Life of breast milk

How much expressed milk will my baby need? Previously frozen milk may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after it has finished thawing. Do not refreeze. 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 is probably safe to refrigerate and offer within hours before it is discarded.

By following recommended storage and preparation techniques, nursing mothers and caretakers of breastfed infants and children can maintain the safety and quality of expressed breast milk for the health of the baby. These are general guidelines for storing human milk at different temperatures. Various factors milk volume, room temperature when milk is expressed, temperature fluctuations in the refrigerator and freezer, and cleanliness of the environment can affect how long human milk can be stored safely. Do you have other questions about storing breast milk, such as where to store breast milk at work, and what to do when the power goes out?

It is essential to properly store your expressed pumped milk to maximize its nutritional, immunological and antioxidant qualities. Human milk has anti-bacterial properties that help it to stay fresh and when stored per recommendations, human milk can maintain many of its nutritional qualities making it safe for use. Over time nutrients may break down in expressed milk lowering the quality and as such, it is important to try to give your baby the freshest expressed milk to ensure its rich quality. This information is based on current research and applies to mothers who have healthy, full-term babies. Preferably, human milk should be refrigerated or chilled right after it is expressed.

By Kristina Cappetta May 8, Photo: iStockphoto. Not only did you work hard to pump that liquid gold but sour milk can also make your baby sick.