Storing Breast milk has always been a topic of multiple questions for all new mothers. Whether it is regarding breast milk in general or leftover breast milk, warm breast milk, frozen breast milk, and refrozen thawed breast milk, mothers have all sorts of questions. As a mother, you definitely want your baby to be healthy and happy. A baby’s health is every mother’s number one priority.
The health of your newborn baby is often tied to the breast milk you are providing for them. So, it is crucial that you know everything there is to know about breast milk to give your child the right amount of nutrition and immunity they need from the breast milk. Breast milk is precious liquid gold for every child.
A question we get from every new mother is, “Can you put breast milk back in the fridge after warming?”. The answer to this question is, Yes, you can; however, some breast milk storage guidelines have to be followed; otherwise, it can be fatal for your newborn bundle of joy.
Let me tell you something important; motherhood is all about ensuring that your baby doesn’t grow up with a compromised immune system. The nourishment and immune system of your child have to be your number one priority as the child care provider. So, be sure to be careful about handling breast milk. Another thing you have to ensure is that you have to store breast milk in a proper storage container.
Is It Okay To Put Breast Milk Back In Fridge After Warming? (Elaborated Answer)
Yes, you can put breast milk back in the fridge after warming as long as you follow a few guidelines. These guidelines will ensure that breast milk does not go bad. After heating the breast milk, it is best to feed it to your child right away; however, if your child is full or asleep or if your child is not one of those full-term infants, then you can store breast milk in the refrigerator for four hours.
Some people think refrigerated breast milk is okay for the baby to drink, but in most cases, after four hours, the breast milk loses the nutrients and goes bad. If you have a breast pump kit or a manual or electric pump, then you can keep breast milk bottles for your baby in case of emergencies. Storing breast milk might seem like an arduous task, but it is straightforward if you know which steps to take.
For leftover milk, the best option is to feed it to the baby within four hours. If the breast milk is at room temperature, heat breast milk up just a little bit and then put the bottle near the baby’s mouth.
If it is freshly expressed breast milk, then you won’t have to do anything because freshly expressed milk is warm, and you don’t even have to use a bottle warmer for it. However, if you are feeding your baby deep freezer container sealed, frozen milk with ice crystals, then you have to thaw breast milk and ensure it is warmed breast milk before you give it to your newborn baby.
How To Thaw Frozen Breast Milk?
Thawing breast milk is incredibly easy. To thaw breast milk, all you need to do is follow a few steps, and you are set. So, here are the steps you need to follow if you want to thaw breast milk for your child:
- The first step is to check if the breast milk was stored in storage containers, storage bags, or baby bottles.
- If the breast milk was stored in a storage container or a baby bottle, then all you have to do is warm up some water or get warm running tap water and put the container or bottle under the tap. Then watch as the warm running water thaws the breast milk.
- However, if you have stored the breast milk in a storage bag, then you have to get a container full of room temperature water and then place the bag in the water. The room temp water will help thaw the breast milk fast without dissolving the storage bag.
Always remember to check if the milk is at room temperature or not. Check for hot spots and check if the breast milk is completely thawed or not.
How To Warm Breast Milk?
Warming breast milk might seem like a daunting task to most mothers; however, it is not as hard as it looks. Most mothers find the warming process difficult because they realize how fragile their baby is and how even slightly above room temperature breast milk can burn their baby’s mouth. So, mothers are cautious while warming up breast milk. If you are looking for an easy way to warm breast milk for your bundle of joy, then let me help you out.
Here are a few ways for you to warm up breast milk for your baby:
Bowl Of Warm Water Method
You can get a bowl of warm water and then place the bottle of breast milk inside the bowl. It will distribute the heat and warm up the breast milk without overheating it. It will also help with disease control by killing the germs on the body of the bottle.
Luke Warm Running Water
Lukewarm running water is a brilliant way to heat up breast milk. For this method, all you need to do is turn your tap on and wait for lukewarm water. After that, just place the bottle in the water and wait for it to heat up just a bit. Before giving the bottle to your baby, ensure that it is brought to room temperature.
You can try both methods and see which one works for you.
Store Breast Milk
Storing breastmilk is seen as a big hassle to most mothers, and to be honest, it really can be a hassle at times. So, to make things easier for you, I have a few tactics to help you store breast milk. Here are a few tips that can help you store breast milk efficiently:
If you are going to reheat breast milk or reuse breast milk, then you have to store it in air-tight bottles.
Oldest breast milk goes bad fast, so be sure to keep it in the refrigerator overnight before giving it to your baby.
- If the breast milk is at body temperature, wait for it to cool down just a bit before putting it in the freezer.
- Always ensure the power switch of your refrigerator is on while storing breast milk.
- Temperature changes are horrible if you want to store breast milk so ensure that the temperature of your fridge is low.
- Never put breast milk in boiling water or hot water.
- Human milk needs to be served at room temperature.
- The same milk can not be heated more than once.
- Milk at room temperature is best for storing.
- Thawed breast milk should be drunk instantly.
- Expressed breast milk needs time to come to room temperature, so wait till it is at room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.
FAQs
Here is a series of frequently asked questions regarding Breast Milk.
Yes, breast milk tends to expand in the freezer. So, when mothers are storing breast milk bottles in the freezer, they are advised not to fill them up entirely.
Safe thawing is a method of thawing used to thaw breast milk in a safe manner.
3. How To Know If Baby Finished Feeding?
If your baby doesn’t seem interested in drinking the milk anymore, that’s when you will know that they are finished feeding.
4. Where To Get Breastfeeding Information?
Trusted sources like CDS, HHS, etc. You can consult with your doctor or any doctor in general for breastfeeding information.
5. Is Lactation Consultant Necessary?
Whether you want to see a lactation consultant or not is ultimately your decision. If you feel like you have to see a lactation consultant, then you should; otherwise, you can avoid this step entirely because it won’t matter much.
Conclusion
Yes, you can put breast milk back in the fridge after warming it as long as you give it to the baby within four hours. You will also need to know how to thaw breast milk, How to store breast milk, and all the storage guidelines for breast milk. By knowing all of this information, you will be able to ensure that your baby is fit and healthy.
You also need to learn if your baby needs one feeding or two. Thus, you can save yourself a lot of time and be prepared in case your baby is hungry. One of the most important things about being a mother is following your gut instinct when it comes to your baby! Also, Make sure you and your baby are going to the doctor for regular checkups.
More to read:
- Can You Microwave Breast Milk?
- How Long Is Reheated Breast milk Good For?
- Baby Pushing Bottle Away But Still Hungry
- How To Make Your Baby Stop Grinding Teeth
- Does cold milk cause gas in babies?