can breast milk be frozen?

Question

I'm only 7 mos pregnant, but putting out more than I ever got with my first child - can I freeze it for a couple months, or does that wreck it? thanks!

Answer 1

You can freeze breast milk:
Fresh breast milk can be kept at room temperature up to 10 hours, and refrigerated up to 1 week. Frozen milk can be kept in a freezer compartment inside the refrigerator for 2 weeks; in a separate door refrigerator/freezer up to 3 or 4 months; and in a deep freezer at constant 0 degrees for 6 months. Frozen and thawed milk can be refrigerated for up to 9 hours, but it should not be refrozen.

Plastic containers are the best for storing breast milk. For freezing, use small (2 or 3 ounce) containers to avoid the waste of unused portions at the end of the day.

Refrigerated milk and frozen milk should be warmed under a stream of warm tap water. Never microwave breast milk -- overheating destroys valuable nutrients and "hot spots" can scald your baby.

Answer 2

Once you have frozen and thawed breastmilk and put it in the refrigerator, we usually say that 24 hours is the limit. Once it is frozen and thawed, you really shouldn't leave it at room temperature except for as long as it takes to feed the baby.

The process of freezing and thawing diminishes some of the protective effects of milk in terms of bacterial contamination. One example is that freezing and thawing destroys the living cells in human milk, which are part of the protective mechanism. Fresh-pumped milk in a clean, covered container, however, will stay OK for six to eight hours. So, someone who has no refrigerator at work can take the milk home at the end of the day and feed the baby immediately, or put it in the freezer. It is fine to put this milk into the freezer as long as it is in a clean container. Part of this has to do with the fat enzymes.

At room temperature the fat is broken down to triglycerides which change the PH and can make the milk sour if it sits around longer. This is different from the problem of bacteria contamination. Actually, the bacteria will be less in number at eight hours than they were at the time of pumping because of the protective qualities in the milk. They suppress bacterial growth. On the other hand, the enzymes get going and six to eight hours is about the limit of how much activity you want to let loose. At this time, bacterial counts also start to rise.

Answer 3

Freshly expressed milk
Warm room 79°F / 25°C 4-6 hours
Room temperature 66-72°F / 19-22°C 10 hours
Insulated cooler / icepacks 60°F / 15°C 24 hours

Refrigerated Milk (Store at back, away from door)
Refrigerator (fresh milk) 32-39°F / 0-4°C 8 days
Refrigerator (thawed milk) 32-39°F / 0-4°C 24 hours

Frozen Milk (Do not refreeze! Store at back, away from door/sides)
Freezer compartment
inside refrigerator (older-style) Varies 2 weeks
Self-contained freezer unit
of a refrigerator/freezer Varies 3-6 months
Separate deep freeze 0°F / 19°C 6-12 months

To avoid waste and for easier thawing & warming, store milk in 1-4 ounce portions. Date milk before storing. Milk from different pumping sessions/days may be combined in one container – use the date of the first milk expressed.

Breastmilk is not spoiled unless it smells really bad or tastes sour.

To thaw milk

Thaw slowly in the refrigerator (this takes about 12 hours – try putting it in the fridge the night before you need it). Avoid letting milk sit out at room temperature to thaw.
For quicker thawing, hold container under running water - start cool and gradually increase temperature.
Previously frozen milk may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after it has finished thawing. Do not refreeze.

To warm milk

Heat water in a cup or other small container, then place frozen milk in the water to warm; or
Use a bottle warmer.
NEVER microwave human milk or heat it directly on the stove.
The cream will rise to the top of the milk during storage. Gently swirl milk (do not shake) to mix before checking temperature and offering to baby.

If baby does not finish milk at one feeding, it may be refrigerated and offered at the next feeding before it is discarded.

YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW:
You are still PG? What does your caregiver say about expressing milk now? Pumping could cause you to have contractions. Pumping colostrum is usually not very easy either since it is so thick and sticky.

Answer 4

Yes you can freeze breastmilk but if you are 7 months pregnant you aren't producing actual breast milk you are producing colustrum.(it's what the baby gets at first) DO NOT pump when pregnant it can cause contractions. It's a bit too early to be having that baby so just wear nursing pad & be patient. I guess if you are nursing your other child then it's possible but not reccomended to pump or express milk while pg.

Answer 5

Freezer - 2months
Deep freeze - 6 months(or more).

My baby doesn't like thawed milk as much. It also kills some antibodies and whatnot in the milk.

Answer 6

frozen milk is fine. Both of my kids made due on frozen when I had to be away. Check out One Step Ahead's line of products for milk storage! They are awesome!

Answer 7

Yes you can just check with your doctor to be sure...I was told when I was breast feeding and my daughter was in the NICU that I could freeze it and bring it to the hospital. So I think so just have to ask the doc.

Answer 8

yes you can, I had a son in the hospital for 2 weeks after he was born and I couldnt nurse him yet, so the hospital had me pump and put it all in the freezer instead of letting it go to waste.

Answer 9

yes it can be for up to 8 days

Answer 10

I know it can be frozen, but I am not sure for how long....I bet if you contact your local La Leche League, they would be able to tell you for sure.