Quick question about reheating expressed milk

[emza78]

Hi all,

Would appreciate some advice if poss. I expressed 100mls this morning at 8am and put it straight in the fridge. LO had a feed at 1130 where I took all 100mls in its bottle and put in bowl of boiling water to heat up, she then only took 50mls and fell asleep again. What can I do with the remaining 50? Put back in fridge and reheat at 3pm ish for next feed? Or leave at room temp till then? Or do I have to throw away (such a shame as takes so long to get!)

Thanks

Emma

I'd chuck it, don't reheat it twice as it could cause bacteria growth. Check with Kellymom.com for the definitive answer.

Maybe give in smaller amounts and give more if needed? Damn frustrating to waste liquid gold .

Ok will check that site thanks, grr v annoying tho - she normally takes 100mls each feed so I was chancing my luck really!

Next time you split the milk into seperate portions so that there won't be so much wastage. TBH breastmilk is fine kept out of the fridge for several hours as it has propeties that actually inhibit bacterial growth. I wouldn't reheat after doing it once already though.

Just looked on Kellymom - I think they're saying I could now leave at room temp for 6-8 hours an use at next feed at 3, just not to put in fridge and regeat again..

Yes, it's amazing stuff!

emza I used to reuse unfinished ebm, leave it somewhere pretty cool, and use again later. BM doesn't breed bacteria in the same way formula or cow's milk does.

chuck it, sorry!

I'd be careful with the 'leave at room temperature' guidelines. Just that 'room temperature' can vary a lot....and I actually feel that's a heck of a long time anyway, even given that BM has a much longer 'life' than formula. I found that after leaving BM out for a few hours, it started to turn. After 8 hours, I'd basically have a bottle of 'off' milk.

I'd be happy leaving it for a couple of hours at room temp, but I always sniff and taste now to check. I hated the thought that I might have offered DS some sour milk because I'd been following clock guidelines and assumed it was ok.

Personally, if it's already been warmed up, I would either leave the bottle somewhere cool for no more than a couple of hours, check and feed again if ok, or grit my teeth and chuck it if it hadn't been used by then.

Can you reheat a bit if your dc stops wanting it half way through and is winded then wanting more- I.e prob about 10/15 mins after orig heating just to make it more palatable?

Also, sorryto hijack slightly, but do you find it separates slightly in the fridge ( not unlike full fat where cream separates out) can you just shake and use- this happened to mine by the time I checked next day and had been in back of cold fridge so should have been fine...

I think you're not meant to reuse it after it's been in the baby's mouth, because bacteria may have been introduced. Separate issue from leaving expressed milk at room temp.