Have you found yourself wondering how long breast milk really keeps in the refrigerator? And how do you know if it’s losing nutrients just sitting there?
Thanks to a new small study, you might have some of those answers.
Researchers from North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York found that breast milk can be stored at 39 degrees F for 96 hours without compromising the integrity of the milk. The researchers tested the milk for bacterial levels, beneficial fatty acids and protein, as well as acidity at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. They found very minimal changes taking place when breast milk is stored at 39 degree F for up to 96 hours.
Storing Breast Milk
While breast milk may keep longer, it’s best to use within 96 hours. Milk should be stored in clean glass containers. If you use a plastic container, make sure it’s free of BPA. One option is BPA-free breast milk bags from medela. However, Mayo Clinic doesn’t recommend plastic bags for long-term breast milk storage as they may become contaminated more easily.
Breast milk should be labeled with the date and stored at 39 degrees F or colder. To help avoid waste, store milk in single serving sizes, up to 4 ounces. Leftover breast milk not consumed during a feeding should be discarded to avoid risk of bacterial contamination. According to Mayo Clinic, it’s safe to add newly expressed milk to milk expressed the same day if you chill it for one hour before adding to the other container. However, milk expressed on different days should be stored in separate containers.
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