Before expressing or pumping: Wash your hands and all storage containers thoroughly. Label the date the breast milk was expressed on each container and include your child's name if you are giving the milk to a child care provider. Talk with your child care provider about how they require breast milk be stored and labeled. Store breast milk in small batches. 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. It is best to use refrigerated breast milk within 4 days, but it can be refrigerated for up to 8 days.
To warm breast milk from the refrigerator: Place the bottle in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm water. Microwaving breast milk is not safe due to the risk of scalding your baby with hot milk. Freeze breast milk if you will not be using it within 24 hours. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so do not fill the milk all the way to the top of the storage container. Again store the milk in the back of the freezer, not the door. To thaw breast milk from the freezer: Put the bottle or bag in the refrigerator overnight, hold it under warm running water, or set it in a container of warm water.
Remember that heating breast milk in microwaves is not safe. Once breast milk is thawed: It can be stored in a refrigerator and must be used within 24 hours. We know breast milk storage can be confusing, so here is a more conservative approach that you can also go by and easily remember : 4 hours at room temperature and 4 days in the refrigerator!
The higher the temperature of the room, the faster the bacteria can grow. To be safe, you should ideally use room temperature breast milk within 4 hours. While some sources state that due to the antibacterial properties found in human milk, it can remain at room temperature for as long as 10 to 12 hours, which is generally not the accepted recommendation.
These guidelines, while safe for healthy, full-term babies, do not apply to premature infants or children who do not have healthy immune systems. The bacterial growth that occurs in breast milk that is left out at room temperature can be dangerous to these children, who are at a higher risk of infection. In general, breastmilk pumped for premature or hospitalized infants should be used within one hour or refrigerated.
But you should discuss the recommended storage guidelines for your situation with your child's health care providers.
In addition to following the guidelines above, keep these tips in mind:. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk. Eglash A, Simon L. Breastfeed Med. Lawrence R, Lawrence R. Elsevier; Wambach K, Riordan J. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.
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