When should I throw out refrigerated breast milk?

Understanding Breast Milk Storage Guidelines
Breast milk is a precious resource for nourishing infants, but knowing when to discard it can be a source of confusion for many parents. Proper storage and handling are crucial to ensure the milk remains safe and nutritious for your baby. Here’s a detailed look at when you should throw out refrigerated breast milk.
General Storage Guidelines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you find that the milk has been in the fridge longer than this, it’s best to discard it to avoid any risk of spoilage.
Warming and Reusing Breast Milk
If you’ve warmed breast milk but your baby didn’t finish the bottle, you might wonder whether it’s safe to save the leftover milk for later. The CDC advises that breast milk that has been warmed should be used within two hours. After this time, any remaining milk should be thrown out to prevent bacterial growth.
In cases where breast milk has been warmed and then refrigerated, it should not be reused. Once breast milk has been warmed, it should not be refrigerated again, as this can compromise its safety.
Thawed Breast Milk
For breast milk that has been thawed, the guidelines are slightly different. Thawed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After this period, any unused milk should be discarded. It’s important to note that thawed breast milk should never be refrozen.
Signs of Spoilage
Always check for signs of spoilage before using stored breast milk. If the milk smells sour or has an unusual appearance, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it out. Fresh breast milk typically has a sweet smell, and any deviation from this could indicate spoilage.
Conclusion
In summary, to ensure the safety and quality of breast milk, adhere to the following guidelines: discard refrigerated breast milk after four days, use warmed milk within two hours, and throw out thawed milk after 24 hours. By following these recommendations, you can provide your baby with the best nutrition while minimizing the risk of foodborne illness.

How long is breast milk good in the fridge if power goes out?

4 days
For prolonged power outages, at some point you will need to transfer stock to a cooler. Remember the Rule of 4’s: 4 hours at room temperature and 4 days in the refrigerator.

At what temperature is breast milk ruined?

104F
Once breast milk is warmed to temperatures higher than 104F/40 C (for perspective, 104F is what most of us would describe as warm, and is the normal limit for hot tubs), breast milk’s nutritional and immunological value begins to deteriorate.

How long is refrigerated breast milk good for?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of the refrigerator for up to four days in clean conditions. However, it’s optimal to use or freeze the milk within three days. Deep freezer. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of a deep freezer for up to 12 months.

How will I know if breast milk is spoiled?

Human breast milk can spoil just like any other kind of milk. This leads to a sharp, sour smell and flavor. There’s no way to save spoiled milk. You should be able to tell it’s spoiled by tasting a sip of it yourself.

Can I take breast milk out of the fridge and put it back?

Don’t put leftover breast milk back in the fridge to use later or refreeze it. It’s important to follow safety guidelines for breast milk because bacteria can grow in it if you leave it out for too long.

What happens if a baby drinks spoiled breast milk?

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

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.

Can I put breast milk back in the fridge after baby drinks from it?

Any remaining breast milk left in a bottle after your baby is finished with a feeding should be used within 2 hours—or, if quickly refrigerated, used for the next feeding. You can always thaw an extra container if needed. Refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.

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 babies drink cold breast milk?

Breast milk does not need to be warmed. It can be served room temperature or cold.