Question about breast milk

[Kelly87]

After you pump and put the milk in a bottle how long is it good for if you dont refrigerate it? For example.. if you pump and put it in bottles to go to the store or out to dinner or something.

[Kelly87]

Thanks! That was very helpful. Im just trying to figure out how many bottles to get and stuff.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

This is from the FDA at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastpumps/milk.html

How long can I store breast milk?
At Room Temperature:

Temperature
Storage Time

60° F
24 hours

66° F to 72° F
10 hours

79° F
4 to 6 hours

86° F to 100° F
4 hours


In the Refrigerator:

Temperature
Storage Time

32° F to 39° F
Up to 8 days


In the Freezer:

Type
Storage Time

Compartment

Contained within a refrigerator
Up to 2 weeks

Self-Contained

Bottom, top mount, side-by-side,
or stand alone freezer
3 to 4 months

Deep Freezer

With a constant 0° F temperature
6 to 12 months


I found this at: http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,484b,00.html

How long can breastmilk be left at room temperature?

Studies have shown that freshly expressed breastmilk can be stored at room temperature, (79 degrees F), for up to six hours, (Hamosh 1996) or at 66 to 72 degrees for up to 10 hours (Barger and Bull 1987). I usually recommend leaving breastmilk at room temperature for no more than four hours. Breastmilk varies from mother to mother, and room temperature is often a subjective measure that varies over time.

[Hope2OneDay]

I would try to use it within 3 hours if I didn't get it in the fridge, but I did hear that it would be good for up to 4 hours. I just didn't want to take that chance. Once we started him on formula, I made sure a bottle was used within two hours or I threw it away.

[JoyRenee]

Some say up to 4 hours (since your breasts naturally keep the milk warm anyway). But personally I used them within one hour. You could pack an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack and the bottle(s) to keep it more fresh (this is what I do with regular milk as well).