How much stored breast milk

Thawed milk may smell or taste soapy due to the breakdown of fats in the milk. The milk is still safe to drink, and most babies won't have a problem with it. If your baby doesn't like it, the milk can be heated to scalding bubbles around the edges right after it is pumped or expressed and then quickly cooled and frozen. This switches off the enzyme that breaks down the milk fats.

Before their first use, wash and then sterilize the nipples, bottles, and washable breast pump supplies for example, the breast shields and any other part that touches your breasts or your milk by boiling them for 5 to 10 minutes.

Check the manufacturer's recommendations for the length of time to boil the parts. You also can sterilize the parts with a countertop or microwaveable sterilizer, but boiling works just as well and costs nothing. After that, wash the bottles, nipples, and pump supplies in hot, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher after every use. They can transmit bacteria if not cleaned properly. The microwave can create dangerous "hot spots" in bottles of formula or breast milk, so you should never microwave them.

Instead, you can run the bottle or freezer bag under warm water for a little bit, swirl the bag or bottle around in a bowl of warm water, or thaw the milk in the refrigerator. You also can put your baby's bottles in a pan of warm water away from the heat of the stove and then test the temperature by squirting a drop or two on the inside of your wrist before feeding your baby. And bottle warmers are available for use at home or in the car.

What's this? Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Breastfeeding Information for Families. Related Topics. Diabetes Nutrition. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue. Remember that heating breast milk in the microwave or boiling it is not safe. These methods can cause loss of nutritional properties of breast milk and could be unevenly hot, making it dangerous for your baby to drink.

Once previously frozen breast milk is thawed, it can be stored in the fridge and must be used within 24 hours. If your baby doesn't want to drink the thawed breast milk, talk with your doctor about ways to help neutralize the enzyme and lessen the smell. If your baby is in the NICU or is hospitalized for other reasons, your breast milk can be fed to her through a tube that passes through the nose or mouth into the stomach or from a tiny cup or bottle. The traditional breast milk storage guidelines above were written for healthy, full-term babies.

Storage guidelines are stricter for babies who are hospitalized and have weaker immune systems. Here are some general things to keep in mind:. Always discuss the recommended storage guidelines for your situation with your baby's healthcare providers. They may have more specific instructions for you to follow at their hospital.

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This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Breast Milk Storage Guidelines. Medically Reviewed by Micah Resnick, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.

Find out how to safely store breast milk at room temperature, in the fridge and in the freezer, plus how long you can safely keep it. Back to Top.