How many times can you freeze and thaw breast milk?

Understanding Freezing and Thawing Breast Milk
Breast milk is a precious resource for nursing mothers, and knowing how to properly freeze and thaw it is essential for maintaining its nutritional quality and safety. The guidelines surrounding the freezing and thawing of breast milk are clear, yet often misunderstood.
Freezing Breast Milk: Guidelines and Duration
Breast milk can be safely frozen for extended periods, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending that it be used within six months for optimal quality. However, it can remain safe for consumption for up to 12 months if stored at 0°F or colder. This long shelf life allows mothers to stockpile milk for times when they may be away from their babies or need a backup supply.
Thawing Breast Milk: The Do’s and Don’ts
When it comes to thawing breast milk, the process is just as critical as freezing. Once breast milk has been thawed, it should not be refrozen. This is a key point emphasized by health experts, as refreezing can compromise the milk’s quality and safety. After thawing, breast milk should be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator.
The Cycle of Freezing and Thawing
The question of how many times breast milk can be frozen and thawed is straightforward: breast milk should only be frozen once. Each time breast milk is thawed, it should be consumed or discarded within the specified time frame. If a baby does not finish a bottle of thawed breast milk, any remaining milk should be consumed within two hours.
Conclusion: Best Practices for Breast Milk Storage
In summary, while breast milk can be frozen for up to a year, it is crucial to adhere to the guidelines of thawing and not refreezing. By following these practices, mothers can ensure that their babies receive the best possible nutrition from their breast milk, even when they are not able to nurse directly.

Can you freeze breast milk multiple times?

More research is needed on whether previously frozen milk that’s been thawed can be frozen again and safely used. However, many experts recommend discarding thawed milk that isn’t used within 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.

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.

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.

Can you freeze breast milk from different pumping sessions?

Chill fresh milk before combining with refrigerated milk.
It’s safe to blend together milk from different pumping sessions—for instance, to create a single 3-ounce frozen bag from three 1-ounce portions. Just make sure to chill the fresh milk for a few hours before adding it to what’s already in the refrigerator.

Why is it bad to refreeze thawed breastmilk?

Previously-frozen milk that has been thawed can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (Lawrence & Lawrence, 2010). There is little research on the safety of refreezing human milk, but it may introduce further breakdown of nutrients and increase the risk of bacterial growth.

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 babies drink cold breast milk?

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

Can you refreeze milk after it’s been defrosted?

It’s not advisable to refreeze fully thawed milk. It would be different if there were some ice crystals left but I wouldn’t freeze milk twice.

What happens if breast milk is thawed and refrozen?

There is little research on the safety of refreezing human milk, but it may introduce further breakdown of nutrients and increase the risk of bacterial growth. At this time, the accepted practice is not to refreeze thawed milk.