Storing breast milk safely
Expressing milk is real work. A few simple storage habits help every precious drop count.
General storage times (freshly expressed)
- Room temperature (≤ 25°C / 77°F): up to 4 hours.
- Refrigerator (≤ 4°C / 40°F): up to 4 days.
- Freezer (≤ −18°C / 0°F): 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.
- Thawed (previously frozen): 1–2 hours at room temperature, up to 24 hours in the fridge — and never refreeze.
A special note for NICU and very premature babies
Babies in the NICU or born very early often need stricter handling times. Always follow your hospital’s specific guidance for your baby.
Handy habits
- Label each container with the date.
- Store in small amounts to avoid waste.
- Cool fresh milk before adding it to already-chilled milk.
This is general guidance, not medical advice. Your lactation consultant or care team can tailor it to you.
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