Putting bottle back in fridge?

[MsSampson]

Hi,
Trying to give my cracked nipples a rest from constant feeding, so mw recommended I just pumped from one side for 24 hours. However, not too sure about how long it keeps etc, and have read conflicting advice, from 24hours to 6 days in fridge? But, is it ok to put a half finished bottle back in the fridge? Loathe to waste it after all that effort! We are using a Medela calma teat, so there doesn't seem a way for any to go back into the bottle from her mouth?
Also, we're running out of bottles - is it ok to combine milk from different pumping sessions?
Sorry for stupid questions, all just a bit overwhelming and difficult right now...

If I remember correctly you can store breastmilk for 24 hours in the fridge, or you can freeze it for 6 months. You could always store it in breastmilk bags in the fridge then transfer more than 1 bag to a bottle as needed, if you don't have enough bottles. It doesn't matter if they were expressed at different times as long as they're not more than 24 hours old.
I don't think you can put a bottle back in the fridge once it has been warmed up - you can't warm it twice at least. Better to take it out in small amounts as needed.
Hope that helps.

OP have a look at the guidelines for storing expressed milk on kellymom

This says up to 8 days for fresh milk in the fridge, although ideally no more than 3 days. Our SCBU went by a 48 hr rule.

Note this is not the same as frozen milk which has been thawed, which should be used in 24 hours.

And this is the info on reusing milk

I think you are actually asking whether you can put a half finished feed back in the fridge? If so then yes you can, but you should use it at the next feed (ie a few hours time) - as its been out of the fridge for some time then the 8 days rule can't apply.

Perhaps split future feeds in two bottles and leave one in the fridge so as ot to waste it?

Thanks both, really useful. It's all just a bit of a logistical nightmare for my sleep deprived brain. Looking forward to being able to just feed from both again soon...

have a pumping/storing bottle - to pup in to. Put a few ounces at a time into feeding bottle (you can warm it if you like - but i don't reuse warmed milk).

If you didn't warm milk ant there's a bit in the bottle - i put it back in fridge - but i sometimes change the teat.

I personally would not do this, once a feed has been started I would use the milk within the hour or throw away. I don't know what "official guidance" is and I know the issues are more to do with formula than BM but still, it doesn't seem hygienic to reuse in my opinion.

It is ok to combine milk from different pumping sessions. I use avent storage cups and decant into those from the breast pump. Then if i need a bottle feed I just pour the required amount from the cups into a bottle. If in doubt put less in, you can always top it up.