Is it okay to put breast milk back in the fridge after warming?

Understanding the Safety of Re-refrigerating Warmed Breast Milk
The question of whether it is safe to put breast milk back in the fridge after it has been warmed is one that many parents grapple with. The guidelines surrounding breast milk storage are crucial for ensuring the health and safety of infants, and they can sometimes be confusing.
General Guidelines on Breast Milk Storage
When breast milk is warmed, it undergoes changes that can affect its safety. According to health experts, once breast milk has been warmed, it should ideally be used within two hours if it has been taken out of the fridge. If the milk has not been consumed within this timeframe, it is generally recommended to discard it to prevent any risk of bacterial growth.
However, there are some nuances to consider. If the warmed breast milk has not been touched by the baby, some sources suggest that it can be safely returned to the fridge for up to four hours . This means that if a parent warms a bottle of breast milk but the baby does not drink from it, they have a little more leeway in terms of storage.
The Risks of Re-refrigerating
Despite the allowance for re-refrigeration under certain conditions, many experts caution against this practice. The primary concern is the potential for bacterial contamination. Once breast milk is warmed, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if it is left at room temperature for too long. Therefore, while some parents may choose to return warmed milk to the fridge, it is essential to be aware of the risks involved.
Best Practices for Parents
To ensure the safety of breast milk, parents should adhere to the following best practices:
1. Use Within Two Hours:Can You Put Breast Milk Back in the Fridge After Warming?
The short answer is no, you should not put breast milk back in the fridge after it has been warmed. According to the information gathered from various reputable sources, once breast milk has been warmed, it should be used within a few hours and should not be refrigerated again.
Reasons why you should not put warmed breast milk back in the fridge:
– Warming breast milk can cause bacterial growth, which can make the milk unsafe for your baby to consume if left at room temperature for too long.
– The process of warming and then cooling the milk again can damage the nutrients and antibodies in the breast milk, reducing its quality and benefits for your baby.
– Breast milk that has been warmed and left at room temperature for more than 2-4 hours should be discarded, as it is no longer considered safe to use.
Guidelines for safely storing and using warmed breast milk:
– If you have warmed breast milk but your baby did not finish the entire bottle, you should discard the remaining milk. Do not put it back in the fridge.
– Breast milk that has been warmed but not used should be used within 2 hours. If it will not be used within that time frame, it should be discarded.
– If you have expressed breast milk that is still in the refrigerator or freezer, you can warm it up when needed, but do not put the warmed milk back in the fridge.
In summary, the safest practice is to only warm the amount of breast milk that your baby will consume in one feeding session, and to discard any leftover warmed milk rather than putting it back in the fridge. This helps ensure the milk remains fresh and nutritious for your baby.

Can warmed whole milk be refrigerated again?

Whatever bacteria grew while it warmed up will still be there, and will continue to grow. Refrigeration only slows down the multiplication of bacteria.

Can I rewarm breast milk twice?

When it come to heating up breast milk, it’s generally recommended that you only reheat breast milk once, maybe twice. The reasoning for this is that each time you heat and cool the milk, it can potentially degrade the quality and nutritional value.

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.

Can you put breast milk that’s been sitting out back in the fridge?

And remember, freshly pumped milk that has been left unrefrigerated for longer than four hours should be thrown away, regardless of whether it’s been used in a feeding or not. Previously frozen milk should be used within 24 hours once thawed and refrigerated. If left on the counter, throw out after 2 hours.

Can you warm milk more than once?

Reheating milk more than once can increase the risk of bacteria growth and impact its nutritional value.

Can you put breastmilk back in the fridge after warming?

You cannot refrigerate it again once it warms– it doesn’t matter the method. Increased temperature gives bacteria a chance to multiply. The time limits are generally what is thought to be of as safe levels.

Can you reheat breast milk twice according to the CDC?

Never refreeze or reheat breast milk that’s been thawed, the CDC notes. If you’re not feeding baby immediately, keep defrosted breast milk in the fridge. If you thawed it at room temperature, the milk is good for up to two hours (after that, throw it out).

Can I put breast milk back in the fridge after baby drinks from it?

Any remaining breast milk left in a bottle after your baby is finished with a feeding should be used within 2 hours—or, if quickly refrigerated, used for the next feeding. You can always thaw an extra container if needed. Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.

How long can breast milk stay out of fridge after warming?

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. Never refreeze breast milk after it has thawed.

Can you put baby milk back in fridge after warming?

If it’s been warmed up, just toss it. Warmed up milk cannot go back into the fridge.