I remember the first time I was faced with breastfeeding…questions arose that I had never asked myself until then. What flavor will it have? Is the color and texture normal? If the milk is expressed,how long does breast milk last in the fridge? and out of the fridge?
A range of new questions that must be deciphered in order to guarantee the health and nutrition of our babies. That is why today we will talk about the preservation of breast milk once it has been removed. Today this alternative becomes part of the domestic life of many working women who must leave food for their babies ready to be used when needed. To ensure its proper use, it is useful to know the details of caring for breast milk.
breast milk in the fridge
Breast milk is very beneficial for the health of the baby. It is rich in nutrients, minerals and others, which guarantees the protection of the little ones in the first stage of life. On the other hand, it is a natural and very comfortable food for mother and baby as it is always available. Because of its many benefits, many mothers turn to breast milk storage when they can't be around their babies 24 hours a day. So, they use a breast pump and then store it in the fridge.
There are different methods to express breast milk and various storage options. It is best to store breast milk in glass jars or plastic bags designed for breast milk, to ensure its good condition. Some women choose to store their breast milk in the fridge while others choose to freeze it.
All options are viable as long as the standards for the conservation of breast milk are respected. How long does breast milk last at room temperature? doHow long does breast milk last in the fridge? or in the freezer? It is necessary to know the details so as not to make mistakes and that the milk is kept in optimal conditions at the time of ingestion.
Storage of breast milk
If breast milk is to be expressed, the ideal is for the baby to consume it immediately, since breast milk at an average room temperature of 25° or less lasts between 4 to 6 hours at most. That in the case of full-term babies. In the case of premature babies, it must be consumed within an hour after extraction.
In order to "stretch" its durability, one must know how long does breast milk last in the fridge then it can be used with greater elasticity. In this case, it lasts up to 4 days, as long as it is at a temperature of 4° or less and without changes in temperature. It is recommended to store it in a place isolated from other foods and in the coldest area of the fridge so that it preserves all its properties.
If you want to store it for a longer time, it is best to freeze breast milk. In this way, the properties will be guaranteed with absolute security. Once again, it is necessary to be rigorous when it comes to extracting the milk, keeping it in the respective glass containers or perfectly closed breast milk storage bags. So, it is recommended to freeze them in a differentiated area and as long as a temperature of -18 ° or more is ensured. In this way, breast milk can last from 6 to 12 months, if there are no variations in temperature.
Beyond precision about How long does breast milk last in the fridge? or frozen, you must pay attention to both the levels of cold and the methods of storage. Any type of cross-contamination can affect the properties of breast milk. The same when it comes to thawing milk, you must also follow a series of recommendations because breast milk does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature, so a gradual thawing process must be carried out.