Breast milk contains all the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs. 1 However, sometimes mothers produce more milk than their babies consume. 2 In such cases, freezing the breast milk is the best option. Freezing breast milk helps preserve all the milk’s benefits and ensures you don’t run out of it.
Therefore, knowing how long breast milk can last in the freezer is essential for its safety and quality.
How Long Does Frozen Breast Milk Stay Good?
Breast milk stored in a standard freezer compartment should ideally be used within 3-6 months, as advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, storing it for up to 12 months is still considered acceptable. If breast milk is stored in a deep freezer with a temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower, it needs to be used within 12 months of storage.
Breast milk should be stored at the rear of the freezer compartment, particularly if the freezer is frequently opened, to ensure a stable temperature.
Breast milk retains its best quality and nutritional value for up to 6 months.
What Affects How Long Breast Milk Lasts in the Freezer?
The freezer temperature greatly impacts the storage duration of breast milk. Higher temperatures require the milk to be used quicker.
The container in which you store breast milk should always be food-grade. You could use a sterile glass container or a BPA-free plastic container. In either case, ensure the lid is properly sealed to prevent contamination. You could also store the milk in breast milk storage bags.
Lastly, the type of freezer you use is an important factor in preserving breast milk. Deep freezers are better at maintaining a stable temperature than refrigerator-freezers, making them more appropriate for long-term storage.
Best Practices for Freezing Breast Milk
Proper breast milk freezing requires careful preparation. Remember to ensure a sterile pumping session. Store breast milk in a sterile food-grade container or storage bag. Always leave some room, as breast milk expands when frozen.
Be sure to label each container with the date of expression. Labeling ensures you use the oldest breast milk first.
While freshly expressed milk can last 4 hours at room temperature, it's best to freeze it immediately if unused. Faster freezing preserves quality and nutrients.
If breast milk is stored in storage bags, keep them flat in the freezer. This will help save space and reduce defrosting time.
Testing Frozen Breast Milk for Freshness
Once breast milk has been frozen and thawed, it should always be tested for freshness, so you do not throw good breast milk away or feed the baby bad milk. Here are some signs breast milk has gone spoiled:
Smell: The milk has a sour or rancid smell.
Appearance: The milk appears to have an unusual color, or the separated liquids don’t mix up with fat.
Taste: The milk tastes sour.
If your thawed breast milk shows any of the signs above, discard it.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), freezer burn can affect the taste, but it doesn't make breast milk unsafe to consume.
How to Thaw and Use Frozen Breast Milk
The best method for thawing breast milk is the refrigerator method. Simply put the container of breast milk in the refrigerator and let it defrost for 12 to 24 hours.
If you are in a hurry to defrost breast milk, you can place the container in a bowl of warm water. Leave it to thaw for 10 to 20 minutes and swirl occasionally. Another option is to hold the container under warm running water while swirling to ensure even thawing. This method defrosts the milk in 5 to 10 minutes.
The time of usage depends on the thawing method used. The milk should be used within 24 hours if it is thawed in the refrigerator. If you thaw the milk at room temperature, use it within an hour or two.
Once breast milk is fully thawed, it should not be refrozen.
FAQs
How long does breast milk last in the freezer?
Breast milk in the freezer (at 0°F or -18°C) lasts up to 12 months, although it is best to use it within 6 months.
Does breast milk lose nutrients when frozen for a long time?
Yes, breast milk that is frozen for a long period loses some of its benefits. That’s why it is recommended to use within 6 months of storage.
Can I refreeze breast milk after thawing?
Breast milk should not be refrozen once it has already been fully defrosted.
What’s the best way to store breast milk in the freezer?
It is best to store it in a sterile, well-sealed container at the back of the freezer, away from doors, where the temperature is most constant.
How can I tell if frozen breast milk has gone bad?
Look for signs of spoilage, such as weird smells, odd appearance, and bad taste.
Conclusion
If you store breast milk in a refrigerator-freezer combo, it should be used within 6 months.
Before freezing the breast milk, check if the containers are sterile and food-grade. Never fill the containers to the brim, and seal them properly to prevent contamination.
To guarantee the stability of the temperature, keep stored breast milk in the back of the freezer.
Always check the quality of breast milk after thawing and before use. If the appearance, smell, or taste is off, discard it.
By following these tips, freezing your breast milk will be easier, safer, and more efficient.
