how long can EBM stay in the fridge??

[autumnlover]

okay, this is probably been asked before, but i have a question about EBM.

i've got loads of frozen ebm, but frozen in 6oz bags/bottles. ds is only taking 3oz at the moment. i took out a 6oz bottle this morning and defrosted it in the fridge. So ds will have 3oz tonight. how long can the remaining 3oz stay in the fridge?? i dont want to use it until tomorrow night.

what are your thoughts?? many thanks

I've read conflicting stats about this in books. If it's been defrosted and kept in the fridge I would think it would be OK to use the last 3oz tomorrow night. Make sure it's stored at the back of the fridge though, as it's colder there.

Personally, I work on 24hours, although I have been known to go over this slightly without any ill effects.

Look up storage of EBM on la leche league who say that expressed milk can be left out for up to 8hrs (a revelation) as it contains anti bodies that protect it. It is American so the research must be thorough and correct I would have thought.

Community midwife told me that EBM could stay at room temperature for 6 hours and 24 hours in the fridge.

Just had a look in the NHS 'Birth to Five' book i got from my HV and it says as follows:

"you must express your milk into a sterilised bottle which you can then cap and leave in the fridge for 24 hours. You can also freeze breast milk for one week in the freezer compartment of the fridge or up to three months in the freezer. Freeze it as soon as possible after expressing and certainly within a couple of hours (there are specially designed breast milk freezer bags).
Thaw frozen breast milk in a fridge and when it is thawed use it within 24 hours. Or you can put the container into luke warm water to thaw. When it is warmed to room temperature, use it once or throw away. NEVER REFREEZE."

latest research actually says that you can safely keep ebm in fridge between 3 and 5 degrees c for up to 7 days - seems a big jump from 24 hours though but maybe somewhere in between???

If it's been previously frozen I'd work on 24 hours. I treated it exactly the same as any previously frozen food.