Is it okay if breast milk separates in the fridge?

Understanding Breast Milk Separation in the Fridge
For many new parents, the sight of separated breast milk in the refrigerator can be a cause for concern. However, it’s important to understand that this phenomenon is not only common but also completely normal.
What Causes Separation?
Breast milk is a complex fluid that contains a mixture of water, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. When stored in the fridge, the fat content can rise to the top, creating a distinct separation between the creamy layer and the more liquid portion below. This separation occurs due to the natural properties of breast milk, where the fat globules tend to float, especially if the milk has been sitting undisturbed for a while.
Is It Safe?
The good news for parents is that separated breast milk is generally safe for consumption. According to experts, as long as the milk has been stored properly—ideally in a clean container at a consistent refrigerator temperature of around 40°F—it’s perfectly fine to feed to your baby. The separation does not indicate spoilage; rather, it reflects the natural composition of the milk.
What Should You Do?
If you encounter separated breast milk, simply give the container a gentle swirl or shake to mix the layers back together before feeding it to your baby. It’s crucial, however, to avoid vigorous shaking, as this can create bubbles and may alter the milk’s texture.
Storage Tips
To minimize separation and maintain the quality of breast milk, it’s advisable to store it in the back of the fridge rather than in the door, where temperatures can fluctuate due to frequent opening and closing. Additionally, breast milk can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and freezing is an option for longer storage.
In summary, while the sight of separated breast milk might initially raise alarms, it is a normal occurrence that does not compromise the milk’s safety or nutritional value. Understanding this can help ease the worries of breastfeeding parents and ensure that they feel confident in their milk storage practices.

Can you use breast milk that has separated?

Defrosting frozen breast milk
Once it’s defrosted, give it a gentle shake if it has separated. Use it straight away.

Why is my milk separating in the fridge?

If the milk is not properly stored at the correct temperature, it can curdle before its use-by date. The warmest spot in your fridge is typically the refrigerator door, so storing milk there can lead to temperature fluctuations and curdling (2).

Why does my refrigerated breast milk look curdled?

The “curdled” part is likely just fat separated, which happens to all breastmilk when chilled. Just gently swirl it in the bottle for like 30 seconds until all the fat mixes back in. The smell is what may be concerning. A metallic, soapy, or sweet smell is normal, but a very sour smell is not.

Is it OK if milk separates?

So no, it’s not safe to drink curdled milk if you took it out of the fridge and it smelled deeply sour. But if you put fresh milk into your coffee and it curdled slightly, there are no health risks to drinking it (although you might want to look into coffee with less acidity).

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.

Does breast milk split in the fridge?

In fact, it may even split into a creamy layer and a waterier layer. If this happens, don’t worry, all you need to do is gently shake the breast milk storage bottle or container to mix it all back up.

How do you know if breast milk is bad in the fridge?

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.

Can you refrigerate breastmilk twice?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

Is it normal for refrigerated breast milk to separate?

When breastmilk is refrigerated it is completely normal for the Fat of the breastmilk to separate. Sometimes it will rise the top bottle and other times it can look like pieces floating in the milk. This is all a normal process! Think about salad dressing… the oil always rises to the top (oil is fat)

Is milk bad if it separates?

If your milk is very old and has started to curdle, become slimy, or grow mold, it’s best to throw it out. Yet, if it’s just a little off and slightly acidic, there are several ways to use it.