How long can you keep EBF in the fridge for?

[SilverSky]

As thread title really!

My breast pump guidelines say 24hrs whereas the NHS says 5 days!

Anyone know or what do you do?

Tho at the mo it's all a bit irrelevant as Ds won't take a bottle anyway.

[Seona1973]

kellymom says its ok for up to 8 days!

milk storage

[lunafire]

Up to 8 days as per the kellymom link, depending on how cold your fridge is. Mine kept for that long when I was expressing. Best thing to do though is taste & smell it when it's fresh so you'll know when it's off

[SilverSky]

Many thanks!

Another q- if Ds doesn't finish the bottle would you discard or put back in fridge for later? Obv only poss if at home and not out and about.....

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you warm up the bottle, then you can't put it back in the fridge. I'm not sure what the options are like if you don't warm it up ...

[Seona1973]

according to this you can re-use breast milk if it has only been partially drunk.

[Petsville]

Just wanted to add a word of caution - some women find that it goes off faster than any of the guidelines suggest. It's something to do with enzyme levels, I think. The only way we can be sure my EBM is OK is to freeze it as soon as I've pumped it, and then defrost immediately before using it.

I'm afraid the only way to find out whether yours goes off fast or not is to taste it.