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Nursing mothers often wonder whether breast milk that has been warmed can be put back into the refrigerator or not. Basically, breast milk that has been taken out of the refrigerator or freezer should be consumed by the baby as soon as possible, or at least within 1-2 hours. If more time than that has passed, it is better to discard the remaining breast milk for the safety of your little one. To ensure the nutrients and quality of the breast milk are maintained, let's look at how to store and tips for warming breast milk correctly in the following article!
How to Store Breast Milk in the Refrigerator and Freezer
The method for storing breast milk in the refrigerator and freezer is actually the same. The only difference is the shelf life or storage duration. The shelf life of breast milk in the refrigerator is generally only a matter of days, whereas in the freezer, breast milk can last for a matter of months. So, to avoid mistakes, here are some important things that you must pay attention to when storing breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer.
1. Prepare Storage Containers
Use bottles or breast milk storage bags specifically designed to withstand low temperatures and are safe for use with baby food.
2. Label Each Container
Write the date you pumped the breast milk on each container. This will help in determining the rotation of breast milk usage and ensure your little one consumes the milk that was pumped first.
3. Pay Attention to Refrigerator Temperature
Store fresh breast milk in the refrigerator at a temperature of around 0-4 degrees Celsius. If possible, place it at the back of the shelf to maintain temperature stability. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, depending on the refrigerator temperature and the cleanliness of the storage environment. Ensure the breast milk is not directly exposed to sunlight.
4. Ensure the Freezer Temperature is Correct
If you will not be using the breast milk in the near future, you can store it in the freezer. Make sure the freezer temperature is set to -18 degrees Celsius or lower to maintain its quality.
Breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months or longer, depending on the temperature and quality of the storage container. Be sure to avoid sudden temperature changes that could affect the quality of the breast milk.
5. Priority Setting
Use the oldest breast milk first to ensure proper stock rotation and avoid waste.
6. Thawing Expressed Breast Milk (ASIP)
When you want to use breast milk stored in the freezer, move it to the refrigerator to thaw it slowly. Avoid thawing it at room temperature, as this can reduce the quality of the breast milk.
7. Reuse
If breast milk has been thawed, do not store it back in the freezer. Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours.
Tips for Storing Breast Milk to Maintain Quality
To keep the quality of breast milk maintained, here are some tips that you can follow.
- Store breast milk as soon as possible after pumping to maintain its quality.
- Ensure the cleanliness of all equipment used for pumping and storing breast milk, such as breast milk storage containers and breast pumps.
- Use storage containers specifically designed for breast milk, such as bottles or breast milk storage bags that are resistant to low temperatures and safe for baby food.
- Ensure breast milk storage containers are closed tightly to prevent contamination and loss of nutrients.
- Write the date of expression on each container and use the oldest breast milk first to ensure proper stock rotation.
- Store breast milk in the refrigerator at a temperature of around 0-4 degrees Celsius and in the freezer at a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius or lower.
- Avoid re-warming breast milk that has been warmed previously. Furthermore, breast milk that has been warmed should not be placed back into the refrigerator.
- Do not mix freshly pumped breast milk with breast milk that has already been chilled or frozen, unless you plan to store it again in the freezer.
- Keep breast milk storage containers stable and avoid jolts or vibrations that could damage the structure of the breast milk.
How to Properly Warm Breast Milk
Knowing how to warm breast milk is just as important as knowing how to store it. Therefore, do not make the mistake of thinking breast milk that has been warmed can be put back in the refrigerator. Here are the steps to warm breast milk correctly.
1. Use a Method Suitable for Your Needs
There are several ways to warm breast milk, including using warm water, a baby bottle warmer, or a special breast milk heater. Choose the method that best suits your needs and the availability of equipment.
2. Prepare Equipment
If using a baby bottle warmer or a special breast milk heater, ensure the equipment is clean and sterile before use. However, if you choose the water heating method, prepare a bowl or container with warm water. Ensure the water temperature is not too hot or boiling, so the nutrients in the breast milk are not damaged.
3. Ensure the Breast Milk Storage Container is Tightly Sealed
Place the breast milk container you wish to warm into the warm water. Ensure the container is tightly sealed and no water enters the breast milk container.
4. Avoid Overheating
Avoid heating breast milk until it is too hot or boiling, as this can damage the nutrients and structure of the breast milk. Always check the temperature of the breast milk before giving it to the baby.
5. Heating with a Baby Bottle Warmer
If using a baby bottle warmer, follow the usage instructions provided with the device. Usually, you only need to place the breast milk container inside the warmer and set the desired temperature.
6. Do Not Use a Microwave
Avoid warming breast milk using a microwave because this can cause uneven heating and damage the nutrients and structure of the breast milk.
7. Understand Consumption Duration for Warmed Breast Milk
Once the breast milk is warm, give it to the baby immediately and use it within 1-2 hours. Do not let breast milk that has been warmed sit out for too long at room temperature.
Can Breast Milk That Has Been Warmed Be Put Back in the Refrigerator?
No, it is not recommended to store breast milk that has been warmed back into the refrigerator. When breast milk has been heated, bacteria can grow more rapidly within it. If breast milk has been removed from the refrigerator and warmed, it is recommended to consume it within 2 hours. If it is not consumed within that time, you should discard the unused breast milk.
Storing warmed breast milk back in the refrigerator can increase the risk of unwanted bacterial growth and may cause the breast milk to become unsafe for the baby to consume. Therefore, it is important to only warm the amount of breast milk required and consume it as soon as possible after heating.
Hegen Breastmilk Storage Ensures Breast Milk Quality is Maintained
So, you now understand that breast milk that has been warmed should not be placed back in the refrigerator. This is important to maintain the quality of the breast milk, prevent its nutrients from being damaged, and avoid bacterial growth in the milk.
Besides understanding how to store and warm breast milk, you also need to choose the right breast milk container to ensure its quality is maintained. Hegen Breastmilk Storage is here as the best breast milk storage container product, offering various advantages as follows:
- Made from PPSU material that meets food grade criteria and is FDA certified.
- PPSU material is resistant to extreme temperatures from -18 degrees to 180 degrees Celsius.
- BPA-free, making it safe for your little one.
- Durable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly.
- The storage container can also be used for storing complementary food (MPASI), child snacks, kitchen spices, smoothies, and so on.
- The lid is very secure due to the patented Press-to-Close Twist-to-Open (PCTOTM) feature from the Hegen brand.
- Available in 3 size options: 60 ml, 150ml, and 240ml.
Here is the range of Hegen Breastmilk Storage products that you can choose for storing breast milk, MPASI, child snacks, kitchen spices, and other items.
HEGEN PCTO™ WADAH PENYIMPANAN ASI PPSU 60ML/2OZ (ISI 6)
HEGEN PCTO™ WADAH PENYIMPANAN ASI PPSU 150ML/5OZ (ISI 4)
HEGEN PCTO™ WADAH PENYIMPANAN ASI PPSU 240ML/8OZ (ISI 2)
Untuk menemukan produk ibu dan bayi berkualitas lainnya, Bunda bisa mengunjungi official store Hegen dengan klik di sini.
Referensi:
- Mayo Clinic. Breast milk storage: Do's and don'ts. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-milk-storage/art-20046350
- Donna Murray, RN, BSN. How to Thaw, Warm, and Use Frozen Breast Milk. https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-defrost-breast-milk-431752
