How Long Is Breastmilk Good Stored In The Freezer
For older refrigerators with the freezer compartment within the refrigerator the temperature inside varies and it is advisable to use up the breastmilk in two weeks.
How long is breastmilk good stored in the freezer. Use the fridge for short term breast milk storage and the freezer for long term storage. Also the type of freezer compartment impacts how long breastmilk can be stored. Do not store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. Clearly label the breast milk with the date it was expressed.
In the deep freezer at 4 f 20 c it can stay longer like 6 to 12 months. Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the back of a deep freezer for up to 12 months but using the frozen milk within six months is optimal. The human milk banking association of north america says milk can be stored under such conditions for up to a year although less than three months is preferred. Self contained freezer unit of a refrigerator freezer 39 f 4 c.
To help yourself you can store the breastmilk in the fridge in special milk bags that are the size of a meal. 6 months these guidelines are for milk expressed for a full term healthy baby. Thawed previously frozen breast milk must be used within 24 hours if thawed in the refrigerator or two hours if warmed or it must be discarded. When it comes to storing breast milk remember this simple rule.
If storing it in a fridge the freshly pumped breast milk is good for up to 48 hours. According to llli guidelines breastmilk can be stored in the freezer at 0 f 18 c for a safe period of 3 to 6 months. How long does breast milk last in the freezer. Dedicated refrigerators and freezers are provided for breast milk storage in the hospital.
But other than that moving refrigerated milk to the freezer is a good idea that can help you store it for a longer time with no hassle. This will help protect the breast milk from temperature changes from the door opening and closing. Keep in mind that research suggests that the longer you store breast milk whether in the refrigerator or in the freezer the greater the loss of vitamin c in the milk. If you don t think you will use freshly expressed breast milk within 4 days freeze it right away.
The academy recommends storing breast milk for three to six months if frozen in a deep freezer at 0 degrees fahrenheit 18 degrees celsius or below. Breast milk will stay fresh for many months in the freezer as long as it s stored properly but it won t be as nutritious for baby as the fresh stuff since freezing breast milk kills off.