Is it okay to mix warm breast milk with cold breastmilk?

Mixing Warm and Cold Breast Milk: What You Need to Know
The question of whether it is safe to mix warm breast milk with cold breast milk has sparked considerable debate among breastfeeding mothers and health professionals alike. While the desire to simplify feeding routines is understandable, the guidelines surrounding this practice are rooted in safety concerns.
The Risks of Mixing Temperatures
Health authorities, including the CDC, advise against combining freshly expressed warm breast milk with already chilled milk. The primary reason for this caution is the potential for bacterial growth. When warm milk is added to cold milk, it raises the temperature of the cold milk, creating an environment conducive to bacteria proliferation . This is particularly concerning because breast milk, while rich in nutrients, can also be a medium for bacteria if not handled properly.
Guidelines for Safe Mixing
To mitigate these risks, it is recommended that freshly pumped breast milk be cooled to refrigerator temperature before being combined with previously stored milk . This practice ensures that the temperature of the combined milk remains safe, preventing the rewarming of the older milk, which could compromise its quality and safety.
Interestingly, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a mother intends to use the milk immediately after pumping, it may be acceptable to top off a bottle with cold milk without cooling the freshly expressed milk first. However, this should be done with caution and is not the standard recommendation for long-term storage.
Recent Changes in Guidelines
In a notable shift, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated its guidelines, allowing for more flexibility in mixing breast milk. This change has been met with enthusiasm from many mothers who appreciate the newfound leeway in managing their milk supplies. Nevertheless, the fundamental advice regarding temperature mixing remains a critical point of consideration.
Conclusion
In summary, while the desire to mix warm and cold breast milk is understandable, it is essential to prioritize safety. The best practice is to cool freshly expressed milk before combining it with chilled milk to prevent any risk of bacterial growth. As always, mothers should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice tailored to their specific situations.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

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

Can I mix fresh breast milk with cold formula?

First, temperature: It’s safe to serve mixed breast milk and formula cold, “but some babies don’t like it that way,” says Kendall-Tackett. If baby balks at cold milk, you might need to warm their bottle. Set the prepared bottle in a container of warm water or use a bottle warmer for several minutes.

How many times can you warm and cool breast milk?

Breast milk that has been refrigerated or frozen can only be heated once. Never reheat breast milk as this accumulates bacteria the more it is exposed to warmer temperatures. Breast milk that has been heated or brought to room temperature needs to be consumed within 2 hours.

Can you mix two different temperatures of breast milk?

“Mothers can mix warm milk and cold, or even consider pooling milk from 24 hours together, which may help even out variability in nutrients due to pumping time or breast emptying (which influences fat content of the milk).”

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 long is breast milk OK for once warmed?

Start counting the 24 hours when the breast milk is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer. Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.

Can I mix cold breastmilk with warm breastmilk?

It’s completely fine to add warm to cold breast milk. You’re not going to sit there and put a whole bunch of little one oz if that’s all you pump and wait till it gets refrigerated and separated before you mix them together. Then you won’t get the full fat that goes to the top every time.

Can you mix refrigerated breast milk from different days?

Can I add freshly expressed breast milk to already stored milk? You can add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk. However, thoroughly cool the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.

Why is mixed feeding not recommended?

If your mixed feeding involves exchanging some breastfeeds for baby formula, then your baby will not receive as many benefits as they normally would if they were exclusively breastfed. As such, their immune system may not be as well protected from certain infections1.

Can I mix morning and evening breast milk?

If you pump or hand express your breast milk at different times, you wonder if you can mix breast milk from different days into one storage container. Most of the time, combining breast milk is acceptable unless you have a preterm baby or you’re in an unclean environment.