In contrast formula must be refrigerated and discarded after the first feeding attempt because it contains no antibodies or infection protection factors.
Breast milk storage room temperature nhs.
Consider these general guidelines for healthy infants.
At room temperature 77 f or colder for up to 4 hours.
For 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge.
Store it in small quantities to avoid wasting any.
Once fully thawed previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
If you need it on the go you can store your refrigerated breast milk for 24 hours in a cool bag or box with ice packs in it.
In a fridge use within 24 hours in a cool bag with an ice pack use within 4 hours at room temperature use within 2 hours.
Don t leave frozen breast milk to defrost at room temperature.
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored.
For healthy full term infants here are the guidelines for keeping breast milk out at room temperature up to 77 degrees f or 25 degrees c.
If made up formula is stored.
Breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container or special storage bags remember to label and date it.
In the fridge for up to 8 days at 4c or lower you can buy fridge thermometers online if you are not sure of the temperature of your fridge or it is higher than 4c use it within 3 days.
Your breast milk can then be kept.
What about storing expressing milk at room temperature.
At the back of the fridge not the door for up to 8 days at 4 c or lower in the ice compartment of the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Breast milk can safely stand at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours and need not be discarded if the first feeding attempt is incomplete.
When defrosting in fridge.
The guidelines for storage of expressed milk at room temperature between 16 25 c vary greatly as studies suggest different optimal times liebert 2017.
In the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours.
How long you can safely keep expressed breast milk depends on the storage method.
How to store breast milk.
Breast milk storage guidelines.
5 days if temperature rises above 4 c after 3 days use within 6 hours or throw away frozen breastmilk.
However it s optimal to use or properly store the breast milk within four hours especially if the room is warm.
Fresh breastmilk including colostrum.
