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How Long Can Warmed Breast Milk Stay Out?

Q&A: How Long Can Warmed Breast Milk Stay Out?

Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, you must use it within 2 hours.

After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away.

PRO-TIP: 

A good way to avoid wasting precious liquid gold is to store, thaw, and warm breast milk in smaller quantities.

We always recommend THESE awesome containers because they freeze your breast milk in 1/2 ounce portions. (so you can thaw JUST the amount you need — no more wasted milk or messy bags!)

It’s very important to pay attention to breast milk storage rules to avoid potential contamination. Both freezing and heating breast milk destroys some of its immune properties that kill bacteria.

Babies are more sensitive to bacteria growth than adults because they have a delicate immune system.

Remember the rule of 4’s when storing breast milk.

Breast milk is good for:

  • 4 hours when freshly expressed

  • 4 days in the back of your refrigerator

  • 4 months in a regular freezer and 6-12 months in a deep freezer

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Related article: 12 Things To Do With Leftover Breast Milk

Can Warmed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated Again?