How long can breast milk be stored in the refrigerator?
Disease description:
I need to go back to work and want to use a breast pump to express my breast milk and freeze it in the refrigerator. How long can breast milk be stored in the refrigerator?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
The storage time of breast milk depends on the storage conditions:
1. At room temperature (about 25°C), freshly expressed breast milk can be safely stored for 4-6 hours.
2. Stored in a refrigerator's chilling compartment (about 4°C), it can be preserved for 3-5 days, but it is best consumed within 24 hours.
3. If breast milk is stored in a freezer compartment within the refrigerator, its shelf life can be extended up to 15 days.
4. Stored in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator with frequent door opening and closing, it may be kept for approximately 90-120 days; in a deep freezer where the temperature remains below 0°C and the door is opened infrequently, it can be stored for more than six months.
Before each use, frozen breast milk should be thawed to room temperature first; direct heating should be avoided to prevent damage to its nutritional components. Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours and is not recommended for refreezing. Also, regardless of the storage method, contamination of breast milk must be avoided, and timely consumption is advised to ensure freshness and nutrition.
