How long can breast milk stay out of the fridge?

Breast milk can be left out of the refrigerator for up to 4 hours after collection or for up to 1 to 2 hours when at room temperature or warm, if it has been thawed for use.

To store milk correctly, it is important to use appropriate containers, such as breast milk bags or resistant, BPA-free glass bottles, in addition to being careful when expressing, storing and using the milk, to avoid contamination. See how to express breast milk.

It is important to write down the date and time the milk was removed, especially when it is placed in the freezer or in the refrigerator, to have better control of the consumption period. Furthermore, some precautions, such as avoiding storing milk in the freezer or refrigerator door, help to preserve the milk for longer.

How long does breast milk last

The shelf life of breast milk varies depending on the storage location:

• Out of the fridge (ambient temperature of 25ºC or less): up to 4 hours, if the milk is recently collected, and up to 1 to 2 hours, for milk that was frozen;
• Refrigerator (temperature of 4ºC): up to 4 days, for recently collected milk, and a maximum of 24 hours, if the milk has been defrosted;
• Freezer or freezer (temperature of -18ºC or less): up to 6 to 12 months, if the milk is recently collected, but ideally it should be consumed within 6 months. Once thawed, milk should not be frozen again;
• Thermal bag with ice: up to 24 hours, as a temporary option for smaller trips or trips, for example.

So that the milk can be preserved for longer, it is important that the collection is done in bags suitable for storing breast milk or using glass or plastic bottles with airtight closures and made of BPA-free material.

Furthermore, you should avoid storing milk in the refrigerator or freezer door to protect the milk from variations in temperature and, if frozen, be careful that the container is not completely full, as the milk can expand during freezing. . Find out how breast milk is stored.

How to thaw breast milk

There are options for defrosting breast milk:

• Remove the milk from the freezer or freezer, leaving it in the refrigerator overnight;
• Place the container with milk in a bowl of warm water until it is at room temperature;
• Leave the container with milk in contact with warm running water.

​​​Frozen milk should not be heated in the microwave because it can become too hot for the baby and lose its quality, making it ideal to heat the milk in a bain-marie.

How long does milk last after defrosting

After defrosting, the milk must be used within 2 hours, when at room temperature or warm, or within 24 hours, if defrosting is being done in the refrigerator, counting from the moment it is completely defrosted.

Once defrosted, the milk should not be frozen again and, therefore, it is recommended to store it in small containers to avoid waste.

Furthermore, it is not recommended to freeze leftovers, which can still be consumed within 2 hours of eating or should be discarded.