Can you thaw and refreeze breast milk?

Can You Thaw and Refreeze Breast Milk?
The question of whether you can thaw and refreeze breast milk is one that many parents grapple with, especially those who rely on pumping and storing milk for their infants. The answer is nuanced and depends on several factors, including the state of the milk and how it has been handled.
Thawing Breast Milk
When breast milk is frozen, it can be safely thawed for use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends thawing breast milk in the refrigerator overnight or using warm water, as these methods help maintain the milk’s nutritional quality and safety. It’s crucial to avoid microwaving breast milk, as this can create hot spots that may burn a baby’s mouth and can also destroy some of the beneficial nutrients.
Refreezing Breast Milk: The Guidelines
The general consensus among experts is that once breast milk has been fully thawed—meaning there are no ice crystals left—it should not be refrozen. This is primarily due to the potential damage to the milk’s proteins and nutrients that occurs during the thawing process. When breast milk is thawed, it begins a 24-hour countdown during which it should be used or discarded if kept in the refrigerator.
However, there is a caveat: if breast milk is only partially thawed and still contains ice crystals, it is considered safe to refreeze it. This means that as long as some ice remains, the milk has not fully thawed, and it can be returned to the freezer for later use.
Nutritional Considerations
The nutritional integrity of breast milk is paramount for infant health. Refreezing fully thawed milk can compromise its quality, as the process can lead to the breakdown of essential nutrients and proteins that are vital for a baby’s growth and development. Therefore, while it may be technically possible to refreeze partially thawed milk, doing so with fully thawed milk is not recommended.
Conclusion
In summary, while you can refreeze breast milk if it is only partially thawed, fully thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours and not refrozen. Parents should always prioritize the safety and nutritional quality of breast milk to ensure the best for their infants. If there are any uncertainties or concerns about the milk’s quality, consulting with a healthcare provider or lactation specialist is advisable.

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.

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 you freeze milk twice?

You can only freeze and de-frost milk once (never re-freeze), so if you live in a small household, this is the best option to avoid wastage.

Why can’t you refreeze thawed breast milk?

When the food is thawed, bacterial growth speeds up, especially if the food reaches room temperature. Now, if it is refrozen, there are more bacteria than before, and when it thaws out again, we start with a greater pool of bacteria that can multiply.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.