I Left Breast Milk out...HELP!!

I just so happened to read my "Banner Health's Parents-To-Be Book" last night that is published and distrubuted by Banner Health - Banner Thunderbird hospital. I will quote from their manual... "Freshly expressed breast milk can be left in room temperature (68 degrees to 72 degrees) for six to eight hours. Do NOT expose the milk to sunlight."

Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful

Unfortunately, I would discard it. You don't want to take any chances with spoiled milk.

I would not use it. An hour or so may be fine but all night is too risky. Drink lots of water and pump the rest after each feeding. I hate when this happens. Hang in there.

I believe you are okay! Whatever you do don't freak out. Once you start stressing, it's hard to produce milk. I know because that happened to me. If you need help with producing. There is a tea out there called "Mothers Milk" Sip on it and relax.
Hope this helps.

I believe it is ok up to 10 hours at room temperature. www.kellymom.com is a great resource for breastfeeding questions.

When I was breastfeeding my daughter, we never used milk that was left out for more than 2 hours. Bacteria can build up & you don't want to make your little angel sick! I'm sorry about the quantity.. I feel for you!

A. -- how old is your baby? Does she have any immune issues (like being premature)? The general rule that I've always heard is that breast milk is safe at room temperature for 8 hours. -- You are just under that mark. Kellymom.com is a great site for reference on all sorts of issues -- they might have advice. I remembering reading instructions to blanch breast milk in the event that it gets thawed when a freezer door is left open or the power to the freezer drops.

I personally would offer the milk ASAP if she is a normal healthy baby. If she seems at all reluctant to take the milk -- then discard it.

I know how much is sucks to have to throw away the 'liquid gold'

Kellymom.com is a really great site for breastfeeding moms. Here's the info I found regarding breast milk storage and handling. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html They say 10 hours at room temp is okay for fresh milk, but the time frame diminishes if the room is warm. I hope this helps!

One more vote for it's probably OK. 8-10 hours is the rule I'd always heard. If it is bad you will know if you taste it.

The milk from the fridge was actually lower than room temp when you took it out so that would be OK too!

I agree, kellymom.com is probably the most comprehensive site out there for nursing info.

I wouldn't risk it. I've read 4-6 hours is the safe zone for letting it sit out.

Just like a bad haircut will grow back, your body will make more.

It's ok if it's out for 8-10 hours. Yours was only out for 7 hours so you are okay. I would personally use that today though....then just pump what you would feed :)

From what I have always heard, you are fine! 8-10 hours sitting out and it will be fine.

It's ok for up to 10 hours at room temp. Just put it in the fridge or freezer and you should be fine!

I know, it SUCKS...but it's not worth the risk :(

I have a great nutrition book for babies and toddlers and one of the best things I learned from it: "When in doubt, throw it out." Your baby's tiny digestive system can't handle bacteria the way we can!

Sorry :(

Throw it out. But don't "cry over spilt milk", just learn and move on. You are okay.

My understanding (from my breast feeding guide book) is that pumped milk can be left out at room temp. for up to 8 hours before you put it in the fridge, so I think the milk from last night is still good (assuming you put it in the fridge when you found it this morning). The milk you took out of the fridge to put in the freezer...that I'm not sure about.

My lactation consultant says...up to 10 hours at room temp (72 degrees) I think your milk should be fine but I myself am a bit confused on the room temp part since my house is 78 degrees. I would call a lactation consultant and ask. Doris is great! I think her website is www.pumpngo.com or pump-n-go

I know that you can leave breast milk out for a while because of the antibacterial properties of it. But if it was 8 hours I would cut your losses and start pumping again. Taste it and see if it is bad. Better you find out then your baby.

Stop freaking out!! You can leave breast milk out for up to 10 hours without harming its properties. That is according to the LeLeache League. I always tell my moms who pump, "Just leave it by the bed at night and put it in the fridge in the morning". As a Baby Nurse I take the breast milk out of the fridge when I get to work for the night so it will be room temp when I have to feed the babies in the middle of the night.

According to LeLeche and Dr. Sears fresh breast milk is okay if left at room temperature for8-10 hours. So the fresh should be fine. But I am not sure about the stuff from the freezer. At least if you ket the fresh milk, it would not be a total waste.

Hi A.!
I did the same exact thing before, but with 10 oz. I know how sick it makes you to throw it out, but I say, better to be safe than sorry.
D. :.)

I think the rule of thumb is four hours left out. I would toss it. Double check on google, or hopefully there is someone who has a more confident answer than I.