In contrast formula must be refrigerated and discarded after the first feeding attempt because it contains no antibodies or infection protection factors.
Breast milk storage room temperature nhs.
For healthy full term infants here are the guidelines for keeping breast milk out at room temperature up to 77 degrees f or 25 degrees c.
You can store breast milk in a sterilised container or in special breast milk storage bags.
In the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
However it s optimal to use or properly store the breast milk within four hours especially if the room is warm.
At the back of the fridge not the door for up to 8 days at 4 c or lower in the ice compartment of the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to store breast milk.
Breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container or special storage bags remember to label and date it.
Consider these general guidelines for healthy infants.
How long you can safely keep expressed breast milk depends on the storage method.
Your breast milk can then be kept.
Breast milk storage guidelines.
Breast milk can safely stand at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours and need not be discarded if the first feeding attempt is incomplete.
What about storing expressing milk at room temperature.
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored.
Fresh breastmilk including colostrum.
Alternatively hold the bottle or bag of frozen milk under warm running water a maximum of 37 c or 99 f.
In a fridge use within 24 hours in a cool bag with an ice pack use within 4 hours at room temperature use within 2 hours.
At room temperature 77 f or colder for up to 4 hours.
If you need it on the go you can store your refrigerated breast milk for 24 hours in a cool bag or box with ice packs in it.
Never store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not intended for storing breast milk.
Don t leave frozen breast milk to defrost at room temperature.
5 days if temperature rises above 4 c after 3 days use within 6 hours or throw away frozen breastmilk.
When defrosting in fridge.
Once fully thawed previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
For 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge.
If made up formula is stored.
Store it in small quantities to avoid wasting any.