Disclosure: Product links shared in this post are affiliate links, which means you get an exclusive discount or pay the normal price depending on the site, and I receive a commission for recommending things I believe in! Win-win💖
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and therefore cannot prescribe, treat, or diagnose. I’m a mom and health coach sharing my knowledge and experiences for educational purposes. This does not take the place of any professional medical advice.
While the recommended storage times are important, there are also some common issues that mothers may encounter.
Smell and Taste Changes
If your breast milk has an off smell or taste, it could be due to the enzymes breaking down the milk. This is natural and doesn’t mean it’s bad for your baby. It may just be that the milk has high lipase levels, which makes it more prone to develop a soapy smell or taste. If it doesn’t agree with your baby, scalding the milk before storage may help neutralize this.
How To Scald Breast Milk
- Heat the milk in a pan on the stove (avoid using a microwave) until it bubbles around the edges, reaching 180°F, but do not allow it to reach a full boil (212°F).
- To prevent boiling, which can destroy beneficial components, monitor the temperature closely.
- Immediately after heating, place the pan in a larger bowl filled with ice water to cool it down quickly.
- Once cooled, the milk can be frozen or refrigerated for storage.
Note: Heating to 180°F may affect some beneficial components of breast milk, but less so than boiling.
Rules of Engagement for Thawed and Once-Warmed Liquid Gold
Once breast milk has been thawed, it’s ideally used right away. It’s not recommended to refreeze it (or put it in the fridge to reheat later) after it has been heated or warmed to room temperature or warmer and the baby doesn’t finish it. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for bacterial growth once the milk has been warmed.
This is also true for milk coming out of the fridge. Once it’s been warmed up, it’s not recommended to put any leftovers back in the fridge — but I’ll admit I don’t always follow this suggestion and I haven’t had issues.
I Forgot It In My Cooler!
It happens. Whether you’ve had a busy day out and about, or things got crazy when you got home from work. Sometimes we forget the milk in our cooler. Do you toss it? In the depths of Google I found other moms saying if the milk is still cool and doesn’t smell off, it should be okay. Use your judgement here. If you think it should be tossed, dump it (better yet, save it to be made into a jewelry keepsake!), mourn the loss, and try to do better next time.
Overlooked Cleaning Protocol
Ensure your storage containers and pumping equipment are clean. Sanitize anything that touches the milk and wash your hands well before pumping. Even a small amount of leftover milk can spoil your new batch.
If you’re ever unsure about the safety of your expressed milk, trust your instincts and discard it. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
If you liked this post, I’d love to have you in my Facebook group. You can join here.
xo, Mary