Why cant thawed breastmilk be refrozen

Learn more. Why aren't we allowed to refreeze previously thawed breastmilk in refrigerator? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 11 months ago. Active 2 years, 3 months ago. Viewed 30k times. Improve this question. All the good things that make breast milk useful for infants growth factors, hormones, antibodies, etc will be destroyed by freeze-thaws.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. Is harmful? The nutrients are still there and if its been frozen after only a short period there shouldn't be too much bacterial growth, but if you think food should be appetizing to be healthy you might not completely feel its as good as if it hadn't been refrozen.

On a molecular scale there could be some differences; if I was having lactovegans over for dinner I'd throw it out. Using waterproof labels and ink, label each container with the date you expressed the breast milk. If you're storing expressed milk at your baby's child care facility, add your baby's name to the label. Place the containers in the back of the refrigerator or freezer, where the temperature is the coolest.

If you don't have access to a refrigerator or freezer, store the milk temporarily in an insulated cooler with ice packs. Fill individual containers with the milk your baby will need for one feeding. You might start with 2 to 4 ounces 60 to milliliters , and then adjust as needed.

Also consider storing smaller portions — 1 to 2 ounces 30 to 60 milliliters — for unexpected situations or delays in regular feedings. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so don't fill containers to the brim. You can add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk. However, thoroughly cool the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.

Don't add warm breast milk to frozen breast milk because it will cause the frozen milk to partially thaw. How long you can safely keep expressed breast milk depends on the storage method. Consider these general guidelines for healthy infants:. Keep in mind that research suggests that the longer you store breast milk — whether in the refrigerator or in the freezer — the greater the loss of vitamin C in the milk.

It's also important to note that your breast milk changes to meet your baby's needs. Breast milk expressed when a baby is a newborn won't as completely meet the same baby's needs when he or she is a few months older. Also, storage guidelines might differ for preterm, sick or hospitalized infants. Thaw the oldest milk first. Place the frozen container in the refrigerator the night before you intend to use it. You can also gently warm the milk by placing it under warm running water or in a bowl of warm water.

Don't heat a frozen bottle in the microwave or very quickly on the stove. Small amounts of expressed milk may be added to the same refrigerated container, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand.

Store breast milk in the coldest part of the fridge — at the back, on the shelf above the vegetable compartment. How to store breast milk in the freezer 2,3 Read on for how to freeze breast milk safely: Freeze your breast milk as soon as possible after expressing.

Expressed milk may be added to already frozen breast milk, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand. For easier thawing and minimal wastage, store your milk in small portions less than 60 ml. These can be combined after defrosting.

Check that your breast milk storage containers can be used in the freezer — some products such as glass bottles may crack at very low temperatures. Store frozen breast milk at the back of the freezer where the temperature is most consistent. Keep it away from the walls of self-defrosting freezers. Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

These can damage its nutritional and protective properties and create hot spots that could scald your baby. Thawed breast milk left at room temperature should be fed to your baby within two hours or thrown away. Never re-freeze breast milk once thawed. How to warm your stored breast milk 2,3 Healthy, full-term babies can drink breast milk at room temperature or warmed to body temperature. That said, you can warm up water in a bowl in the microwave and then place your container in that warm not boiling water.

British parenting organization First 1, Days says there is no scientific evidence that milk straight from the fridge hurts the nutritional content or digestive properties of breast milk. If your milk spoils, there will be a distinct foul odor.

Stored milk often separates into fatty and non-fatty layers, but if it remains chunky when swirled, it may have gone bad. A slightly metallic or soapy odor coming from stored milk, however, is related to higher levels of the lipase enzyme; although this enzyme is not harmful, many babies do not like how this milk tastes when thawed.

If your milk has high lipase, scald it before freezing to eliminate the soapy taste. BraveMom Tip: Test a couple containers of your thawed milk before freezing large volumes, just in case you have high lipase milk.

We hope this information helped answer your breast milk storage questions. Be sure to download the infographic below; print it out and put it on your fridge! We know what a commitment an act of love, really pumping is, and we want it to be as comfortable and productive a part of your breastfeeding journey as possible.

Successfully storing your liquid gold will ensure your baby gets the perfect food for him or her. Please note that these suggestions are for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.

They are also intended for healthy, full-term infants; if your baby is premature or immunocompromised, other storage guidelines may be indicated. Related Posts. Like pregnancy and delivery, breastfeeding is a unique experience with every child, Kindred Bravely strives to bring comfort and functionality to moms, and with