It is very important to handle and rewarm breast milk the right way to keep its nutritional value and keep your baby safe. If parents are wondering if it is safe to rewarm breast milk, how often they can do it, and how to tell if the milk has gone bad, in this guide, these common questions are answered, along with useful tips on how to safely warm, store, and use breast milk. You can make sure that your baby gets the best nutrition from your stored breast milk by learning and following the rules that have been set out.
Can You Rewarm Breast Milk?
Yes. It is possible to rewarm breast milk, but you need to do it in the right way to keep its quality and safety. Formula milk should never be heated up again after it has been given to a baby, but breast milk can be heated up again if it is done the right way. This is because breast milk has natural antibodies and enzymes that help keep bacteria from growing, though these do wear off over time and when exposed to too much heat.
Breast milk should only be rewarmed after it has been kept properly, either in the fridge or the freezer, and for no longer than the suggested amount of time. It is very important to make sure that the milk has not been warm and then left at room temperature for a long time, as this increases the chance of germs getting into it. By following safe handling guidelines, parents can feed their kids healthy food with little chance of it going bad or losing nutrients.
When Is It Safe to Rewarm Breast Milk?
Rewarming breast milk is safe under specific conditions that ensure the milk's quality and safety for your baby. Here are key scenarios and guidelines to follow:
Proper Storage Conditions
If you keep breast milk in the fridge, you should use it within four days for the best health, but you can use it up to six days if you have to. Only rewarm the amount that will be eaten at one time. Make sure the milk has been kept in the fridge at or below 4°C (39°F) for a long time.
If you use frozen breast milk, it should be thawed and consumed within 24 hours of being put in the fridge. When frozen milk is kept in a deep freezer at -18°C (0°F) or colder, it stays fresh the longest. It can be used for up to six months.
Keeping your milk safe and fresh is easy when you use reliable storage choices like Momcozy breast milk storage bags.
Temperature Considerations
- Thawing and Rewarming: Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator overnight or place it in a container of warm water. Avoid using hot water or microwaves, as high temperatures can destroy some of the milk's beneficial properties.
- Checking Warmth: Rewarmed milk should be warmed to body temperature, around 37°C (98.6°F). Test the milk's warmth by placing a few drops on the inside of your wrist—it should feel comfortably warm, not hot.
How to Safely Rewarm Breast Milk and How Many Times?
Rewarming breast milk correctly is important for maintaining its nutritional value and ensuring your baby's safety. Here’s a simplified guide on how to do it:
Method 1: Warm Water Bath
- Fill a bowl or pot with warm (not hot) water.
- Place the milk bottle or bag in the water, making sure the water level is below the lid to prevent contamination.
- Swirl the bottle gently now and then to heat the milk evenly and avoid hotspots.
- Test the milk on your wrist before feeding; it should be warm, not hot.
Method 2: Bottle Warmer
- Set up your bottle warmer according to the instructions.
- Put the bottle inside and choose the proper setting for breast milk, avoiding high temperatures.
- After warming, shake or swirl the bottle gently to distribute the heat evenly.
- Always test the temperature of the milk on your wrist to prevent burns. Gently swirling during rewarming helps mix any separated fat, making the milk consistent.
Incorporating a reliable bottle warmer like the Momcozy 6-in-1 Fast Baby Bottle Warmer can simplify the rewarming process.
How Often Can Breast Milk Be Rewarmed?
Breast milk should only be heated up once, if possible. If your baby doesn't finish their bottle, don't heat the milk up again; throw it away. Rewarming something over and over can remove nutrients and also make it more likely for germs to grow.
To avoid wasting, only warm up as much milk as you think your baby will drink at once. Put dates on milk containers so that you use the oldest stock first, reducing the need to discard expired milk.
Can Rewarmed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated Again?
Rewarming breast milk and then refrigerating it again can pose risks to both the quality and safety of the milk. Here’s an analysis of those risks and some evidence-based recommendations for handling leftover milk.
Risks and Potential Impact
When breast milk is heated up again, it goes into a temperature range (4°C/39°F to 60°C/140°F) that is good for bacteria to grow. Putting warm milk back in the fridge could make any bacteria that is already there grow, which increases the chance that the milk will go bad or be contaminated.
Some of the good things about breast milk, like antibodies and enzymes, can be lost every time it is heated. Repeated heating and cooling breaks down these nutrients even more, which lowers the quality of the milk as a whole.
If you heat and cool the milk over and over, the structure might change. This could change how it tastes, which could make it hard to feed the baby if they don't like it.
Recommendations for Handling Leftover Milk
It is advisable to only rewarm breast milk once and to use it immediately after warming. If your baby does not finish the bottle, it’s best to discard the remaining milk rather than attempting to store it for future use.
To minimize waste, consider dividing stored breast milk into smaller portions before freezing or refrigerating. This way, you can thaw and heat only what you anticipate your baby will consume at one feeding session.
Pay attention to how much milk your baby typically drinks during a feeding and adjust the amount you warm accordingly. This practice reduces the likelihood of leftovers.
When Shouldn't You Rewarm Breast Milk?
1. Milk has been left at room temperature for too long
If breast milk has been sitting out at room temperature (approximately 25°C or 77°F) for more than two hours, it is not advisable to rewarm and use it. Bacterial growth can occur rapidly, making the milk unsafe for consumption.
2. Milk exhibits signs of spoilage
Do not rewarm breast milk if it shows any signs of spoilage such as a sour smell, clumpy texture, or unusual taste. These indicators suggest that the milk has gone bad and could pose health risks to your baby.
3. Milk has already been rewarmed once
Once breast milk has been warmed, it should be consumed immediately, and leftovers should not be stored for future use or rewarming. Repeated rewarming can degrade nutritional quality and increase bacterial growth risks.
4. Milk has been frozen and thawed but left unused for extended periods
Thawed milk from the freezer should be used within 24 hours if kept in the refrigerator. If it has surpassed this time frame, it should not be rewarmed or fed to your baby.
5. Milk has an unusual appearance after being stored
If the milk appears separated or discolored even after gentle swirling, it might indicate spoilage or improper storage conditions, suggesting it should not be rewarmed and used.
How to Tell if Breast Milk Has Gone Bad?
Determining if breast milk has gone bad involves checking for several sensory indicators. One of the most common signs is an unusual or sour odor. Fresh breast milk typically has a mild, sweet scent, so any significant change in smell can indicate spoilage. Another indicator is the presence of clumps or lumps; while some separation in stored breast milk is normal and can usually be corrected by gentle swirling, persistent clumping that does not reintegrate might suggest that the milk is no longer good. Discoloration that appears off compared to its usual creamy hue, especially if it looks unusually yellow or green, could also signal spoilage.
To ensure milk remains safe for consumption, it is important to adhere to recommended storage periods. Regular checks on stored milk can help catch any spoilage early. Freshly expressed breast milk can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and frozen breast milk can last for six months in the freezer, with optimal quality when used within that time frame. Always label containers with the date they were expressed to maintain an organized rotation of your supply. This practice helps ensure you are using the oldest milk first and minimizes the risk of inadvertently using spoiled milk. By conducting these regular assessments and adhering to proper storage guidelines, you can provide your baby with safe and nutritious breast milk.
How to Use Expired Breast Milk?
One common use is in skin care routines where old breast milk is used. Adding it to homemade lotions or soaps will make them more moisturizing, and the natural enzymes in it can help soothe skin conditions and irritations like eczema.
You can use old breast milk in a soothing bath, which is another way to use it. Because it reduces inflammation, adding a little to your baby's bathwater can help soften their skin and help with minor skin irritations. Adults can also use this method to get the same skin benefits.
If you like to craft or do do-it-yourself projects, you can use old breast milk to make gifts like jewelry or soap. This is a unique way to remember nursing. Because it has vitamins and minerals, some people also use it to feed plants, though this should only be done in small amounts to avoid bad smells.
Conclusion
It is very important to handle and rewarm breast milk the right way to keep its nutritional value and keep your baby safe. Parents can be sure that the food they give their kids is healthy if they know how to store it, warm it only once, and spot the signs that it is going bad. Think of creative ways to use old milk, like in skincare or crafts. Always put safety first to get the most out of this valuable resource and help your baby's health the best way possible.
