Does freezing breast milk ruin it?

Understanding the Impact of Freezing on Breast Milk
Freezing breast milk is a common practice among breastfeeding mothers, especially for those who need to store milk for later use. However, there are concerns about whether this process affects the quality and nutritional value of the milk.
Nutritional Integrity
Research indicates that freezing breast milk does not significantly ruin its nutritional content. In fact, when breast milk is frozen and thawed properly, it retains most of its macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive components. A systematic review highlighted that as long as the milk is consumed within recommended timeframes and thawed appropriately, its nutritional quality remains largely intact.
Storage Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer at temperatures of -20°C (-4°F) for up to 12 months, although the best quality is typically maintained for about 6 months. This guideline underscores the importance of proper storage conditions to preserve the milk’s integrity.
Freezing Process
When freezing breast milk, it is crucial to use containers specifically designed for this purpose. Mothers are advised to freeze milk in smaller amounts, typically 2-4 ounces, to minimize waste and ensure that the milk can be consumed in one feeding. Additionally, it is important to leave some space in the container, as breast milk expands when frozen.
Potential Changes During Freezing
While the overall nutritional quality is preserved, some studies suggest that there may be minor changes in certain components of breast milk due to freezing. For instance, the energy content and some specific nutrients may experience slight reductions, but these changes are generally not significant enough to impact the overall health benefits of the milk.
Conclusion
In summary, freezing breast milk is a safe and effective method for storage that does not ruin its quality. By following proper guidelines for freezing and thawing, mothers can ensure that their babies receive the full benefits of breast milk, even after it has been stored for an extended period. This practice not only supports breastfeeding mothers in managing their milk supply but also provides a reliable source of nutrition for infants when direct breastfeeding is not possible.

Does freezing breastmilk affect quality?

Thawed milk is an excellent alternative when fresh breast milk isn’t available. Previously frozen breast milk has similar nutrient and antibody content to fresh milk. It does lose a small amount of those qualities but can still provide a baby with the nutrition it needs.

Does freezing breastmilk make it lose nutrients?

Energy content decreased when milk was frozen for >8 weeks. Total fat content decreased as the freezing period of milk increased, and total free fatty acid content increased. Thirty days of freezing led to a non-significant decrease in the vitamin E content of milk.

Does freezing damage colostrum?

In summary, colostrum can be stored at 4°C for up to 48 h or at −20°C or −80°C for at least 6 mo without losing its immunological properties.

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.

Does freezing milk destroy protein?

Though human milk is stable at room temperature for hours, freezing it promptly ensures its nutritional benefits. When frozen and stored for more than 90 days, however, fat, protein, and calories may decrease, and acidity may increase due to ongoing lipase activity [5].

Why does breast milk taste bad after freezing?

The longer milk is kept at room temperature or even in the refrigerator before being frozen, the more lipase activity it will have. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but is not harmful to the baby.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

Breast milk does not need to be warmed. It can be served room temperature or cold.

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.

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate breast milk?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of the refrigerator for up to four days in clean conditions. However, it’s optimal to use or freeze the milk within three days. Deep freezer. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of a deep freezer for up to 12 months.

Does freezing breast milk 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.