Pumping and expressed breastmilk

How long can I store expressed breastmilk?

• freshly expressed milk can be stored in the fridge in a sterile container for 4 days 
• defrosted milk can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours 
• if frozen it can be stored for 6 months in a freezer, or 6-12 months in a deep freezer 

These time frames are given as a guide but please discuss them with your LMC or LC before you discard any breastmilk. 

Keeping breastmilk in the fridge 

Put the expressed breastmilk in a clean bottle or plastic container with a tight fitting lid. It will keep at room temperature for 4 hours and in the fridge for 4 days. Milk should be stored in the back of the fridge where it is the coldest. Do not add freshly expressed breastmilk to cold expressed milk, store in a separate container. Once the milk is at the same temperature you can combine them however always go off the oldest date. 

Keeping breastmilk in the freezer 

Expressed milk will keep in a freezer box inside the fridge for 2 weeks, freezer for 6 months (stored as far back as possible), or deep freeze for 12 months. The milk will probably separate into layers but when thawed can be mixed again. Do not add freshly expressed milk to already frozen milk as it warms the frozen milk.

Thawing and heating breastmilk 

Place expressed milk in a tightly covered container. Defrost in the refrigerator or by placing the container of milk in warm water until the milk has thawed. An alternate way is to thaw under running luke warm water until thawed and at room temperature. Use the milk immediately and throw away any left over after the feed. It is not safe to reheat or refreeze milk.