Is frozen breast milk still nutritious?

The Nutritional Value of Frozen Breast Milk
Breast milk is often hailed as the gold standard of nutrition for infants, providing essential nutrients that support healthy growth and development. However, many parents wonder whether freezing breast milk affects its nutritional quality. The short answer is that while frozen breast milk does experience some changes, it remains a nutritious option for feeding infants.
Nutritional Changes During Freezing
Research indicates that freezing breast milk can lead to a slight decrease in certain nutrients, particularly antioxidants. A study highlighted that frozen breast milk exhibited lower antioxidant activity compared to fresh milk, although it still retained higher levels of these beneficial compounds than milk that had been refrigerated for a week. This suggests that while some nutritional aspects may diminish, the overall health benefits of frozen breast milk remain significant.
Moreover, the freezing process itself is generally safe for preserving the macronutrients and energy content of breast milk. Studies conducted in neonatal units and human milk banks show that freezing breast milk at temperatures below -20°C is effective in maintaining its nutritional integrity. The loss of nutritional quality during freezing is minimal, and the milk can still provide essential fats, proteins, and carbohydrates necessary for an infant’s development.
Practical Considerations for Parents
When it comes to storing and using frozen breast milk, there are some best practices to ensure its safety and quality. For instance, it is advisable not to mix freshly expressed milk with already frozen milk, as this can lead to uneven warming and potential bacterial growth. Instead, parents should cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with previously stored milk.
Additionally, while frozen breast milk is nutritious, it is important to adhere to storage guidelines. The CDC recommends that frozen breast milk can be stored for up to six months in a standard freezer, and up to 12 months in a deep freezer. Following these guidelines helps ensure that the milk retains its nutritional value and is safe for consumption.
Conclusion
In summary, frozen breast milk remains a nutritious option for infants, despite some minor losses in antioxidant levels. The freezing process effectively preserves the essential nutrients that contribute to a baby’s growth and health. For parents, understanding the proper storage and handling techniques can help maximize the benefits of frozen breast milk, ensuring that their little ones receive the best possible nutrition, even when fresh milk is not available.

Does freezing milk change its nutritional value?

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 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 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 breastmilk lose nutrients when frozen?

Properly stored, frozen, and defrosted breast milk will retain its nutritional value.

Does frozen breast milk still contain antibodies?

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.

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.

What’s the point of freezing breast milk?

Storing breastmilk ensures you will have the milk you need when returning to work or school or when you need to leave your baby with a caregiver for more than a few hours.

Does breastmilk lose nutrients when pumped?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), freshly expressed breast milk can be safely kept at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. Generally, when freshly pumped, breast milk is at its peak regarding nutrients.

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.

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].