15
Guidelines for Storing and Thawing
Breast milk
You should store and thaw your breast milk correctly. This is the
only way you can be sure that all the important nutrients are
preserved and bacterial contamination is minimized.
Check with your hospital for specific instructions.
Breast Milk Storage (For Healthy Term Babies)*
Freshly Expressed
Breast Milk
Thawed Breast Milk
(Previously Frozen)
Room Temperature
Up to 77°F or 25°C;
6-8 hours
6-8 hours; Do not
refreeze after thawing
Insulated Cooler
Bag
(Keep ice packs
in contact with milk
containers at all times;
limit opening the
cooler bag)
5-39°F or -15-4°C; up
to 24 hours
24 hours; Do not
refreeze after thawing
Refrigerator
(Store milk towards
back of the
refrigerator, where
temperature is most
constant)
39°F or 4°C; up to
5 days
10 hours; Do not refreeze
after thawing
Freezer
(Store milk towards
back of the freezer,
where temperature is
most constant)
-4°F or -20°C; 6-12
months
Do not refreeze
after thawing!
*This information is for use as a guideline only. For more information on proper
handling and storage of breastmilk, visit www.fda.gov, www.aap.org, or
www.cdc.gov, or consult your lactation consultant.
