does breastmilk separate in the fridge?

[PiggyMad]

I've just started expressing milk and yesterday got an ounce and put it in an avent storage cup in fridge at the bottom at the back of the shelf. I came to take it out this afternoon and it looked like it had curdled - there was milk on the bottom and it was watery on the top. Is this normal?
I didn't give it to DD, but don't understand how it could have curdled in less than 24 hours at the back of the fridge. HV told me you could keep it in the fridge for 5 days!

[slothprincess]

I think that's just the fat rising to the top piggy. Nothing to worry about at all. Just swirl it around when you take it out of the fridge and it'll even out again.

[Teladi]

Mine always separated out, but the other way round for me, it was always thick at the top and thinner at the bottom. I found that I just needed to heat it up a little, and give it a swirl. I always tasted as a final check before I gave it to DD and it was never 'off'.

[ag123]

Yes, mine always does, also the other way round. Just give it a good shake!

[wasabipeanut]

Perfectly normal don't worry. Just swirl it round a but. I always found it interesting to see how much cream there was in it!

[TeaandHobnobs]

But you should SWIRL and not shake - this article explains why

[BertieBotts]

It always separates, yes - it hasn't curdled. We're just used to homogenised milk so it looks odd :) Just shake or swirl it to remix and you're good to go.

[PiggyMad]

Ah that's great, thanks ladies!
Woud you say 5 days is ok then?

[SarryB]

Yup, 4-5 days is fine. Keep it in the actual fridge, not in the door.

I used to express all day into the same bottle (putting it in the fridge inbetween expressing), then use that bottle the next day if needed (again, sticking it back in the fridge inbetween). I never warmed it either. LO liked it cold from the fridge!

[biddyofsuburbia]

You can also freeze it - it defrosts really quickly in some warm water. I discovered some great breastmilk bags here And yes, it's quite normal for it to separate!

[KatAndKit]

Remember in the old days there would be a layer of cream at the top of a glass pint bottle of whole milk? It's just like that with your milk. We are used to homogenized milk in the shops these days so that doesn't happen with your pint anymore. But it's totally normal for the cream to rise.