Understanding the usage time for defrosted breast milk is essential for the preservation of nutrients, antibodies, and other benefits of breast milk.
Proper storage and usage practices keep breast milk safe for the baby and prevent waste.
How Long to Use Breast Milk After Defrosting?
If you keep your defrosted breast milk in the refrigerator, you have 24 hours to use it if stored at 40°F (4°C). When the breast milk is left at room temperature, you should use it quickly, within an hour or two.
Once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen. Refreezing leads to nutritional loss, bacterial growth, and possible contamination (if already used). Refrozen breast milk loses significant benefits and poses a health risk to your baby.
How Long to Keep Defrosted Breast Milk in the Fridge
Freezing fresh breast milk helps preserve its nutritional value and other benefits. It also keeps bacteria from growing. Once the milk is thawed, the conditions for bacteria growth improve. The longer the breast milk sits in the fridge, the more contaminated it gets. This makes it unsafe for your baby to consume. The nutritional values and other benefits of breast milk also drop.
Proper storage of breast milk is essential to prevent that from happening.
Store breast milk containers at the back of the fridge, not in the door. The back provides a more consistent temperature, helping to preserve the milk. Always check the date before feeding to ensure the oldest milk is used first.
How Long Does It Take to Defrost Breast Milk?
If left in the fridge, breast milk defrosts in 12 to 24 hours. This is the longest thawing method, but it is also the safest.
To thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, place the container in the back, where the temperature is most consistent. The thawing time depends on the amount of frozen breast milk. To speed up the process, you can partially defrost breast milk with other methods before putting it in the fridge.
For breast milk to defrost with a warm water method, put the breast milk container in a bowl of warm water and let it sit. The milk will defrost in 10 to 20 minutes.
The quickest way for breast milk defrosting is the running warm water method. It takes 5 to 10 minutes for breast milk to defrost that way.
After the breast milk is defrosted, swirl the container (don’t shake) to ensure the liquids and fats combine.
Because the refrigerator method is safest for milk defrosting, always plan your feedings for better convenience.
Tips for Safely Storing and Using Breast Milk
For safe storage and use of defrosted breast milk, follow these tips:
- Store breast milk as soon after extraction as possible.
- Always use food-grade containers or storage bags for breast milk.
- Breast milk expands when frozen: never fill the container to the brim.
- Label the storage container with the date and time of extraction to ensure you always use the oldest milk. For those looking for an even easier way to manage their stored milk, breast milk freshness sensors can be a helpful tool.
- Store milk in small portions: keep the portion size at 4 to 6 ounces. This prevents wastage and shortens thawing time.
- Do not mix fresh milk with already thawed breast milk.
- Store breast milk in the back of the refrigerator or freezer.
What to Avoid When Using Defrosted Breast Milk
Previously thawed breast milk should never be refrozen. Refreezing breast milk risks bacterial contamination and a drop in quality. Once the breast milk becomes contaminated, it is no longer safe for consumption and should be discarded.
Thawed breast milk should also not be reheated. After heating, the milk should be consumed, and any leftovers should be discarded.
Bacteria multiply faster in warm temperatures, so leaving thawed milk at room temperature for too long can cause it to spoil. Be sure to use thawed room-temperature milk within one to two hours.
FAQs:
How long does breast milk take to defrost in the fridge?
Frozen breast milk takes 12 to 24 hours to defrost in the fridge.
How long can defrosted breast milk be kept in the refrigerator?
Because of bacterial growth and quality drop, refrigerator-stored breast milk should be used within a day (24 hours).
Can I refreeze defrosted breast milk if it hasn’t been used?
No, once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen.
How long does it take for frozen breast milk to defrost?
Depending on the method used; frozen breast milk thaws in 12-24 hours in the fridge. With the warm water method, it thaws in 10-20 minutes, with running warm water in 5-10 minutes.
How long should I keep breast milk after defrosting?
If thawed breast milk is left at room temperature, use it within 1 to 2 hours. If it is left in the fridge, use it within 24 hours.
Conclusion
It is important to use defrosted breast milk within the recommended time frames to ensure its safety and quality. If stored in the fridge, use thawed breast milk within 24 hours; if left at room temperature, use it within 1 to 2 hours. Discard any unused milk after these timeframes.
Never refreeze thawed milk, and avoid reheating it.
By planning your feedings carefully, you ensure they stay safe, of high quality, and waste-free. Following the provided storage plan will help you achieve all of this.
