breast milk?

Question

how long does breast milk last in the refrigerator once it has been pumped?

Answer 1

It is generally accepted that you can refrigerate breast milk for three to five days and freeze it for three to six months. Don't freeze milk you plan to use within three to five days because freezing destroys some of the antibodies. (However, frozen breast milk is still healthier than formula.) You can keep milk that's been frozen and thawed in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but don't refreeze it.

Breast milk contains live antibodies that kill bacteria. Since bacteria is what causes milk to spoil, the antibodies in breast milk will keep it fresh longer than formula or processed milk.

But in reality there are no absolute guidelines for breast milk storage. The many variables include the type of freezer you have and how well it works. A separate deep freezer unit will keep milk fresh longer because you generally don't open it as frequently as you do a freezer / refrigerator unit.

To help pumped milk stay fresh longer, wash your hands before pumping and make sure the pump and collection bottles are very clean. (Washing in the dishwasher or in hot soapy water usually is fine.) Refrigerate or put your milk on ice soon after pumping — it will spoil faster if you keep it at room temperature.

Answer 2

It may remain in room temperature (25c) for up to 4 hours, however, you should always store it in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as you can.

You can store breast milk in the fridge for up to 5 days in the summer time and about a week in winter. Note that breast milk must be in the back of the refrigerator where it is cooler than the front.

In the freezer, it can remain for 3-4 months. When you defrost it, use it in the following 24 fours and do it in a bowl of hot water (60c top) or under streaming hot water, but never in the microwave or you will ruin everything good about it.

Answer 3

The following research-based guidelines come from the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), and are suitable for a mother storing milk at home for a healthy, term baby.

You can store milk:
• At room temperature - not warmer than 77 degrees F/25 degrees C - for up to four hours
• In a coldbox with refreezable ice packs for up to 24 hours
• In a refrigerator with a temperature of 39 degrees F/4 degrees C or colder for three to five days
• In an older model single-door refrigerator with freezer compartment inside for two weeks.
You can store milk in a freezer for various lengths of time depending on the kind you have. Always keep the milk in the back of the freezer away from the door, because items stored towards the front are more susceptible to changing temperatures when you open the freezer.
You can store milk:
• In a fridge freezer with a separate door for each, for three months
• In a freezer with a temperature of -20°C, that doesn't have a defrost cycle, for six to 12 months.
In addition to these guidelines from ABM, it's useful to know that:
• You may combine milk you collected that day with frozen milk as long as it's chilled for at least an hour first, and the amount that you are freezing is less than half of the frozen amount. Fresh milk retains more of its protective properties than frozen milk, so whenever possible, use refrigerated rather than frozen milk for feeding your baby. But note that frozen breast milk still has more health benefits than formula milk.
• If you are going to freeze breastmilk, do so within 24 hours
• Milk that has been moved into the refrigerator from the freezer can be stored there for up to 24 hours

Answer 4

Storage Guidelines
Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool milk in refrigerator before adding to frozen milk.

Human milk can be stored

at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks
in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.
What Type of Container to Use

Refrigerated or frozen milk may be stored in:

hard-sided plastic or glass containers with well-fitting tops
freezer milk bags that are designed for storing human milk
Disposable bottle liners are not recommended.

Answer 5

According to Lansinoh, it last 8 days in a refrigerator that is 32-39 degrees F. Best to make sure what you're storing it in is sterile.

Answer 6

Three days in the refridgeator and three months in the freezer. It can only be set out for four to eight hours depending if you want to put it back in the fridge.