Follow the below guidelines for safe storage of breast milk to ensure freshness.
Location
Countertop, table
Insulated cooler bag
Refrigerator
Freezer compartment of
a refrigerator
Freezer compartment of
refrigerator with separate doors
Chest or upright deep freezer
STORAGE GUIDELINES FOR THAWED BREAST MILK
Room Temperature (60°F to 85°F)
Up to 1-2 hours is best. Up to 3-4 hours is ok.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/BreastfeedingGuide-General-English.pdf.
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GUIDELINES FOR STORING BREAST MILK
Temperature
Room temperature
6–8 hours
(up to 77°F or 25°C)
5 - 39°F or
24 hours
-15 - 4°C
39°F or 4°C
5 days
Freezer
5°F or -15°C
2 weeks
0°F or -18°C
3–6 months
-4°F or -20°C
6–12 months
1
Refrigerator (39°F or colder)
24 hours
1
Duration
Containers should be covered and kept as cool
as possible; covering the container with a cool
towel may keep milk cooler.
Keep ice packs in contact with milk containers
at all times, limit opening cooler bag.
Store milk in the back of the main body of the
refrigerator.
Store milk toward the back of the freezer, where
temperature is most constant. Milk stored for
longer durations in the ranges listed is safe,
but some of the lipids in the milk undergo
degradation resulting in lower quality.
Freezer
Do not refreeze thawed breast milk.
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Comments
3/18/2013 2:26:56 PM