How Long Is Breast Milk Good in the Fridge?

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines

Breast milk is a precious source of nutrition for infants, and proper storage is crucial to maintaining its quality and safety. The following guidelines can help ensure that breast milk is stored and handled properly:

1. Store breast milk in clean, food-grade containers. Use glass, hard plastic, or bags specifically designed for breast milk storage.
2. Label each container with the date and time the milk was expressed to ensure that the oldest milk is used first.
3. Store breast milk in the back of the fridge, where the temperature is the coldest, rather than in the door.
4. Keep breast milk away from raw meat and eggs in the fridge to prevent contamination.
5. Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to four days at a temperature of 39°F (4°C) or lower. If you’re unsure about the temperature of your fridge, use a thermometer to check.
6. If you need to store breast milk for longer than four days, freeze it instead. Frozen breast milk can be stored for up to six months in a standard freezer, or up to 12 months in a deep freezer.
7. Never refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed.
8. Thaw frozen breast milk in the fridge or by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. Avoid using a microwave, as it can destroy some of the beneficial properties of the milk.
9. Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours, and never leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
10. Always discard any leftover breast milk that your baby doesn’t finish, as bacteria from their mouth can contaminate the remaining milk.

Factors Affecting Breast Milk Shelf Life

While breast milk can be safely stored in the fridge or freezer for certain periods of time, there are several factors that can affect its shelf life. These include:

1. Temperature: Breast milk should be stored at a temperature of 39°F (4°C) or lower in the fridge, or at 0°F (-18°C) or lower in the freezer. If the temperature is too high, the milk can spoil more quickly.
2. Cleanliness: Proper hygiene is crucial when expressing and handling breast milk. Contaminated breast milk can spoil more quickly and may be unsafe for your baby to consume.
3. The age of the milk: The longer breast milk is stored, the more likely it is to spoil. Use the oldest milk first to ensure that it is consumed before it spoils.
4. The amount of bacteria present: Breast milk naturally contains bacteria, but certain factors can increase the bacterial load and shorten its shelf life. These factors include storing milk for too long, not washing hands before expressing or handling milk, and not cleaning pump parts properly.
5. Freezing and thawing: While freezing breast milk can extend its shelf life, the process of freezing and thawing can damage some of the beneficial properties of the milk and make it spoil more quickly.
6. Exposure to light: Light can cause breast milk to break down more quickly, so it’s important to store it in a container that is opaque or has a cover.
7. Your baby’s age and health: Premature or sick infants may be more susceptible to foodborne illness, so it’s especially important to handle and store breast milk safely if your baby falls into one of these categories.

By taking these factors into account, you can help ensure that your breast milk stays fresh and safe for your baby to consume.

Signs of Spoiled Breast Milk

It’s important to be able to recognize the signs of spoiled breast milk, as consuming spoiled milk can make your baby sick. Some of the signs to look out for include:

1. Sour or rancid smell: Spoiled breast milk may have a sour or rancid smell, similar to spoiled cow’s milk.
2. Clumps or separation: Breast milk that has been sitting for a while may separate into layers, with the cream rising to the top. If the milk has clumps or curdled bits, it’s likely spoiled.
3. Discoloration: Breast milk that has a yellow or brown tint, or appears cloudy, may be spoiled.
4. Off taste: Breast milk that tastes sour or rancid may be spoiled.
5. Unusual texture: Spoiled breast milk may have a thick, slimy, or sticky texture.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the milk and not give it to your baby. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby’s health.

Tips for Safely Storing Breast Milk

Proper storage is key to ensuring that breast milk stays fresh and safe for your baby. Here are some tips to help you store breast milk safely:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before expressing or handling breast milk to prevent contamination.
2. Use clean, food-grade containers to store breast milk. Glass, hard plastic, and bags specifically designed for breast milk storage are good options.
3. Label each container with the date and time the milk was expressed so that you can use the oldest milk first.
4. Store breast milk in the back of the fridge, where the temperature is the coldest, rather than in the door.
5. Keep breast milk away from raw meat and eggs in the fridge to prevent contamination.
6. Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to four days at a temperature of 39°F (4°C) or lower. If you need to store breast milk for longer than four days, freeze it instead.
7. Frozen breast milk can be stored for up to six months in a standard freezer, or up to 12 months in a deep freezer.
8. Never refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed.
9. Thaw frozen breast milk in the fridge or by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. Avoid using a microwave, as it can destroy some of the beneficial properties of the milk.
10. Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours, and never leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
11. Always discard any leftover breast milk that your baby doesn’t finish, as bacteria from their mouth can contaminate the remaining milk.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your breast milk stays fresh and safe for your baby to consume.

Using Stored Breast Milk Safely

When it’s time to use stored breast milk, it’s important to do so safely to ensure that your baby stays healthy. Here are some tips for using stored breast milk safely:

1. Check the date: Always use the oldest milk first to ensure that it doesn’t go to waste and that your baby is consuming the freshest milk possible.
2. Inspect the milk: Check the milk for any signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell or unusual texture. If the milk appears to be spoiled, discard it.
3. Thaw the milk safely: If you’re using frozen breast milk, thaw it in the fridge or by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. Avoid using a microwave, as it can destroy some of the beneficial properties of the milk.
4. Warm the milk carefully: If you need to warm the milk before feeding it to your baby, place the container in a bowl of warm water or use a bottle warmer. Avoid heating breast milk on the stove or in the microwave, as it can create hot spots that can burn your baby’s mouth.
5. Use within 24 hours: Once breast milk has been thawed, use it within 24 hours. Never refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed.
6. Discard leftover milk: If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle of breast milk, discard the remaining milk rather than saving it for later. Bacteria from your baby’s mouth can contaminate the milk and cause it to spoil more quickly.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your baby stays healthy and receives the full nutritional benefits of your breast milk.