What to do with breast milk in the freezer when power goes out?

What to Do with Frozen Breast Milk During a Power Outage
When the power goes out, the thought of losing a freezer full of precious breast milk can be distressing for nursing parents. However, there are effective strategies to manage this situation and preserve your milk stash.
Immediate Steps to Take
First and foremost, stay calm. The key to preserving your frozen breast milk is to minimize the number of times you open the freezer door. Keeping the door closed as much as possible helps maintain the internal temperature, which can keep your milk frozen for a longer period. According to experts, a full freezer can keep its temperature for about 48 hours if left unopened, while a half-full freezer may only last about 24 hours.
Assessing the Condition of Your Milk
Once the power is restored, it’s crucial to check the condition of your stored breast milk. If you find that some of the milk has started to thaw but still contains ice crystals, it is still considered safe to use or can be refrozen. However, if the milk has completely thawed, you will need to make a decision quickly. The CDC advises that thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator, and if it reaches room temperature, it should be consumed within one to two hours .
Using Temperature Probes
For those who want to be proactive, consider investing in temperature probes that can monitor the internal temperature of your freezer without needing to open the door. This can provide peace of mind during an outage, allowing you to track the safety of your milk stash.
What to Do with Thawed Milk
If your breast milk has thawed completely, you have a couple of options. You can either use it for feeding your baby or, if it has been at room temperature for too long, it may need to be discarded. Remember, once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen.
Final Thoughts
In the event of a power outage, the best approach is to remain calm and take proactive steps to protect your frozen breast milk. By keeping the freezer closed, monitoring the condition of your milk, and knowing how to handle thawed milk, you can ensure that your hard-earned supply remains safe for your baby.

How long is thawed frozen breast milk good for?

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.

How to save frozen breast milk during power outage?

If you do lose power, try to keep the milk from thawing . Fill empty spaces in your freezer or cooler with dry ice, “blue ice,” bags of ice, or snow. Covering the cooler with towels or blankets will help keep it insulated.

What to do with breast milk if you lose power?

Store in a cool, dry place. If you are warned that power may go out, consider making or purchasing extra ice to keep expressed breast milk and food items cold. Freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep your food cold during a power outage.

How do I keep my chest freezer cold during a power outage?

Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep an 18 cubic foot, fully stocked freezer cold for two days.

How long can frozen breastmilk sit on counter?

If the milk has been previously frozen, once thawed, it can sit out at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. If thawed milk is put in the refrigerator, use within 24 hours. Do not re-freeze previously frozen breast milk. If the baby didn’t finish the bottle, discard the milk after 2 hours.

How long will breast milk stay frozen in a freezer without power?

Do I throw out my frozen breast milk? It depends on how long the power is out and how defrosted or warm the breast milk becomes. Freezers, if full and left unopened during a power outage, will keep food safe for about 48 hours. If the freezer is half full, they will keep food safe for about 24 hours.

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.

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 you put milk in freezer during power outage?

If you know ahead of time that your power may go out, freeze plastic bags full of water and use them to fill the empty spaces in the freezer. Put the frozen milk toward the center of the freezer instead of against the walls. A full freezer holds its temperature longer than one that is partially empty.

How long does milk stay good if power goes out?

4 hours
Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power or 2 hours after the temperature rises above 41 °F. At any time, discard spoiled, moldy food and anything that does not look or smell right.