How quickly should I use EBM after defrosting it?

[PinkRita]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with this. My DS is 4 weeks and I have just started expressing.

I want to use some milk I have expressed today while we are out tomorrow but it may be over 24 hours before he drinks it. What bis the best way to store it?

I have a bottle cooler / warmer to carry with me while I am out but should I a) store it in the fridge untilt he morning or b) store it in the freezer until the morning, defrost it and then take it in the bottle carrier?

I have read tat once you defrost the ebm you need to use it asap, however the bottle carrier says it will store the milk at the same temp for a number of hous.

Hey ya,

The Kellomom website has all the information you need, though admittedly the website is rather hard to naviagate at first.

Short answer, your milk is fine in the fridge for a few days (up to 8 if temperature is good enough).

Heres the link for the page regarding storage www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

Though to be honest, feeding whilst out and about is by far the easiest way, but I remember when I first went to certain places I took a bottle. Soon gave up caring about other peoples discomfort.

Good luck

the easiest way to fed when you are out is from your breasts.

i would take it out of the freezer in the morning, not defrost it and stick it in a jug of hot water when time to eat. even in the bottle cooler it will have mainly defrosted by the time you are ready to use. and even if not, i have take bottled straight from freezer into jug of hot water etc.

previously frozen milk must be used within 24hours. So just bung it in fridge and then carry it out and about- no real need for bottle carrier so long as it isn't at room temp for longer than 6 hours.

It is better to keep it at the back of the fridge. It will keep for up to five days there(or a few days beyond but I get worried and think it is better to use it soon as poss, dare I say you could taste a tiny dab and if there is any sense of sourness discard...).

If you must freeze it you should really defrost it in the fridge over a 24 hour period and then use that within 24 hours. However freezing breast milk is said to affect some of the nutrients in it so it is better to just put it in the fridge. I express daily and use the milk the following day, has always been fine.

ONce you take the milk in a premade bottle when you are out and about it is said to last up to 5 hours in room temperature(again do the tiny dab taste thing just in case). So you should be fine.

Ps Have a good day out!!!

Thanks everyone, really useful info. :-)