How long is BF good once you take out the ref?

Lexie Marie

How long is BF good after you take it out of the ref? I pumped last night and let it sit out for a few hours then ref. it and took it back out this morning. It was out for 5 hours after being ref.... is this still ok to feed? TIA

dorothy&gail

BM is good for about 4 hours at room temperature.  If I pumped milk and couldn't get it to a fridge right away, as long as I got into a fridge within 4 hours, I would use it.  Then if I took it out of the fridge and LO did not drink it all, I wouldn't put it back in the fridge, I would dump it after the 4 hours at room temp.  That may be more strict than you have to be, but that is what I would do.  You can check kellymom.com, that is a great resource.

Lexie Marie

dorothy&gail:

BM is good for about 4 hours at room temperature.  If I pumped milk and couldn't get it to a fridge right away, as long as I got into a fridge within 4 hours, I would use it.  Then if I took it out of the fridge and LO did not drink it all, I wouldn't put it back in the fridge, I would dump it after the 4 hours at room temp.  That may be more strict than you have to be, but that is what I would do.  You can check kellymom.com, that is a great resource.

Ok thanks for your advice dear! Still trying to learn the ropes of it all!

Accounting Chick

dorothy&gail:

BM is good for about 4 hours at room temperature.  If I pumped milk and couldn't get it to a fridge right away, as long as I got into a fridge within 4 hours, I would use it.  Then if I took it out of the fridge and LO did not drink it all, I wouldn't put it back in the fridge, I would dump it after the 4 hours at room temp.  That may be more strict than you have to be, but that is what I would do.  You can check kellymom.com, that is a great resource.

This is really strict.  I definitely wouldn't toss the milk  - milk that has been drunk from can generally be used at the next feeding. 

Also, I really like Dr. Sear's guidelines at https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/while-working/storing-transporting-breast-milk - he gives different ranges based on temperature of room versus just "room temperature". 

If you're ever in doubt, sniff (and if you're brave - taste) the milk.  BM that has gone bad has a foul odour.

blu-eyedwife

I don't know how old the Dr. Sears guidelines are, but the guidelines my hospital's lactation counselors give out states that BM is good at room temp for 10 hours.

 

beachgirl24

OMG I wish I had seen this before I posted about the same thing a little while ago!  Guess I need to read up on the posts before I make a new one, LOL!  Thanks!