What happens if I refreeze thawed breast milk?

The Risks and Considerations of Refreezing Thawed Breast Milk
Breast milk is often hailed as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, packed with essential nutrients and antibodies that support their growth and immune system. However, the handling and storage of breast milk can be a complex issue for nursing mothers, particularly when it comes to the question of refreezing thawed milk.
What Happens When You Refreeze Thawed Breast Milk?
Refreezing thawed breast milk is generally discouraged due to several factors that can compromise its quality and safety. When breast milk is thawed, it undergoes changes that can affect its nutritional properties. Specifically, the process of thawing and refreezing can damage the proteins and other beneficial components in the milk. This degradation can diminish the milk’s effectiveness in providing the necessary nutrients and immune support that infants need.
Moreover, the safety of refreezing breast milk hinges on how it was thawed. If the milk has been completely thawed and left at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be discarded to prevent the risk of bacterial growth. Bacteria can proliferate rapidly in milk that is not kept at safe temperatures, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.
When Is It Safe to Refreeze?
There are specific conditions under which refreezing thawed breast milk may be considered safe. If the milk has only partially thawed and still contains ice crystals, it can be refrozen without significant concern. This is because the milk remains at a safe temperature, which helps preserve its quality. However, once the milk is fully thawed, the clock starts ticking, and it should ideally be used within 24 hours if stored in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Impact
While refreezing partially thawed breast milk may not pose immediate health risks, it can lead to a loss of some of the milk’s live immune factors. Studies suggest that while refrozen milk may still be better for infants than formula, which lacks these antibodies, the nutritional quality may not be as high as fresh or properly stored milk.
Conclusion
In summary, while it is technically possible to refreeze thawed breast milk under certain conditions, it is not without risks. The potential for bacterial growth, along with the degradation of essential nutrients, makes it a practice that should be approached with caution. For nursing mothers, the best practice is to thaw only what is needed and to use any leftover milk promptly to ensure that their infants receive the highest quality nutrition possible.

Can old frozen breast milk make baby sick?

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.

How long is breastmilk good for after defrosting from freezer?

within 24 hours
Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

Why can’t you use thawed breast milk after 24 hours?

Bacteria can grow rapidly in thawed milk, especially if it’s kept at room temperature or if the storage conditions are not optimal. Using the milk within 24 hours minimizes the risk of bacterial growth and ensures the milk is safe for your baby.

Can you refreeze breast milk after thawing?

Once you thaw put breastmilk, you must use it. Do not refreeze it as it can ruin the milk and you might also spoil it. That goes for anything that you have frozen and then thaw out, you must use it or loose it.

What if baby drinks bad breast milk?

If your baby has had spoiled breast milk, they’ll likely let you know. They may throw up, or have an upset stomach, diarrhea or fever. It’s important to call your pediatrician if you think your baby may be sick from having spoiled breast milk.

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.

How to tell if breast milk is bad after freezing?

Do a lipase test on your stored breastmilk! The sooner you do this the better! Thaw a frozen bag of breastmilk to see if it has a soapy or metallic smell/taste. Try feeding it to your baby and see if they drink it.

Why should you not refreeze after thawing?

First of all, the quality of any food is affected when you freeze it for a second time. That’s because slow freezing introduces large ice crystals that damage the cells of the food once it’s thawed — the culprit behind “mushy” meat or fish.

What happens if you freeze milk twice?

Most people worry about the food safety of thawing and refreezing, but as long as it’s done right, it’s perfectly safe. The only risk you’ll take is ruining the taste and texture of the food.

What happens if a baby drinks spoiled breast milk?

They may throw up, or have an upset stomach, diarrhea or fever.