How long can breast milk stay in the fridge after defrosting?

Understanding Breast Milk Storage After Defrosting
Breastfeeding mothers often face the challenge of managing their milk supply, especially when it comes to storing and thawing breast milk. One crucial aspect of this process is understanding how long defrosted breast milk can safely remain in the refrigerator.
Storage Duration After Thawing
Once breast milk has been thawed, it is essential to use it within a specific timeframe to ensure the safety and health of the infant. According to guidelines from reputable health organizations, thawed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This means that after you take your frozen breast milk out of the freezer and allow it to thaw—ideally in the refrigerator or under warm running water—it should be consumed or discarded within a day.
Best Practices for Thawing
Thawing breast milk properly is just as important as knowing how long it can be stored. The safest method is to place the frozen milk in the refrigerator, which can take about 12 hours to fully defrost. This gradual thawing helps maintain the milk’s nutritional quality and reduces the risk of bacterial growth. Alternatively, mothers can use warm running water for quicker thawing, but this method should be monitored closely to avoid overheating the milk.
Temperature Considerations
It’s also vital to consider the temperature of the refrigerator where the milk is stored. The CDC emphasizes that breast milk should be kept at a consistent, cold temperature to prevent spoilage. If the milk has been left out at room temperature, it should be used within one to two hours to ensure safety.
Conclusion
In summary, once breast milk is thawed, it can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Proper thawing techniques and adherence to storage guidelines are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of breast milk, ensuring that it remains a nutritious option for feeding infants.

Can you reheat thawed breastmilk more than once?

It’s generally fine to warm up breast milk once, maybe twice, if you really need to. While there don’t appear to be many studies on this particular situation, most experts and pediatricians agree that warming up breast milk only once is the goal.

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.

How long is frozen milk good for after thawing?

Assuming your milk was fresh when you froze it, its “freshness” should be almost the same after thawing it. Thus, most thawed milk is good for drinking and using in cooking projects for about a week after thawing. Though its appearance and consistency may be slightly different, it should still be safe to consume.

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.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

Why can’t you use thawed breast milk after 24 hours?

Sadly, breast milk must be used within 24 hours of thawing, and it can never be refrozen. The milk is high in sugar and bacteria — left out, the milk becomes a bacteria soup. It could give the baby life-threatening diarrhea.

How long can breast milk stay in the fridge after defrosted?

24 hours

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.

How to know if breast milk is spoiled?

Human breast milk can spoil just like any other kind of milk. This leads to a sharp, sour smell and flavor. There’s no way to save spoiled milk. You should be able to tell it’s spoiled by tasting a sip of it yourself.

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.