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Breastfeeding directly from the breast is best because it has no risk of bacterial contamination, unlike expressed breast milk (EBM) which must be pumped and stored in special containers. However, some mothers are forced to feed their babies expressed breast milk for various reasons, for example, the mother is separated from a premature baby, the mother is hospitalized, the mother has to return to work, or the breasts feel full when the baby is asleep. Generally, expressed breast milk is stored in a refrigerator so it does not spoil quickly, but if you intend to give it in the near future, you can leave it at room temperature. Roughly how long does breast milk last at room temperature? Let's take a look at the detailed explanation below.
How Long Does Breast Milk Last at Room Temperature?
You may not know that expressed breast milk can actually be stored at room temperature. However, the storage duration can only last for a few hours. Things to note when you want to store EBM at room temperature are ensuring the storage container is sterile, in a dry condition, and preferably made of food-grade glass/plastic material.
Regarding how long breast milk lasts at room temperature, this depends on the temperature of your home. Generally, EBM can last for 4 to 8 hours at room temperature of 16 to 26 degrees Celsius, while at a room temperature of 27 to 32 degrees Celsius, expressed breast milk can last for a period of 3 to 4 hours.
Ideally, expressed breast milk should only be stored for 3 to 4 hours at room temperature. If you want to build a breast milk stash or store expressed breast milk for a longer period, you should put the EBM in the refrigerator or freezer.
Breast Milk Storage Duration
As previously mentioned, to extend the shelf life of breast milk, you can store it in a refrigerator or freezer. Now, here is a summarized guide on storing expressed breast milk and the duration of storage that you should understand.
1. Room Temperature
Expressed breast milk can be stored at room temperature for 4-8 hours at a room temperature of 16 to 26 degrees Celsius and 3 to 4 hours at a room temperature of 27 to 32 degrees Celsius. To maintain the quality of breast milk, it is better if the EBM container is kept cold by wrapping it in a cold cloth/towel.
2. Cooler Bag
Storing EBM in a cooler bag can last for 24 hours. Generally, the temperature in a cooler bag ranges from -15 to 4 degrees Celsius. For mothers who are working or bringing EBM on a trip home/vacation, it is necessary to pay attention to the correct breast milk storage duration. Also, ensure that ice cubes or ice gel packs are touching the EBM container at all times so that the milk does not spoil quickly.
3. Refrigerator
EBM stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius only lasts for 5 days. Store breast milk at the back of the refrigerator and avoid placing it in the refrigerator door.
4. Freezer
- Freezer of a 1-door refrigerator with a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius can store breast milk for 2 weeks.
- Freezer of a 2-door refrigerator with a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius can store EBM for a duration of 3-6 months.
- Deep freezer with a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius can maintain EBM for 6-12 months.
Things to Consider When Storing EBM
Besides understanding the correct duration of EBM storage, there are many other important things that you must pay attention to when storing expressed breast milk, here is the review.
- Use BPA-free breast milk containers because BPA contamination in expressed breast milk will endanger the child's health.
- Ensure the breast milk storage area is clean, dry, and airtight. Choose glass, hard plastic material, or special plastic bags to store breast milk.
- Use hard plastic/glass breast milk containers for long-term storage and choose special plastic bags for a maximum shelf life of 72 hours.
- Label the date and time on the expressed breast milk storage container to distinguish old and new breast milk stock.
- Avoid storing EBM together with other food ingredients.
- Expressed breast milk that has been warmed and given to the baby should not be stored again if there is any leftover.
- Do not warm breast milk in a microwave because it will damage the antibodies in the mother's milk.
Hopefully, the explanation above can answer the question about how long breast milk lasts at room temperature. As discussed previously, an important thing you need to pay attention to in storing breast milk is choosing EBM containers made of BPA-free hard plastic/glass material.
We recommend the HEGEN PCTO™ BREAST MILK STORAGE PPSU which you can use to store expressed breast milk. The breast milk storage from Hegen is made of PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) material which combines the advantages of glass and plastic materials.
PPSU is a type of hard plastic material that is BPA-free, FDA-certified, and widely used in the manufacture of medical equipment. Interestingly, the breastmilk storage product from Hegen has high temperature resistance ranging from -18°C to 180°C. Even the usage duration of this product can reach 1 to 2 years!
Breastmilk storage from Hegen is also equipped with a Press to Close, Twist to OpenTM (PCTOTM) feature that makes it easier for you to open the EBM container lid without fear of the milk spilling.
Not only that, this product is also superior thanks to the express-store-feed feature because it can directly collect breast milk from the breast pump, store the EBM, and be used as a feeding bottle. So, you can express, store, and feed the little one with breast milk in one container at once.
Breastmilk storage from Hegen is available in 3 sizes: 60 ml, 150 ml, and 240 ml, which you can choose as follows.
References:
- IDAI. Penyimpanan ASI Perah. https://www.idai.or.id/artikel/klinik/asi/penyimpanan-asi-perah
- Annisa Karnesyia. Daya Tahan dan Lama Waktu Penyimpanan ASI Perah yang Bunda Perlu Tahu. https://www.haibunda.com/menyusui/20210428104330-54-209372/daya-tahan-dan-lama-waktu-penyimpanan-asi-perah-yang-bunda-perlu-tahu
- Dinno Baskoro, Sekar Langit Nariswari. Berapa Lama ASI Bisa Bertahan di Suhu Ruang? https://lifestyle.kompas.com/read/2023/06/17/135844120/berapa-lama-asi-bisa-bertahan-di-suhu-ruang?
