Can expressed breast milk be kept at room temp?

[therewearethen]

Just that really, if its expressed into a sterilised bottle with a lid does it then have to be kept in the fridge or is it ok at room temp?

Although the bottle is sterile, your skin is not. Milk needs to be in the fridge to discourage bacteria from growing.

I think it's the rule of 6 - 6 hours at room temp, 6 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer. But I'd wait for someone else to clarify...

Preferable to keep in a fridge, but it will keep for a few hours at room temperature. Your baby won't drink it if it's "off".

I used to keep mine for about a total of 4 hours at room temperature and never had any go off. DD wouldn't drink it if it had been out longer than that (such as when her dad had to look after her for a whole day on his own and forgot to put a freezer pack in with the milk.)

You also don't need to sterilise the bottle - a wash in very hot soapy water to remove any latent fats, then a good rinse in very hot water is all you need. There is something in breastmilk that kills of bacteria and viruses, so it's not as important to sterilise as if you're using formula. Breastmilk has some pretty amazing properties. I think there's a tendency to think of it as being like cows' milk and it's completely different.

this leaflet is helpful: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BFNExpressing&Storing.pdf

6 hours at room temp
8 days in the fridge (if 0-4c)
6 months in freezer.
No need to sterilise the bottle or pump parts just wash well.
BFN leaflet is excellent.