La Leche League Updates Breast Milk Storage Guidelines
June 12, 2008 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breast milk, breastfeeding, pumping
In keeping with its efforts to remain the world’s foremost expert source of breastfeeding information, La Leche League has updated its breast milk storage guidelines:
The amount, techniques, and interpretation of the existing research on human milk storage vary widely. After a careful review of the literature with the assistance of members of the La Leche League International Health Advisory Council and Anne Eglash, MD, FAAFP, FABM, the guidelines that follow provide evidence based ranges for the storage of milk that will be given to full-term, healthy babies.
Where: At room temperature (fresh milk)
Temperature: 66° to 78°F (19° to 26°C)
Time: 4 hours (ideal) up to 6 hours (acceptable)*
(Some sources use 8 hours)
* The preference is to refrigerate or chill milk right after it is expressed.
* * * * *
Where: In a refrigerator
Temperature: < 39°F (< 4°C)
Time: 72 hours (ideal) up to 8 days (acceptable)**
** Eight days acceptable if collected in a very clean, careful way.
* * * * *
Where: In a freezer
Temperature: -0.4° to -4°F (-18° to -20°C)
Time: 6 months (ideal) up to 12 months (acceptable)
Interesting! Did they distinguish between regular and deep freezers? Is it up somewhere on their site (I looked but couldn’t find anything)?
- Tanya
Tanya, the information comes from a tear-off sheet called “Storing Human Milk.” It can be obtained from La Leche League Leaders (make sure you confirm it is the most recent version, dated June 2008). The new guidelines do not distinguish between regular freezers and deep freezers.
I pumped milk and put in the frig, then I warmed it and gave to my baby. Can I reuse that milk if I put it back in the frig?
Hi Jennifer,
Check out this resource for the answer:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/lawrence_anwers1.html#reuse
See also:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/reusing-expressedmilk.html