What happens if you use thawed breast milk after 24 hours?

Understanding the 24-Hour Rule for Thawed Breast Milk
When it comes to feeding infants, especially those relying on breast milk, safety and nutrition are paramount. One common question among parents is what happens if thawed breast milk is used after the recommended 24-hour period. The guidelines surrounding breast milk storage are not arbitrary; they are based on scientific understanding of food safety and infant health.
The Science Behind the 24-Hour Rule
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), once breast milk has been thawed in the refrigerator, it should be used within 24 hours or discarded. This guideline is rooted in the need to prevent bacterial growth that can occur in milk that has been thawed and is no longer frozen. The risk of spoilage increases significantly after this period, as the milk is no longer at a safe temperature for extended storage.
The rationale for this timeframe is straightforward: thawed breast milk can harbor bacteria that multiply when the milk is kept at temperatures above freezing. While fresh breast milk can last up to four days in the refrigerator, thawed milk is treated differently due to its previous frozen state and the potential for bacterial contamination.
What Happens After 24 Hours?
If thawed breast milk is not used within the 24-hour window, it is generally advised to discard it. While some parents may be tempted to use their senses—like smelling the milk—to determine its safety, this is not a reliable method. Bacteria can proliferate without altering the milk’s smell or appearance. Experts emphasize that even if the milk appears fine, it may still pose a risk to the infant’s health if consumed after the recommended period.
Nutritional Considerations
Beyond safety, the nutritional quality of breast milk can also degrade over time. The freezing and thawing process can affect the milk’s beneficial properties, including its antibodies and nutrients. While some parents may find that their babies are willing to drink milk that has been thawed for longer than 24 hours, the potential health risks outweigh the benefits of using milk that has surpassed this guideline.
Conclusion
In summary, using thawed breast milk after 24 hours is not recommended due to the increased risk of bacterial growth and potential health hazards for infants. Parents are encouraged to adhere to the 24-hour rule to ensure their babies receive the safest and most nutritious feeding possible. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and discard any thawed milk that has exceeded this timeframe.

How long after drinking spoiled milk will a baby get sick?

Someone might start to feel sick within an hour or two of eating or drinking contaminated food or liquid. Other times, symptoms may not appear for a number of weeks.

How to tell if thawed 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.

What happens if a baby drinks breast milk that sat out too long?

“One of the risks of breastmilk left out too long is growth of bacteria, which can’t be detected on visual inspection.” There isn’t a specific appearance, for example, or color of milk that denotes it’s “bad.” But milk that’s left out too long can result in vomiting or diarrhea in your baby, Dr.

Can you put unfreezed breast milk in the fridge?

If your breast milk has completely thawed but still feels cold, put it in the refrigerator and use it within the next day or throw it away.

How long can breast milk sit out after thawing?

If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours. 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.

Does thawed breast milk go bad after 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.

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.

What happens if baby drinks leftover breast milk?

The Risks of a Leftover Bottle of Breast Milk
If you reuse the milk from the bottle later, you risk introducing significantly more bacteria to your baby. The longer the used bottle sits, the more the bacteria grow.

What happens if a baby drinks spoiled breast milk?

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

How long is breastmilk good after taking out of fridge?

Freshly expressed milk can remain at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 4 hours, or up 6 to 8 hours if very cleanly expressed; however, it is best to chill as soon as possible.