It’s very important to pay attention to breast milk storage rules to avoid potential contamination. Both freezing and heating breast milk destroys some of its immune properties that kill bacteria.

 Babies are more sensitive to bacteria growth than adults because they have a delicate immune system.

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Remember the rule of 4’s when storing breast milk.

Breast milk is good for:

• 4 hours when freshly expressed

• 4 days in the back of your refrigerator

• 4 months in a regular freezer and 6-12 months in a deep freezer

Breast Milk Storage Tips

A good way to avoid wasting precious liquid gold is to store, thaw, and warm breast milk in smaller quantities.

We always recommend THESE awesome containers because they freeze your milk safely in tiny portions! (so you can thaw just the amount you need — no more wasted milk or messy bags)

Can Warmed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated Again?

 Yes, you can refrigerate warmed breast milk again as long as you make sure to use that milk within 2 hours of the first warming. 

So you have TWO HOURS once your breast milk first comes to room temperature or is warmed to feed it to your baby. 

 Any breast milk not consumed after 2 hours should be discarded, even if it was put back in the fridge.

 Refrigeration slows bacteria growth so it may be better to keep unused breast milk in the fridge instead of room temperature during that 2 hour window.

  

Can You Reheat Breast Milk?

 Yes, it’s okay to reheat breast milk but you should do so only ONCE and be sure to use up or discard the breast milk within 2 hours of the first warming.

DISCLAIMER: Do not reheat breast milk if:

• your baby is sick

• your baby is premature

• breast milk was previously frozen  

 It’s best to feed your baby breast milk that hasn’t been previously heated because heating makes breast milk lose its antibacterial properties and destroys good bacteria and nutrients.

 Did you know?

Breast milk does not have to be warmed to give to your baby!  It can be offered at room temperature or even cold!

How Long Can Warmed Breast Milk Stay Out?

Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, you must use it within 2 hours.

 After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. 

How Long Can Breast Milk Last In The Fridge?

Freshly expressed breast milk can last 4 days in the back of your fridge.

From freezer: Thaw in the fridge overnight.  Once thawed, breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Did you know?

Freshness and quality of breast milk are at their highest within one hour of being expressed. If you don’t think you’ll use milk within 4 days, freeze as soon as possible after pumping to preserve the quality of the milk. 

Tip:

Don’t store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. Store in the back if possible

Can You Freeze Refrigerated Breast Milk?

Yes, you can freeze refrigerated breast milk if it’s within the 4 day window of being in the fridge.

Can You Refreeze Breast Milk?

No, you should never refreeze breast milk after it is thawed. You must use it within 24 hours of when it has fully thawed.  If the breast milk is not thawed and still has ice crystals you may refreeze it.

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Related Post: 12 Things You Can Do With Leftover Breast Milk