Storing your milk
There are many ways to safely store breast milk (see table below). If you have a self defrosting freezer store the milk as far away as possible from the defrosting element. When freezing breastmilk for occasional use at home any plastic container can be used provided it has an airtight seal and it can be sterilised. Remember to date and label each container and use them in rotation. If you are expressing because your baby is premature or ill, ask the staff caring for him for advice about what storage containers to use and how to store your milk. Frozen breastmilk can be thawed slowly in a refrigerator. Frozen milk can also be thawed by standing the container in warm water. Thawed breastmilk can be stored in a refrigerator and used for up to 24 hours. Once it has been warmed to room temperature it should be used or thrown away. Breastmilk should never be refrozen. Breastmilk should not be defrosted in a microwave because this may cause the milk to heat unevenly and may burn the baby’s mouth.
The length of time expressed breastmilk can be kept for depends on a number of things. Below is a guide to how long it can be stored under different conditions.
Freshly expressed breastmilk placed in a closed container.
Room Temperature: 6–8 hrs (26ºC or lower). If refrigeration is available store milk there.
Refrigerator: 3–5 days (4ºC or lower) Store in back of refrigerator where it is coldest.
Freezer: 2 weeks in freezer compartment inside refrigerator. 3 months in freezer section of refrigerator with separate door. 6 months in a separate chest freezer
(-18ºC or lower).
Previously frozen— thawed in refrigerator but not warmed
Room Temperature: 4 hours or less, (ie the next feeding)
Refrigerator: Can be stored for up to 24 hours
Freezer: Do not refreeze
Thawed outside refrigerator in warm water
Room Temperature: The breastmilk should be OK for the duration of the feed, about one hour
Refrigerator: It can be stored for up to four hours in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Do not refreeze
Infant has begun feeding
Room temperature: For the duration of the feed, then discard
Refrigerator: Cannot be stored in the refrigerator, discard
Freezer: Cannot be re-frozen, discard.
