How long can breast milk stay out after being refrigerated?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can breast milk stay out after being refrigerated” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of previously refrigerated breast milk at room temperature. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of breast milk in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad breast milk.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can breast milk stay out after being refrigerated?
Freshly pumped breast milk as well as previously refrigerated breast milk lasts for about 4 hours when kept at room temperature but you should use it within 2 hours for safety concerns.
You should discard the breast milk that has been left in open for more than 4 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the breast milk being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 4 hours.
Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard breast milk that is left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, when it comes to frozen breast milk, if it is thawed by letting it sit on the counter, you should use it within 2 hours or else discard it after 2 hours. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the breast milk being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2hours.
Moreover, if you have thawed milk in the refrigerator then it is advised to use it within 24 hours once thawed.
Breast milk is loaded with a lot of nutrients and it always remains fresh inside the body of the mother. But once the breast milk is expressed, it has a short shelf life if kept out of the refrigerator, therefore care should be taken while handling and storing breast milk.
Shelf life of breast milk in the fridge
Breast milk lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge if stored in an air-tight bottle or air-tight container at or below 40°F.
Shelf life of breast milk in the freezer
Breast milk lasts for about 6 months in the freezer when stored properly in an air-tight container or bottle.
Thus keeping the breast milk in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the breast milk.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of breast milk.
Tips to properly store breast milk
- You should always store the expressed breast milk at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store breast milk at a lower temperature to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time.
- Breast milk can pick up odors therefore it should be stored in an air-tight container or bottle in the fridge. Moreover, it should be stored away from strong-smelling food items like garlic, onion, etc.
- It is better to store the breast milk on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge and that can harm the quality of expressed breast milk.
You can read more about breast milk here.
Other FAQs about Milk which you may be interested in.
Can you replace milk with evaporated milk
How long can almond milk be left out?
Ways to spot bad breast milk
A couple of indicators point out bad breast milk. You can tell whether or not breast milk has gone bad by considering its consistency, smell, and taste.
Consistency
As the breast milk is not homogenized therefore it is natural for it to separate into layers when kept for some time in the fridge.
But if even after swirling or shaking the bottle, the two layers do not come together, or if there are lumps present in it then it means that the breast milk has gone bad.
Smell
If you smell something foul or rotten while taking a sniff test then it is an indication that the expressed breast milk has gone bad.
Taste
Breast milk is sweeter as compared to cow milk. So if you notice a sour taste after taking a little sip of milk then it is an indication that the breast milk has gone bad.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can breast milk stay out after being refrigerated” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of previously refrigerated breast milk at room temperature. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of breast milk in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad breast milk.
Citations
https://www.verywellfamily.com/breast-milk-at-room-temperature-431749
https://www.purewow.com/family/how-long-can-breast-milk-sit-out
