How long can I keep breastmilk in the freezer?

Understanding Breast Milk Storage in the Freezer
When it comes to storing breast milk, understanding the guidelines for freezing is crucial for ensuring the safety and quality of the milk for your baby. Breast milk can be a lifeline for nursing mothers, providing essential nutrients and antibodies, but proper storage is key to maintaining its integrity.
Freezing Duration
Breast milk can be safely stored in a standard freezer for up to six months. However, if you have access to a deep freezer that maintains a consistent temperature of -18 °C (0 °F), you can extend that storage time to 12 months. It’s important to note that the quality of the milk may begin to decline after the six-month mark, even if it remains safe to consume.
Storage Conditions
To maximize the shelf life of frozen breast milk, it should be stored in clean, BPA-free containers or breast milk storage bags designed specifically for freezing. It’s advisable to label each container with the date of expression to keep track of how long the milk has been stored. Additionally, placing the milk in the back of the freezer, where temperatures are most stable, can help maintain its quality.
Thawing and Usage Guidelines
Once you decide to use the frozen breast milk, proper thawing is essential. The safest method is to transfer the milk to the refrigerator, where it can thaw gradually over several hours or overnight. Once thawed, breast milk should be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator. If you choose to warm the milk, it must be consumed within two hours. Importantly, never refreeze thawed breast milk, as this can compromise its safety and nutritional value.
Signs of Spoilage
Mothers should also be aware of the signs that breast milk may have gone bad. While fresh breast milk has a sweet smell, spoiled milk may have a sour odor. If there is any doubt about the milk’s safety, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
In summary, with proper storage techniques, breast milk can be a reliable source of nutrition for your baby, even when frozen. By adhering to these guidelines, mothers can ensure that their expressed milk remains safe and nutritious for their little ones.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for breast milk?

The ‘Rule of Three’ guideline suggests allowing the baby to nurse for at least three minutes on each breast to ensure they receive a balance of foremilk (initial, thirst-quenching milk) and hindmilk (higher-fat, calorie-rich milk).

Can I use 2 year old frozen breastmilk?

Breast milk can be stored at 0° F or colder for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best.

How long is breastmilk good for in the freezer?

Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.

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.

What is the 6 6 6 rule for breast milk?

Rule #2: The Breast Milk Storage Guidelines.
Or the 6-6-6 rule. Basically, breast milk is good at room temperature for 4 or 6 hours, in the refrigerator for 4 or 6 days, and in the freezer for 4 or 6 or 12 months.

How to tell when frozen breast milk is bad?

Digestive enzymes and other components of breastmilk remain active even when milk is expressed or pumped. Expressed human milk may undergo odor changes when stored. Parents sometimes describe expressed or defrosted milk as smelling odd – metallic, soapy, or even rancid.

Can I use 10 month old frozen breast milk?

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that deeply frozen (below 0 degrees) breast milk can be kept for three to six months, while the Human Milk Banking Association of North America says that it can be safely stored for upwards of a year, though it counsels that around three months is ideal.

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 frozen breastmilk after 6 months?

Keep in mind that research suggests that the longer you store breast milk — whether in the refrigerator or in the freezer — the greater the loss of vitamin C in the milk. It’s also important to note that your breast milk changes to meet your baby’s needs.

How can you tell if frozen breast milk has gone bad?

Digestive enzymes and other components of breastmilk remain active even when milk is expressed or pumped. Expressed human milk may undergo odor changes when stored. Parents sometimes describe expressed or defrosted milk as smelling odd – metallic, soapy, or even rancid.