How Long Can I Store Breastmilk in the Fridge

J.,

Going off memory here, I think it is 4 days in the fridge prior to freezing, and after freezing and then thaw, use within 24 hours. But I wouldn't wait that long!!! Milk gets so gross so fast. I just pumped for my daughter and an adopted niece this summer and here's how I would do it...
Pump into the nice freezer bags that are specifically for breastmilk, label, and freeze! Easy! Oh and I'd set one aside just for my baby in the fridge for her midnight feeding. You should be pumping a lot more than I, at two weeks for your baby. I was pumping twice a day and I still was generating 40 ounces in just those two pumps.

Look at your breastpump's instructions, most of them (at least the ones that I've had) have instructions and they are very strictly made by the FDA, since breastmilk is a FOOD... and follow those! Also, you could contact your local leche league and get advice there!

V.

im pretty sure its 3 days ive never left it in there for more then that but i did freeze it and it can last for a long time doing it like that im not exactly sure how long but im thinking months? and putting them in the dishwasher will not hurt them

J.,

You should freeze after 3 days of putting in the freezer. You can get the freezer bags at your local department stores. I found Walmart was pretty cheap. If I remember correctly if you put in your freezer attached to the fridge, it can be there for 3 months. But if you have a deep freezer, it can be there for 7 to 9 months. I found some sterile bags you can put your pumping supplies in and microwave for a few seconds, I usually did this after every use to sterlize. Then I would boil them once a month. Good Luck

Hi J.,

Here is a site with guidelines on how long you can store milk. The sooner you get it used, or to the freezer, the better, but I know it's not always that simple. Congratulations and good luck!!
http://www.justmommies.com/articles/breast-milk-storage.s...

As a Lactation Consultant, I go straight to the source. Here is what the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends:

Milk storage guidelines
1. Milk may be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for 6 to 8 hours. Temperatures greater than
77°F (25°C) may not be safe for room temperature storage.4 Containers should be covered and kept as cool
as possible; covering the container with a cool towel may keep milk cooler.
2. Milk may be stored in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs for 24 hours.5
3. Milk may be safely refrigerated (39°F or 4°C) for up to 5 days.6 Store milk in the back of the main body
of the refrigerator, where the temperature is the coolest.7
4. The type of freezer in which the milk is kept determines timetables for frozen milk. Generally, store milk
toward the back of the freezer, where the temperature is most constant.8
Milk stored for the longer durations
in the ranges listed below is safe, but there is some evidence that the lipids in the milk undergo degradation
resulting in lower quality.9
· Freezer compartment located inside the refrigerator (5°F or −15°C): 2 weeks
· Refrigerator/freezer with separate doors (0°F or −18°C): 3 to 6 months
· Chest or upright manual defrost deep freezer that is opened infrequently and maintains ideal
temperature (−4°F or −20°C): 6 to 12 months
5. The above guidelines apply only to healthy, term infants; guidelines are different for hospitalized, sick,
or preterm infants.

See entire info sheet and others at
http://www.bfmed.org/Resources/Protocols.aspx

J.

3 days. I put my pump/bottles in the dishwasher. I also used steam bags to clean pump accessories. Another tip I learned... while pumping throughout the day you can put pump accessories in the fridge, so not to clean several times a day. At the end of the day throw in dishwasher. You can safely store used pump accessories in fridge and use over a three day period without washing.

Hi J. - store breast milk in a sterilized container in the back of the fridge a max of 3 days. Be sure to label the date/time you pumped so you dont lose track. I had good luck using one of the microwave steam sterilizers for my pumping supplies and bottles. I also used the dishwasher but we have hard water so I found the sterilizer worked better for me.

I had a limited number of pumping bottles so I used those J&J storage bags to store breastmilk. I usually popped them in the freezer rather than storing in the refrigerator. I stored them in Gladware to avoid putting a hole in the bag. I had one box for frozen milk and one for fresh milk to avoid thawing the frozen milk.