What happens if you refreeze thawed breastmilk?

The Risks of Refreezing Thawed Breast Milk
Breast milk is a precious resource for nursing mothers, providing essential nutrients and antibodies to infants. However, the handling and storage of breast milk require careful attention to safety protocols, particularly when it comes to thawing and refreezing. The question of whether it is safe to refreeze thawed breast milk is a common concern among parents, and the answer is a resounding no.
Understanding the Thawing Process
When breast milk is frozen, it remains safe for consumption. However, once it is thawed, the dynamics change significantly. Thawing activates bacteria that may have been dormant in the frozen state. As the milk warms, these bacteria can multiply rapidly, especially if the milk is left at room temperature or in the “danger zone” of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C). This bacterial growth poses a risk of foodborne illness, which can be particularly dangerous for infants whose immune systems are still developing.
The Dangers of Refreezing
Refreezing thawed breast milk does not eliminate the risk of bacterial contamination. While freezing can halt the growth of bacteria, it does not kill them. If breast milk is refrozen after being thawed, any active bacteria present will remain, and the freezing process will only temporarily stop their growth. This means that when the milk is thawed again, the bacteria can become active once more, increasing the risk of spoilage and potential illness.
Moreover, the quality of the breast milk can deteriorate with each freeze-thaw cycle. Nutritional components, such as antibodies and vitamins, may be compromised, reducing the milk’s effectiveness as a source of nutrition for the baby.
Best Practices for Handling Thawed Breast Milk
To ensure the safety and quality of breast milk, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines:
– Use Within a Set Time Frame: Once thawed, breast milk should be used within 24 hours if stored in the refrigerator. If it has been warmed to room temperature, it should be consumed within 5 to 8 hours.
– Avoid Refreezing: Once breast milk has been thawed, it should not be refrozen. This practice is not only unsafe but also diminishes the nutritional value of the milk.
– Store in Smaller Portions: To minimize waste, consider thawing smaller amounts of breast milk that can be consumed in one feeding.
Conclusion
In summary, while the convenience of refreezing thawed breast milk may seem appealing, the associated risks far outweigh the benefits. The potential for bacterial growth and the degradation of nutritional quality make it imperative for parents to adhere to safe handling practices. By following these guidelines, caregivers can ensure that their infants receive the safest and most nutritious breast milk possible.

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.

Can thawed milk go back in fridge?

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.

Can you freeze breast milk after unfreezing?

If you’re thawing frozen breast milk, follow these guidelines for how long the milk can be safely used. Remember: Thawed breast milk cannot be re-frozen.

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 refreeze thawed breast milk?

• Refreezing breast milk that has been previously thawed can alter the composition and quality of the milk.
• Furthermore, refreezing breast milk can also increase the risk of bacterial growth and contamination, as the process of thawing and refreezing can create an environment that is favorable for bacterial growth.

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 is it bad to refreeze after thawing?

You can safely refreeze frozen food that has thawed—raw or cooked, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. To safely refreeze, the thawed product must have been kept cold at 40 degrees or below for no more than 3-4 days.

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 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 freeze breast milk more than once?

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.