What are the current milk storage guidelines?
Use this chart as a basic guide for storing your milk.
| Storage Time for Human Milk* |
Deep Freeze (0°F/ -18°C) |
Refrigerator Freezer (variable 0°F/-18°C) |
Refrigerator (39°F/4°C) |
Cooler with Ice Packs Frozen (59°F/15°C) |
Room Temperature | |
|
(19°C-22°C) |
(22°C-26°C) |
|||||
| Fresh | Up to 12 Months | 3-4 Months | 8 Days | 24 Hours | 6-10 Hours | 4 Hours |
| Frozen, Thawed in Fridge | Do Not Refreeze | Do Not Refreeze | 24 Hours | Do Not Store | 4 Hours | 4 Hours |
| Thawed, Warmed, Not Fed | Do Not Refreeze | Do Not Refreeze | 4 Hours | Do Not Store | Until Feeding Ends | Until Feeding Ends |
| Warmed, Fed | Discard | Discard | Discard | Discard | Until Feeding Ends | Until Feeding Ends |
Milk should not spoil before the times listed above, but the longer milk is stored, the more nutritional value is lost.
The living parts of a mother's milk kill bacteria, making it much hardier and longer-lasting.
This is general information and does not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away.
Every baby is different, and your baby may not be average.
If in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.
* Storage times may vary for premature or sick babies. Sources: Jones, F. and M.R.. Tully, Best Practice for Expressing, Storing and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes and Child Care Settings. Raleigh, NC: Human Milk Banking Association of North America, 2006; Mohrbacher, N. and J. Stock, The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League International, 2003.
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