Does breastmilk lose nutrients when frozen?

The Nutritional Integrity of Frozen Breast Milk
Breast milk is often hailed as the gold standard for infant nutrition, providing essential nutrients that support a baby’s growth and development. However, many parents wonder about the impact of freezing on the nutritional quality of breast milk. Does freezing compromise its nutrient content? The answer is nuanced, as research indicates that while some changes occur, breast milk retains much of its nutritional value even after being frozen.
Nutrient Stability During Freezing
Studies have shown that breast milk maintains a stable energy content when frozen for short periods, specifically up to four weeks. However, significant nutrient loss can occur if the milk is stored for longer durations, such as eight to twelve weeks. This suggests that while freezing is a viable option for preserving breast milk, it is best to use it within a month for optimal nutrient retention.
Moreover, the freezing process itself does not drastically alter the macronutrient profile of breast milk. Research indicates that the fat and calorie content of frozen breast milk can decrease over time, particularly with extended storage. This reduction is not uniform across all components; some nutrients are more resilient than others. For instance, while the overall energy content may decline, many essential vitamins and minerals remain relatively stable.
Best Practices for Freezing Breast Milk
To maximize the nutritional benefits of frozen breast milk, it is crucial to follow proper storage guidelines. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) recommends that frozen breast milk can be safely stored for up to 12 months in a deep freezer, with six months being the optimal timeframe for use. This ensures that the milk retains its quality and nutritional integrity for as long as possible.
When thawing frozen breast milk, it is important to do so gently. Rapid heating methods, such as microwaving, can lead to uneven heating and may destroy some of the beneficial properties of the milk. Instead, parents are advised to thaw milk in the refrigerator or by placing the container in warm water.
Conclusion
In summary, while freezing breast milk does lead to some nutrient loss, particularly over extended periods, it remains a safe and effective method for preserving its essential qualities. Parents can feel confident that their babies will still receive significant nutritional benefits from frozen breast milk, especially when it is stored and thawed correctly. As always, consulting with a pediatrician can provide personalized guidance tailored to individual circumstances.

Is frozen breast milk healthier than formula?

Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen.

What does freezing do to breastmilk?

Freezing breastmilk gives rise to a series of physical changes in its principal components such as rupture of the fat globule membranes and alteration of casein micelles.

Does freezing breastmilk destroy antibodies?

Remember to label the breast milk with the date that you pumped it. Thaw milk in the refrigerator or in warm water just before feeding. Thawed milk must be used within 24 hours. Note: freezing breastmilk destroys some of its antibodies.

At what temperature does breast milk lose nutrients?

According to this study by Sharron Bransburg-Zabary, breastmilk should not be overheated to temperatures higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), otherwise it could compromise the nutrient quality.

What are the disadvantages of frozen breast milk?

Some of the immune enhancing properties of breastmilk are decreased over time when milk is frozen. However, the risk of bacterial contamination of milk that has been kept in the refrigerator too long and not frozen, far outweighs the downside of freezing milk.

Does breast milk lose nutritional value when pumped?

Generally, when freshly pumped, breast milk is at its peak regarding nutrients.

Does freezing milk ruin nutrients?

People can freeze most milk, including breast milk or human milk. Frozen milk retains its nutritional profile when it thaws, and the sooner someone freezes it, the better the milk quality after thawing. The enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins it contains may decrease very slightly but largely remain the same.

Is frozen breastmilk better than formula?

Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen.

Does frozen breast milk lose nutritional value?

The process of freezing breastmilk does result in a decrease of nutritional value, though the loss is not substantial or significant compared to the nutrition that remains.

Why is frozen breast milk only good for 6 months?

There’s nothing to suggest long-term frozen breastmilk will harbor pathogens, but it seems likely that there is some degradation of nutrients. I will say these figures are small — say, 3 to 10%. Put differently: if you feed your baby milk that has been frozen for 6 months, they might need more.