How Long Is Breast Milk Good For After Pumping?

Women who pump breast milk daily for their newborns see it as liquid gold. A considerable amount of time and diligence goes into procuring that milk for your little bundle of joy. Nobody wants even a single drop to be wasted. So, what will happen if you forget the bottle of breast milk on the counter in the kitchen? For how long will the breast milk be unspoiled before it’s no longer healthy for your little one? In this guide, we will share everything about storage and when to throw it out.

How Long Can Pumped Milk Sit Out?

Whether you use a pumping bra or hand-express breast milk, you’ll have to store it afterwards. Remember to wash your hands before starting it, and always use a sterilized, covered container made of glass or BPA-free plastic. Some companies make specific plastic bags/bottles for breast milk storage. You should not use common plastic bags or cap liners due to the risk of contamination. It totally depends on your storage method and how long the milk will be good to feed. Proper storage is essential so you can maintain both nutritional value and the anti-infection properties in the milk.

The right method is to store it in the refrigerator or cool breast milk immediately after the pump. The CDC (national public health agency of the United States) releases these guidelines for pumped milk storage:

• Freshly pumped breast milk at the room temperature of 77°F (25°C) can stay fresh for up to 4 hours. But the milk should be in a sealed container. It can last up to 4 days in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F (4°C). At last, it can survive 6 to 12 months in the freezer at a temperature of 0°F (-18°C).

• In this scenario, if the breast milk pumped with the help of a pump bra has already been frozen, once thawed, it can only endure for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature. Also, if you have stored thawed milk in the refrigerator, feed it to your baby within 24 hours. Never put frozen breast milk back into the freezer.

• If the kid does not finish the bottle, throw away the milk after 2 hours.

The above-given guidelines are meant for healthy, full-term babies. If you are pumping milk and your baby is hospitalized, has health complications, or was born early, you should consult your doctor.

Why You Shouldn’t Leave Breast Milk Out Too Long?

Breast milk that’s preserved for a long duration, either in the refrigerator or the freezer, will eventually lose vitamin C. Also, keep in mind that the woman’s breast milk changes according to the baby’s needs. If some pumped breast milk is left after the feeding, you may wonder if you can use it for the next session. It is recommended that the leftover breast milk should be discarded because as it passes 2 hours, the risk of bacterial infection increases.

Again, it’s a reminder: after wearing the handsfree pump bra to pump milk, if by any chance you left it open for more than 4 hours, it will expire and should be disposed of, regardless of the fact that it’s been utilized in feeding or not.

Storage Tips for Pumped Breast Milk

We have outlined some of the best practices for storing pumped breast milk:

• Measure the stored breast milk with clear labels on the bottle or the container and mention the date on them. Use tags and markers that are both waterproof and can have your baby’s full name if you are storing pumped breast milk at the baby’s daycare center.

• Keep the pumped milk at the back of the fridge or freezer. It is the place where the temperature is the coldest. If you can't immediately put expressed milk in the refrigerator or freezer, you can use an insulated cooler.

• Try to store pumped breast milk in small-sized containers or packets. Breast milk not only expands when frozen, but you'll also contribute to a decrease in the quantity of breast milk that is wasted following a feeding. Wear only a high-quality pumping bra like the Skye pump bra.

• You can mix the freshly expressed milk with frozen or chilled breast milk, but it must be from the same day. Before adding the fresh milk to the already chilled or frozen milk, let it cool completely (you can place it in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs).

In a Nutshell

The storage of breast milk is not a complicated process. By following simple guidelines for room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing, you can always feed your baby fresh milk. After reading this blog, if you're still unsure about anything, you can reach out to a lactation consultant or pediatrician. Brands like Lovemere, which supports mothers through pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding, understand these daily challenges and offer practical essentials to make this journey a bit easier.