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!
Editor's Note: Although these breast milk storage guidelines are appropriate for babies born premature and those who are hospitalized, hospitals may have their own rules. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months.
When you add solid foods to your baby's diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. You can continue to breastfeed after 12 months if you and your baby desire. She is the co-author of The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers , a comprehensive manual written by a team of medical, nutrition, and culinary experts. Follow her on Instagram Pediatriciansguide.
You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Skip Ribbon Commands. Parents have many options when it comes to expressed breast milk storage. It can be stored in the refrigerator, freezer, insulated bag, and even at room temperature.
In fact, pumped breast milk can sit out at room temperature for longer than infant formula and other foods before becoming unsafe for your baby, but parents and caregivers should still familiarize themselves with safe storage guidance.
For healthy full-term infants, here are the guidelines for keeping breast milk out at room temperature up to 77 degrees F or 25 degrees C. Bacteria are all around. They are on your hands, on the skin around your breasts, and on the parts of your breast pump. When you pump your breast milk, some of that bacteria gets into the milk.
But don't worry: When you store your breast milk safely, this small amount of bacteria will not harm a healthy, full-term child. Breast milk contains antibacterial and immune properties that can prevent bacteria from growing inside of it for many hours.
However, the longer it is left out, the more time the bacteria has to multiply. Temperature also plays a significant role in the growth of bacteria. 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. Sometimes it takes a little while for your milk to start flowing.
Try to choose a time when you feel relaxed. Having your baby or a photo of them nearby may help your milk to flow. You may find it easier to express if you cover your breasts with a warm towel first, or after you have a shower or bath.
Some find it easier to express milk by hand, especially in the first few days or weeks. It also means you can express without needing a pump, or an electricity supply. Hand expressing allows you to encourage milk to flow from a particular part of the breast. This may be useful, for example, if one of the milk ducts in your breast becomes blocked. You may be able to hire an electric pump. Your midwife, health visitor or a local breastfeeding supporter can give you details of pump hire services near you.
The suction strength can be altered on some electric pumps. Build up slowly. Setting the strength to high straightaway may be painful or damage your nipple. You may also be able to get different funnel the part that goes over your nipple sizes to fit your nipples. The pump should never cause bruising or catch your nipple as it's sucked into the funnel. Find out how to sterilise baby bottles. But good hygiene is vital to ensure that stored milk is safe for your baby — read on to find out how to store breast milk properly.
Breast milk is better for your baby than formula — but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen.
If you have expressed breast milk cleanly and safely , you can store it at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, depending on how soon you want to use it. Follow this storage location and temperatures guidelines for freshly expressed breast milk for healthy term babies 2,3 :. These guidelines for storing and defrosting breast milk are a recommendation — contact your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist for further information.
If your baby is in a neonatal intensive care unit NICU or special care ward, your hospital may have stricter recommendations for cleaning and storage. Stored breast milk tends to separate into layers, with the fat cream rising to the top.
Gently swirl the bottle to mix the layers before feeding your baby. When your baby feeds on expressed breast milk from a cup or bottle, bacteria from his mouth can naturally end up in the milk. Healthy, full-term babies can drink breast milk at room temperature or warmed to body temperature.
You may notice that your refrigerated or defrosted breast milk can sometimes smell different. This is because an enzyme called lipase breaks down fats and releases fatty acids — a process that helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Some mums report that their stored milk has a soapy or rancid smell.
If you have to transport your milk between work and home or daycare, use a cooler bag with ice packs. The convenient way to store, carry and warm expressed breast milk, Medela breast milk storage bags are easy to use and hygienic.
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