Breast Milk - Saint Peters, MO

I breastfed my son who is now 10 years old for 18 months. I personally would toss it. Better safe than sorry.

V.

Lucky for you, it's breastmilk and doesn't get yucky that fast. Check out www.kellymom.com, (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/reusing-expressedmilk....) for more exact times, but you would probably not need to discard this (liquid gold) is what we called it! A great way to freeze milk is to put it in ice cube trays, measure first, but most hold about 2 tablespoons, which I think makes an ounce. Once frozen, you can put them in ziplocks, tupperware and get out what you need when you need it. Smaller quantities make it easier to defrost and you don't have to worry about waste. WOO HOO to you for breastfeeding! Keep up the great work!

"Breastmilk can safely stand at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours and need not be discarded if the first feeding attempt is incomplete. In contrast, formula must be refrigerated and discarded after the first feeding attempt because it contains no antibodies or infection protection factors." - Ruth Lawrence, MD She also states it can be warmed twice safely.

It's ok for up to 4 hours per my lactation consultant. I would probably try to refrigerate it and use it within 3 days if it were me thugh as freezing compromises the milk and it will then have less nutrients.
L.

I was told it's alright to let it sit out for up to 4 hours. If I have a bottle out for less than 4 hours and my son doesn't drink it then I stick it back in the fridge. I've also been told that BM last for up to 1 week in the fridge. I wouldn't, however, freeze it. I only freeze fresh milk or milk that's been in the fridge for less than 3 days.

Since you left it out at room temp for about two hours, it needs to be discarded. It's okay if it sits out for half hour or so, but much longer than that, I would discard it.

K.
I used to pump milk for my son, I believe that I discarded the milk if it sat out for a long period of time to be on the safe side.I hope this helps to answer your question. I feel you can't be too safe when it comes to your children.
J.

I say discard it, if you pumped it then froze it right away thats ok, but seeing it was left out then put in the refrigerator, time to pitch it.

HI. I am currently pumping and I have been in that same situation. Brestmilk is good for up to four hours at room temperature, per my doctor, lactation consultatnt, la leche league and many articles and books. HOwever, I would not freeze it, I would just save it in the fridge and try to use it within the week. As for the comment about it gathering bacteria, that is totally untrue. I am a Biologist and bacteria do not collect in breastmilk that quickly. Since it is a natural product from our body it is able to withstand bacteria better (not completely)due to our antibodies present in the milk. Also tons of bacteria are not just floating through the house, so be rest assured that you will not be feeding your baby bacteria.

freeze it. if you don't leave it out for more then an hour you can freeze it then I think it is good until like a month or so. my sis said this helped her out alot.

Kathy

Breastmilk is good up to 4 hours. I think it would be fine to freeze it as long as it has not already been frozen.

Freeze it!! It takes over 4 hrs.to sour and that stuff's like liquid gold!!

According to my lactation consultant you should discard it after 1 hour. If had been less that an hour you could freeze it and use it within 1 month. It would be good longer but your milk changes as you baby gets older to give them what they need at the time.

Breastmilk has natural antibiotic properties. You can leave it at room temperature for up to 8hrs.

I would discard it after it has been out for more than an hour.

If that were me I would discard it. Bacteria builds up after being out for two hours and we don't want our children to drink bacteria.