What to do if breastmilk is thawed but still cold?

Understanding Thawed Breast Milk
When it comes to feeding your baby, ensuring the safety and quality of breast milk is paramount. If you find yourself in a situation where breast milk has been thawed but remains cold, it’s essential to understand the best practices for handling it to avoid any potential health risks.
Safety First: The Temperature Danger Zone
Breast milk that has been thawed but is still cold may seem safe, but it’s crucial to remember that temperature plays a significant role in food safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that even if the milk feels cold to the touch, it could still be in the temperature danger zone, which ranges from 40°F to 140°F. This is a critical range where bacteria can thrive, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.
What to Do with Thawed Cold Breast Milk
1. Assess the Situation: If the breast milk has been thawed in the refrigerator and is still cold (below 40°F), it is generally safe to use within 24 hours. However, if it was thawed at room temperature or left out for an extended period, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
2. Do Not Refreeze: One of the most important rules regarding thawed breast milk is that it should not be refrozen. Once breast milk has been thawed, it can only be warmed and used once. This is to prevent any bacterial growth that could occur during the thawing process.
3. Feeding Options: If the milk is still cold, you can feed it to your baby directly without warming it. Many babies accept cold or room temperature milk without issue. However, if you prefer to warm it, do so gently using lukewarm water, taking care to avoid overheating, which can destroy some of the beneficial properties of the milk.
Conclusion: Prioritize Safety
In summary, if you find thawed breast milk that is still cold, assess how it was thawed and how long it has been out. If it’s been properly thawed in the refrigerator, it’s safe to use within a day. Always remember not to refreeze thawed milk and consider your baby’s preferences when deciding whether to warm it. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your baby receives safe and nutritious breast milk.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

Can I put thawed breast milk back 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.

Can you put breastmilk back in fridge if not finished?

The same goes for breast milk. If, after feeding your baby, you’re left with half or a quarter of a bottle, you can reuse it, but only if you’re going to do so quite soon. The CDC advises reusing leftover breast milk within two hours of the last feeding. If it’s longer than two hours, you should throw it away.

Can babies drink cold breast milk?

You can feed expressed milk straight from the fridge if your baby is happy to drink it cold. Or you can warm the milk to body temperature by putting the bottle in a jug of warm water or holding it under running warm water. Do not use a microwave to heat up or defrost breast milk.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

How long can breast milk sit out after being thawed?

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.

What happens if baby didn’t finish warmed up breast milk?

After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming it in smaller amounts.

Can I reuse breast milk baby didn’t finish?

If your baby did not finish the bottle, leftover milk should be used within 2 hours. Wash disassembled pump and feeding parts in a clean basin with soap and water. Do not wash directly in the sink because the germs in the sink could contaminate items. Rinse thoroughly under running water.

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 do you warm up breast milk after thawing?

To warm your milk, place the breast milk bottle or bag into a cup, jug or bowl of lukewarm water for a few minutes to bring it to body temperature (37 °C or 99 °F). Alternatively, use a bottle warmer. Do not allow the temperature to go above 40 °C (104 °F), and do not use a microwave, as this can overheat your milk.