Breastmilk provides complete nutrition and immune support for infants. Proper storage and careful handling are essential to retain its beneficial properties and ensure it remains safe for consumption.
Deep Freezer Storage Duration and Best Practices
Breastmilk can be stored in a deep freezer at a consistent temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or colder. While acceptable for up to 12 months, using the milk within 6 months is recommended for best quality. This duration helps to preserve the milk’s nutrient content and immunological components, which can gradually degrade over time even when frozen.
For optimal deep freezer storage, use clean, food-grade containers made of glass or BPA-free plastic with tight-fitting lids, or specialized breastmilk storage bags. Label each container with the date of expression to ensure you use the oldest milk first. Store milk in the back of the freezer where temperatures are most stable, rather than in the door, which experiences more temperature fluctuations. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the container before freezing, as breastmilk expands when it freezes.
Other Breastmilk Storage Guidelines
Freshly expressed breastmilk can be safely stored at room temperature, specifically 77°F (25°C) or colder, for up to 4 hours. If it will not be used within a few hours, it is best to refrigerate it promptly. For refrigeration, breastmilk can be kept in the main compartment of a refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or colder for up to 4 days.
Breastmilk can be stored for up to 6 months at 0°F (-18°C) in a refrigerator’s freezer compartment. Maintaining recommended temperatures across all storage methods inhibits bacterial growth and maintains milk quality. Using an appliance thermometer can help monitor these temperatures.
Proper Thawing and Use of Stored Breastmilk
To safely thaw frozen breastmilk, transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can hold the sealed container under cool or lukewarm running water, or place it in a bowl of warm water. Never thaw or heat breastmilk in a microwave, as this can create hot spots that could burn a baby’s mouth and may damage the milk’s beneficial components.
Once breastmilk is fully thawed, it should be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator. Thawed milk that has been brought to room temperature or warmed should be used within 1 to 2 hours. Thawed breastmilk should never be refrozen. If a baby does not finish a feeding, any leftover milk in the bottle should be used within 2 hours.