the recommended 2 hours, or thereabouts.

Can you put baby milk back in fridge after warming?

Once a bottle is prepared or taken from the fridge for feeding, use the formula within 1 hour or throw it out. You cannot re-refrigerate formula once it has been warmed or reaches room temperature. The reason experts recommend you throw away unused formula is because bacteria can begin to grow.

Can I add to breast milk that’s already refrigerated?

Mixing freshly expressed breast milk with already cooled or frozen milk is not advised because it can rewarm the older stored milk. It is best to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with older, previously cooled or frozen milk. Also consider storage duration guidelines for breast milk.

Can you put breast milk that’s been sitting out back in the fridge?

Freshly pumped milk can be out for 4 hours before needing to be refrigerated. Milk that has been refrigerated but is now out is good for 2 hours. You should never re-refrigerated milk that has been refrigerated and brought out to room temperature.

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.

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.