 Dr.
Ruth Lawrence, professor, author and researcher, serves on
Breastfeeding.com's medical advisory board. Dr. Lawrence is
a professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology at the
University of Rochester. She is also director of the
university's Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center.
Dr. Lawrence has answered many of your questions on pumping and
storing breastmilk. Look for more of Dr. Lawrence's answers
to your questions next week!
Dr. Lawrence is the author of
"Breastfeeding: A Guide
for the Medical Profession," the standard medical reference
book for breastfeeding. She was one of eight doctors who
helped the American Academy of Pediatrics draft its
1997 policy
statement supporting breastfeeding.
 How long does breastmilk stay
good?
| NAME: |
Nancy |
| BABY'S NAME: |
Lindsey |
| BABY'S AGE: |
1 month |
Once
breastmilk has been frozen and thawed, how long does it last in
the fridge and how long does it last at room temperature? Also,
if thawed milk has been used (tube feeding at the breast), can
what is left over be used for the next feeding?
Once
you have frozen and thawed breastmilk and put it in the
refrigerator, we usually say that 24 hours is the limit. Once it
is frozen and thawed, you really shouldn't leave it at room
temperature except for as long as it takes to feed the baby.
The process of freezing and thawing diminishes some of the
protective effects of milk in terms of bacterial contamination.
One example is that freezing and thawing destroys the living
cells in human milk, which are part of the protective mechanism.
Fresh-pumped milk in a clean, covered container, however, will
stay OK for six to eight hours. So, someone who has no
refrigerator at work can take the milk home at the end of the
day and feed the baby immediately, or put it in the freezer.
It
is fine to put this milk into the freezer as long as it is in a
clean container. Part of this has to do with the fat enzymes.
At room temperature the fat is broken down to triglycerides
which change the PH and can make the milk sour if it sits around
longer. This is different from the problem of bacteria
contamination. Actually, the bacteria will be less in number at
eight hours than they were at the time of pumping because of the
protective qualities in the milk. They suppress bacterial
growth. On the other hand, the enzymes get going and six to
eight hours is about the limit of how much activity you want to
let loose. At this time, bacterial counts also start to rise.
Important Disclaimer
This Breastfeeding.com service is designed to help
visitors obtain advice and guidance. You are solely responsible for the
outcome of any services and/or advice you are given.
Breastfeeding.com is not responsible for any services and/or advice
given by the consultants, and shall not be liable or responsible to any
person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have
been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas
contained, suggested, or referenced. Your participation in this service
is solely at your own risk
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