How long does breastmilk stay good for if you freeze it?

Question

I am 5 months along and already seem to be lactating a little. I was thinking I could just start pumping now and freeze the breastmilk til the baby is born.

Answer 1

6 months

Answer 2

The liquid you are producing at the moment is not milk and will be no use to your baby. When you go into labour a certain hormone tells your body to start producing milk which comes in a day or 2 after giving birth. Your baby drinks colostrum for the first few days.

For future ref though

It can be kept in the deep freeze (bottom of a chest freezer that isn't opened much) for up to 12 months but I wouldn't give it to my baby after that time, just doesn't seem right.

6 months in a normal chest freezer (one that is used regularly)

3 months for an upright freezer, at the back

1 month in a freezer box in the top of a fridge, at the back

5-7 days in the back of a fridge

2-3 days in the door of a fridge

24 hours in an ice bag with cool packs

1-4 hours at room temp (depends on temp of room)

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Here are the guidelines recommended by Kellymom.com. This is what I go by:
HUMAN MILK STORAGE - QUICK REFERENCE CARD
Temperature Storage Time
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
These guidelines are for milk expressed for a full-term healthy baby.
If baby is seriously ill and/or hospitalized, discuss storage guidelines with baby’s doctor.

Answer 4

The leakage you are experiencing is not full of the nutrients the baby needs. Right after the baby comes, you will have a thin milk come in. Your actual milk doesn't come in for a couple of days, usually 3-5 days after giving birth. I wouldn't suggest keeping the leakage at this time. Milk can stay in the freezer for 6+ months, depending on how well air tight it is stored.

Answer 5

I do not think its healthy for you to be pumping right now... you need to talk to a lactation consultant right away. Just because a little bit of milk is coming out, does not mean your body is "producing" milk yet. Leaking milk during pregnancy is normal, but you should not be pumping until after the baby comes!
Call your OB too and check with them!

Answer 6

Pumping while you are still pregnant will not only induce labor, but cause other serious problems. The "milk" you are seeing is not MILK. Its Colostrum and can not be frozen and used later. The other girls are right, MILK does not come in until the baby is born.

Answer 7

i heard that you shouldn't give your baby milk when you are pregnant, in other words you can't be pregnant and pump.
in a deep freezer you can keep milk for 6 months but in your regular freezer it is up to 3 months.
i personally use it within a month.
if i were you i would just relax and enjoy my pregnancy and belly because you will miss it and after the birth you will have plenty of hard work of nursing and pumping.

Answer 8

you cannot pump now, milk does not come in until the baby is born. it will stay in the freezer up to a year.

Answer 9

2 hours

Answer 10

no don't do that it will be no good just wait tell the baby is born you only have 4 more months to go remember the first time you breast feed her or him is the most important don't try to waist it
congrats to you
Toni