How long can breast milk be kept in the refrigerator

Breast milk can actually be kept in the refrigerator for a long time, but it is not recommended to put a lot of it in at one time. It is better to eat it as soon as possible. Breast milk in the refrigerator can generally be kept for a week, while breast milk in the freezer can be kept for three to four months. It is better to use glass bottles to store breast milk, and metal materials should not be used to store breast milk. After freezing, breast milk should be rinsed with cold water first and then with hot water to thaw it.

The International Breastfeeding Association has listed the following timetable for the storage of breast milk based on years of research results:

1.Store at room temperature:

Colostrum (milk expressed within 6 days after delivery) - can be stored at room temperature of 27-32 degrees Celsius for 12 hours

Mature breast milk (milk expressed after 6 days of delivery) - can be stored at room temperature of 15 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. It can be stored at room temperature of 19 to 22 degrees Celsius for 10 hours.

Can be stored at room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius for 6 hours

2. Storage in refrigerator: It can be stored for 8 days at 0-4 degrees Celsius.

3. Frozen storage: The frozen storage of breast milk is related to the condition of the freezer - if it is a small freezer box in the refrigerator's refrigerator compartment, the shelf life is two weeks; if it is a freezer separate from the refrigerator, but the door is often opened and closed to take items, the shelf life is 3 to 4 months; if it is a deep freezer, the temperature is kept below 0 degrees and the door is not opened often, then the shelf life can be up to 6 months or more.

It is best to use plastic products that are suitable for freezing and well-sealed when freezing breast milk, followed by glass products. It is best not to use metal products because the active factors in breast milk will adhere to glass or metal, thereby reducing the nutrients in the breast milk. It's normal for stored breast milk to break down and look a little bluish, yellowish, or brown.

When thawing frozen breast milk, you should first rinse the sealed bag with cold water, and then gradually add hot water until the breast milk is completely thawed and reaches a suitable feeding temperature. Do not heat breast milk directly over a stove or microwave as this will destroy the nutrients in the breast milk.

Freezing breast milk is the method of preserving breast milk for the longest time, but its specific shelf life is related to the freezing conditions. It can be preserved for a longer time if a freezer that is suitable for freezing and has good sealing properties is used. If the sealing effect is poor and the freezer is frequently opened and closed to take out items, the shelf life will be shorter. Therefore, how long frozen breast milk can be kept depends on the freezing conditions.

If it is a small freezer box in the refrigerator's refrigerator compartment, the shelf life is two weeks; if it is a freezer compartment separate from the refrigerator, but the door is often opened and closed to take items out, the shelf life is 3 to 4 months; if it is a deep freezer compartment, the temperature is kept below 0 degrees and the door is not often opened, then the shelf life is more than 6 months.