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Breast milk is a valuable source of nutrients for babies in their first years of life. However, if not stored properly, breast milk can easily lose nutrients and spoil, and can even cause babies to vomit, have diarrhea, etc. So, how long can expressed breast milk be left out? What is the proper way to store breast milk?
How long can expressed breast milk be left out?
Many parents who choose to breastfeed often have questions such as how long expressed breast milk can be left out? How many hours can breast milk be left at room temperature?
According to reputable organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, and the National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam, the ideal storage time for breast milk at room temperature is determined as follows:
After expressing, breast milk can be left at a temperature between 25°C and 35°C for about 6 to 8 hours. If stored in the refrigerator compartment at 4°C, breast milk can be kept for 3 to 5 days. If stored in the freezer compartment, it can be kept for 3 months.
If stored in a dedicated freezer at a temperature below -18°C, breast milk can be stored for up to 6 months. To ensure hygiene and safety for the baby, parents should carefully check the smell, taste, and appearance of the milk before feeding it to their baby. Spoiled milk can cause digestive problems and may lead to diarrhea.
How long can expressed breast milk be left out? If stored at room temperature, breast milk can be used within 6-8 hours.
How to store breast milk without spoiling or losing nutrients
After answering the question of how many hours expressed breast milk can be left out, let’s continue to learn how to store breast milk to retain all its nutrients and prevent spoilage.
How to properly store breast milk after expressing
To ensure that the milk expressed for your baby retains its nutrients, store it in dedicated breast milk storage bags or BPA-free glass or plastic bottles. Ensure that all milk storage containers are thoroughly cleaned before use.
Once prepared, carefully label the bottles or bags with the volume and time of expression. This helps parents easily monitor and organize breast milk effectively.
Finally, arrange the bags and bottles of milk logically in the refrigerator compartment and then transfer them to the freezer. The goal is to avoid milk stagnation and waste.
Breast milk storage bags are specialized tools that help parents store breast milk optimally and prevent bacterial contamination.
In addition, to maintain hygiene and prevent cross-contamination, wrap the storage bags or bottles. Milk stored in the freezer may expand in volume and leak, so leave a small amount of space at the top of the bag or bottle.
How to warm and thaw breast milk
If breast milk is stored in the refrigerator compartment, preparing it for the baby is quite simple. Parents just need to let the milk naturally reach room temperature and then warm it up for the baby to drink.
If breast milk is frozen in the freezer compartment, the preparation process will require a few more steps. First, transfer the milk from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment to thaw for about 12-24 hours.
Once the milk is completely thawed, parents can warm it to 40°C using a sterilizer and warmer or by placing the bottle in warm water. After ensuring the milk has reached the appropriate temperature, shake it well and check the temperature before feeding it to the baby.
Before feeding your baby, thaw and warm the breast milk to 40°C.
Important notes when storing and warming breast milk
To express and store breast milk properly, parents should note the following:
- Mothers must thoroughly clean and sterilize both the breast pump and milk storage containers.
- Do not re-store leftover milk from a feeding or mix it with freshly expressed milk to ensure hygiene and the baby’s health.
- Do not overheat the bottle warmer or use a microwave to warm milk. This will destroy the nutrients in breast milk.
- Never give a baby breast milk that shows signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell, fermentation, or lumps.
- Parents should purchase breast pumps and warmers from reputable retailers like Kidsplaza to ensure product quality and enjoy good prices.
Hopefully, this article has answered the question “How long can expressed breast milk be left out?” as well as how to store and warm breast milk properly to retain all its nutrients. With this helpful information, we hope that parents can take care of their baby’s health in the best possible way.
See more:
- Is it okay to warm breast milk for 2 hours?
- Top 8 best and safe baby bottle warmers
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