What to do with frozen breastmilk when power goes out?

What to Do with Frozen Breast Milk When the Power Goes Out
Power outages can be a source of anxiety for parents who have invested time and effort into building a stash of frozen breast milk. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your precious supply during such emergencies.
Understanding the Timeframe
When the power goes out, the first thing to remember is that frozen breast milk can remain safe for consumption for up to four hours if the freezer door remains closed. This is crucial because keeping the door shut minimizes the warm air entering the freezer, allowing the milk to stay frozen longer.
Maximizing Freezer Efficiency
To enhance the chances of preserving your frozen breast milk, it’s advisable to keep your freezer as full as possible. A full freezer retains cold temperatures better than an empty one. If you anticipate a power outage, consider filling empty spaces with containers of water. These will freeze and act as additional ice, helping to maintain a lower temperature.
Minimizing Door Openings
During a power outage, it’s essential to open the freezer as little as possible. Each time the door is opened, cold air escapes, which can significantly reduce the time your milk stays frozen. If you need to check on the milk, do so quickly and avoid prolonged exposure to warmer air.
What to Do After the Power Returns
Once the power is restored, assess the condition of your breast milk. If the milk has thawed but is still cold (below 40°F or 4°C), it can be safely used within 24 to 48 hours. However, it’s important to note that thawed breast milk should never be refrozen. If the milk has been at room temperature for more than two hours, it’s best to discard it to ensure your baby’s safety.
In Case of Extended Outages
If you find yourself facing an extended power outage, consider alternative storage options. If you have access to dry ice, it can be used to keep your breast milk frozen for a longer period. However, handle dry ice with care, using gloves to avoid skin burns.
Final Thoughts
While a power outage can be stressful, knowing how to manage your frozen breast milk can alleviate some of that anxiety. By keeping the freezer door closed, maximizing the cold storage, and understanding the safe timeframes for thawed milk, you can protect your hard-earned supply and ensure your baby continues to receive the best nutrition possible.

How long does it take for milk to spoil when power goes out?

4 hours
Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out. As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage.

How do you leave the house with frozen breast milk?

Breast milk storage on the go. If you have to transport your milk between work and home or daycare, use a cooler bag with ice packs.

How long will breast milk stay frozen with ice packs?

If you deliver breast milk to a childcare provider, clearly label the container with the child’s name. Talk to your childcare provider about any other requirements for labeling and storing breast milk. Breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when traveling.

How to keep frozen breast milk frozen while traveling?

Tips for Transporting Breast Milk on a Flight

• When freezing your milk, lie it down flat in the freezer.
• Purchase a cooler that has a leakproof zipper and closed-cell rubber foam lining to ensure milk will stay cold.
• Pack the cooler with one reusable ice block on the bottom and one on the top.

How long does milk last in freezer without power?

approximately 48 hours
A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, however, its quality may suffer. Never taste food to determine its safety.

How to keep frozen food frozen while travelling?

How Do You Keep Frozen Food Frozen While Traveling?

1. Pre-freeze Your Food Beforehand. Frozen foods stay that way as long as they are frozen before travelling.
2. High-Quality Cooler.
3. Cooler Bag.
4. Pre-chill Your Cooler.
5. Ice Packs.
6. Wrap it in Aluminium Foil.

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

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.

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 breastmilk stay frozen in a power outage?

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. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is left unopened.

How long can frozen breast milk stay out once thawed?

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.