What happens if you refreeze breastmilk?

The Risks of Refreezing Breast Milk
Breast milk is often referred to as “liquid gold” for its rich nutritional profile and health benefits for infants. However, the question of whether it is safe to refreeze breast milk after it has been thawed is a topic of considerable concern among parents and caregivers. The consensus among experts is that refreezing thawed breast milk is generally not recommended due to several health and safety risks.
Bacterial Growth and Food Safety
One of the primary reasons for the caution against refreezing breast milk is the potential for bacterial growth. When breast milk is thawed, it can enter a temperature range known as the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria can multiply rapidly. Even if the milk feels cold to the touch, it may still harbor active bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses if the milk is refrozen and later consumed .
The thawing process activates bacteria that were previously dormant in the frozen state. If this milk is then refrozen, the bacteria are not killed; they merely enter a suspended state until the milk is thawed again. This cycle can significantly increase the risk of spoilage and food poisoning, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants.
Nutritional Degradation
In addition to safety concerns, refreezing breast milk can also lead to nutritional degradation. The process of freezing and thawing can damage the proteins and other nutrients in breast milk. Each cycle of freezing and thawing can further break down these essential components, potentially diminishing the milk’s quality and nutritional value.
Experts emphasize that while some parents may choose to refreeze breast milk despite these risks, it is crucial to weigh the potential health implications for the baby. The integrity of the milk is paramount, and repeated freezing can compromise its benefits.
Guidelines for Safe Storage
To ensure the safety and quality of breast milk, it is advisable to follow established guidelines for storage. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for six months. If breast milk has been thawed, it should ideally be used within 24 hours and should not be refrozen.
In cases where breast milk has been left out at room temperature or thawed but not used, caregivers should err on the side of caution and discard it rather than risk the health of their child.
Conclusion
In summary, while the idea of refreezing breast milk may seem convenient, the associated risks of bacterial growth and nutritional degradation make it a practice best avoided. Parents and caregivers should prioritize the health and safety of their infants by adhering to recommended storage practices and being mindful of the potential dangers of refreezing thawed breast milk.

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.

How long can frozen breast milk stay out of the freezer?

Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

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.

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 bad is it to refreeze breastmilk?

Previously-frozen milk that has been thawed can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (Lawrence & Lawrence, 2010). There is little research on the safety of refreezing human milk, but it may introduce further breakdown of nutrients and increase the risk of bacterial growth.

Can frozen milk be thawed and refrozen?

The CDC says that you can refreeze thawed milk if it contains ice crystals. However, given the factors mentioned above, if you have any concerns you can always strain the ice crystals and refreeze those, and use the thawed milk according to these milk storage guidelines (LINK).

How long is breast milk good for after thawing?

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.

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.

How to tell if frozen breast milk is bad?

The milk is likely to have a very distinctive sour smell and may even taste metallic, like soap or bitter. If it smells sour, it is very likely because of the lipase enzyme’s action on the fat content of breast milk.

Does freezing breast milk damage it?

Frozen Breast Milk Retains Most of Its Nutrients
It does lose a small amount of those qualities but can still provide a baby with the nutrition it needs. The key is to freeze and thaw breast milk in ways that preserve its nutritional value.