Hi Moms...I checked kellymom.com but couldn't find an answer to this question...can you freeze breast milk that has been pumped then refridgerated (not previously frozen)? I pumped some that I thought I'd use but haven't and I don't want to waste it...can I freeze it now after I've let it sit in the fridge a few days?
Yes, in fact it is recommended to refrigerate it first before you put milk in the freezer so you can bring it down to the colder temperature first before freezing.
Absolutely! Just know that if you have kept it in the fridge for a few days, you might use up some of its freezer life. Meaning milk can be in the fridge 7 -8 days and the freezer for 6 mo, but if you freeze after having it in the fridge for a few days, you might only be able to freeze it for 4 mo or so. However, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your baby will let you know if the milk is not OK to use.
Definitely! I think the longest I ever let milk stay in the fridge (before freezing) was 3 days. Still, that stuff is liquid gold, so don't waste a drop! Congrats on both babies :-)
Yes, absolutely! According to La Leche League, milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 8 days. I used to freeze it after 7 days, and my daughter never had a problem with it. (It's much better to use milk from the refrigerator, as it loses some of its properties once frozen, so I would keep it in the fridge until I was sure I wouldn't need it for a while, and freeze it only when it was about to "expire".)
Don't throw out a drop of that milk if it's not necessary! :)
Yes! Milk can stay in the fridge for up to two weeks, but I would freeze it after no more than a few days.
I believe you have a 48 hour window as to using or freezing pumped milk. Check with a lactation consultant to be sure.
