Aa
question about breast milk
im not due until december but im hoping to breast feed my baby but im worried the baby wnt latch on as my daughter didnt. so ive got a breast pump just in case but i was wondering if breast milk can go in the firdge and get warmed up when its needed and if it can go in the fridge how long can it stay in there for. and how would you warm it up (microwave or in jug of boiling water)
Everyone gave very good advice but I just wanted to say that you shouldn't be to worried about not being able to breastfeed. My friends first son was tongue tied and couldn't do it, her second son had almost a hairlip and was unable to but her 3rd child has breastfed successfully!! There is hope!! :)
This information is from breastmilkguidelines.com I have it on a magnet on the side of my fridge.
Freshly expressed breastmilk storage guidelines- milk will stay fresh at room temperature for 4-6 hours at 66 to 78 degrees. In a cooler with ice packs for 24 hours at 59 degrees. In the refrigerator for 3-8 days at 39 degrees or lower. In the freezer for 6-12 months at 0-4 degrees. Once you thaw breastmilk it needs to be used within 24 hours.
I would pull freezer packs out and let them warm up in the fridge over about a 24 hour period and then put in a cup with warm water before feeding the baby. Your better off if you can get the baby to drink the milk at room temperature because then you don't have to deal with trying to make it too warm. Good luck.
Freshly expressed breastmilk storage guidelines- milk will stay fresh at room temperature for 4-6 hours at 66 to 78 degrees. In a cooler with ice packs for 24 hours at 59 degrees. In the refrigerator for 3-8 days at 39 degrees or lower. In the freezer for 6-12 months at 0-4 degrees. Once you thaw breastmilk it needs to be used within 24 hours.
I would pull freezer packs out and let them warm up in the fridge over about a 24 hour period and then put in a cup with warm water before feeding the baby. Your better off if you can get the baby to drink the milk at room temperature because then you don't have to deal with trying to make it too warm. Good luck.
megan, GA gave you very good info. Also wanted to let you know that there is also a breastfeeding forum, if you are interested. I wish you luck! I have breastfed all 6 of mine and will BF this one as well.
You can store breastmilk in the fridge for a few days, you can freeze it for 5-6 months. Freshly expressed milk is safe at room temperature for a few hours as long as it is in a sealed container. If you freeze it you should let it thaw in the refrigerator over night. To heat it up you would need to use hot water. DO NOT microwave it, this destroys the nutrients in it. I always filled a mug with really hot water and set the bottle in it until it was warm. If you freeze it make sure to put it in an approved freezer storage container made for breastmilk.
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