How long can you leave breast milk in the fridge?
Have you ever wondered how long you can leave your pumped breast milk in the fridge?
It seems like everywhere you look online or in breastfeeding books you will get a different answer. The leading authorities on all things breast milk, La Leche League, say it is safe to store breast milk in the refrigerator for seventy-two hours for maximum freshness but that up to eight days is acceptable.
You have about four hours to get your breast milk into the refrigerator after pumping, however, if you need a bit more time six hours is considered acceptable. Interestingly, breastmilk left out of the fridge has more immune factors after 8 hours.
If you need to store the breast milk longer than seventy-two hours you should put it in a container that is appropriate for the freezer and then freeze it. Breast milk can be frozen for six months, which is ideal, or up to twelve months if necessary.
Tags: pumping