For 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge.
Breast milk storage room temperature nhs.
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored.
Breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container or special storage bags remember to label and date it.
In a fridge use within 24 hours in a cool bag with an ice pack use within 4 hours at room temperature use within 2 hours.
Breast milk can safely stand at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours and need not be discarded if the first feeding attempt is incomplete.
In contrast formula must be refrigerated and discarded after the first feeding attempt because it contains no antibodies or infection protection factors.
Never store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not intended for storing breast milk.
What about storing expressing milk at room temperature.
In the fridge for up to 8 days at 4c or lower you can buy fridge thermometers online if you are not sure of the temperature of your fridge or it is higher than 4c use it within 3 days.
The guidelines for storage of expressed milk at room temperature between 16 25 c vary greatly as studies suggest different optimal times liebert 2017.
Consider these general guidelines for healthy infants.
If made up formula is stored.
When defrosting in fridge.
Store it in small quantities to avoid wasting any.
At room temperature 77 f or colder for up to 4 hours.
Fresh breastmilk including colostrum.
Don t leave frozen breast milk to defrost at room temperature.
Your breast milk can then be kept.
Alternatively hold the bottle or bag of frozen milk under warm running water a maximum of 37 c or 99 f.
5 days if temperature rises above 4 c after 3 days use within 6 hours or throw away frozen breastmilk.
At the back of the fridge not the door for up to 8 days at 4 c or lower in the ice compartment of the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How long you can safely keep expressed breast milk depends on the storage method.
Once fully thawed previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
For healthy full term infants here are the guidelines for keeping breast milk out at room temperature up to 77 degrees f or 25 degrees c.
Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours.
However it s optimal to use or properly store the breast milk within four hours especially if the room is warm.
Breast milk storage guidelines.
If you need it on the go you can store your refrigerated breast milk for 24 hours in a cool bag or box with ice packs in it.
