Warming up Breastmilk and Re-refrigerating

Here is a link about safe handling of breastmilk. And please remember, you CANNOT shake breastmilk as another poster suggested. ONLY swirl it. It explains that in the link. Good luck!

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/breastfeeding/shakenot.htm

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Im currently seeing a lactation specialist because of some problems we are having breastfeeding caused by me making too much milk. Anyways, I am pumping all the time and so have just asked all these questions. This is my 2nd child and their advice is much more lenient than I thought the rules were last time I was breastfeeding. Im going to just list some of the things Ive learned from them (and just to assure you the person I see is known as one of the experts in the feild- she's an MD who runs a whole breastfeeding clinic and has made educational videos of breastfeedign etc..) They say milk can be left at room temp for 8 hours and then you can refrigerate it if you havent used it. Warm milk (freshly pumped) cannot be added to refrigerated milk (you must cool the pumped and then pour together). Refrigerated milk can be added to frozen milk. Once milk is heated in warm water it cant be reheated but can be used again at the next feeding at room temp if the feeding is within 2-3 hours. If your baby only likes warm milk than you might as well throw it away but as your baby gets alittle older he may not mind room temperature milk as much. (alot of older babies arent as picky) The best thing I learned is that if you are pumping approximately every 4 hours you dont have to wash the pump each time- just every other time. I hate washing the pump. This time I also discovered this bra with holes cut out over the nipples that you put your pump into so you can "hands-free" pump. This allows me to sit here and pump and type on the computer etc.. I dont know why these "bras" arent everywhere. I ordered mine on the internet. Good luck

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I used to heat up my daughter's breast milk in a bottle warmer or in warm water up to room temperature, there is really no need to give a baby warm milk but we all feel a lot better by doing it :o). I used to follow the rule of 3, 3 hrs at room temperature, 3 days in the fridge and 3 mo in the freezer. You can heat up but never in a microwave as it will loose some of it nutrients, it also looses some nutrients when you freeze, however I did freeze a lot of it as I know how precious having a supply is. I trick I found to work was to store the milk in a breastmilk bag and heat it up in bath of warm water ti worked very well b/c it warmed up quicker than in a bottle and warmer, it also helped me not to overheat. Hope this helps.

N.,
Here's some info I found on the web about storing breast milk - the answer to your direct question is last in the list..Good luck and congrats to you and your family on your little one!

How long can you refridgerate breast milk?

Instructions how to storage breast milk

How do I storage my Breast Milk?

The Basics

--Use very clean containers. Glass is best, but plastic and baggie-type bottles can also be used

--Express milk into 2- to 4-ounce "single-serve" portions, plus a few extra 1 ounce portions for when your baby wants more

--Chill milk as soon as possible and definitely within four hours.* When temperatures soar above 100 degrees, chill immediately

--Label and date bottles

--If the milk will be used within 4 to 5 days, refrigerate. If not, freeze

Tips for Fresh Milk

--If stored in a cooler with frozen gel packs, use within 24 hours

--If stored under standard refrigeration use within 5 days

--Warm by shaking gently under warm, running water

--Avoid the microwave. Microwave warming can cause hot spots and damage protective substances

--Teach others who feed your infant how to prepare bottles for feeding

Tips for Frozen Milk

--If stored at zero degrees in a self-defrosting freezer, use within 6 months

--If stored at zero degrees in a standard freezer, use within 12 months

--Defrost by shaking gently under warm, running water. Avoid microwave thawing, which can cause hot spots

--Shake gently to redistribute the separated fat of thawed milk that appears lumpy. It is perfectly safe to use

--Use as soon as possible once thawed. Freezing destroys some of the anti-bacterial components of milk, making it more perishable than fresh.

Storage Guidelines

Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool milk in refrigerator before adding to frozen milk.

Human milk can be stored:

· at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours

· in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days

· in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks

· in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.

· in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

Expressed milk can be kept in a common refrigerator at the workplace or in a day care center. The US Centers for Disease Control and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration agree that human milk is not among the body fluids that require special handling or storage in a separate container.

How do I heat breast milk?
Microwaving destroys some of the anti-infective properties of the breast milk and may create "hot spots" that could burn your baby. Place the container of milk in a bowl of warm water, or place under the hot water faucet, and heat to room temperature. Your baby may refuse milk straight from the refrigerator, but cold milk is not harmful.

Can I reuse leftover milk?
While there is no research on this topic, many mothers refrigerate milk the baby did not finish and use it at the very next feed. If you have any doubt, discard the milk.· at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours

· in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days

· in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks

· in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.

· in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

I breast fed both of my boys and worked full time. I was told and read that you should warm up the breast milk under hot water from the faucet; however, I know the "grandparents" sometimes heated the water on the stove, then put the bottle in it (not with a flame) to warm it up faster when the baby was screaming! Also, once the baby has used the breast milk, you need to discard any left over. It can carry bacteria. It's liquid gold, but no good once warmed up and used. My advice is that if the baby is eating on a decent schedule, you can take the milk from the freezer and have it start to defrost in the fridge, then heat under faucet and discard any left over.