Breast milk is a valuable source of nutrition for babies. It is filled with essential nutrients and antibodies that can help boost a baby’s immune system. However, there may be instances where breast milk needs to be refrigerated again after it has already been taken out of the fridge. In this guide, we will explore whether it is safe to re-refrigerate breast milk and provide you with some useful tips to ensure the quality and safety of your baby’s milk.
Understanding Breast Milk Storage
Breast milk storage is crucial to maintain its quality and prevent bacterial growth. When you express breast milk, it is important to handle it with care to ensure that it remains safe for your little one. Freshly expressed breast milk can remain at room temperature for up to four hours, but it is best to refrigerate it as soon as possible.
Refrigerating Breast Milk
Once breast milk has been refrigerated, it can be kept safely for up to four days in the main compartment of a refrigerator, away from the door. The temperature of the fridge should be set at or below 4°C (39°F) to keep bacteria growth at bay. It is best to store breast milk in clean, sterilized containers that are specifically designed for breast milk storage.
Can You Re-Refrigerate Breast Milk?
The question arises, can you re-refrigerate breast milk? The answer is yes, you can. Contrary to popular belief, it is absolutely safe to re-refrigerate breast milk, as long as certain precautions are taken.
Proper Handling of Re-Refrigerated Breast Milk
If you need to re-refrigerate breast milk, you should first ensure that it has been stored correctly in the fridge. If the milk has stayed out at room temperature for more than four hours, it is advisable to discard it rather than re-refrigerate. The reason behind this is that bacteria might have already grown to unsafe levels, making it unsafe for your baby.
When re-refrigerating breast milk, use clean hands and sterilized equipment to transfer the milk into a new container. This helps to reduce the risk of contamination and maintains the quality of the milk. It is also important to label the container with the date and time of expression to keep track of its freshness.
Thawed Breast Milk
Another scenario where re-refrigeration comes into play is when thawed breast milk is only partially used. If your baby does not finish a bottle of thawed breast milk within an hour, it is advisable to discard the remaining milk rather than re-refrigerate it.
Once breast milk has been thawed, bacteria starts to grow rapidly, and re-refrigeration will not stop this process. So, to ensure the safety of your baby, it is always best to discard any leftover thawed breast milk after one hour at room temperature.
How to Safely Reheat Breast Milk
Now that we have established that it is safe to re-refrigerate breast milk, let’s delve into the proper ways to reheat it. It is essential to reheat breast milk properly to prevent nutrient loss and minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.
Avoid Using Microwaves
Microwaves can result in uneven heating and the formation of hot spots in breast milk, which can scald your baby’s mouth. Instead, gently warm the refrigerated breast milk by placing the container in a bowl of warm water or running it under warm water. Avoid using boiling water or hot water taps, as these can destroy the essential nutrients present in breast milk.
Never Reheat More Than Once
It is important to note that breast milk should only be reheated once. Repeated heating and cooling can lead to nutrient loss and increase the risk of bacterial contamination. Therefore, it is crucial to pour out the amount of breast milk that your baby will consume to avoid wastage and ensure the freshness of the remaining milk.
Check the Temperature
Always test the temperature of the reheated breast milk before feeding it to your baby. Drip a few drops of milk on the inside of your wrist to ensure that it is not too hot. Breast milk should be fed to your baby at body temperature, or around 37°C (98.6°F). If the milk is too hot, let it cool down before offering it to your little one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, re-refrigerating breast milk is safe as long as proper precautions are taken. It is important to handle breast milk carefully, following the recommended storage guidelines. While re-refrigeration is permissible, remember to discard any breast milk that has been left at room temperature for more than four hours or thawed milk that has been sitting out for over an hour. By practicing proper handling and storage, you can ensure that your baby receives safe and nutritious breast milk.