What are the current milk storage guidelines?

Use this chart as a basic guide for storing your milk.

Storage Time for Human Milk* Deep Freeze
(0°F/
-18°C)		 Refrigerator Freezer
(variable
0°F/-18°C)		 Refrigerator
(39°F/4°C)		 Cooler with Ice Packs Frozen
(59°F/15°C)		 Room Temperature
(66°F-72°F)
(19°C-22°C)		 (72°F-79°F)
(22°C-26°C)
Fresh Up to 12 Months 3 Months 5 Days 24 Hours 6-10 Hours 4 Hours
Frozen, Thawed in Fridge Do Not Refreeze Do Not Refreeze 24 Hours Do Not Store 4 Hours 4 Hours
Thawed, Warmed, Not Fed Do Not Refreeze Do Not Refreeze 4 Hours Do Not Store Until Feeding Ends Until Feeding Ends
Warmed, Fed Discard Discard Discard Discard Until Feeding Ends Until Feeding End

Milk should not spoil before the times listed above, but the longer milk is stored, the more nutritional value is lost.

The living parts of a mother's milk kill bacteria, making it much hardier and longer-lasting.

This is general information and does not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away. Every baby is different, and your baby may not be average. If in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.

* Storage times may vary for premature or sick babies.

Sources: Jones, F. and M.R.. Tully, Best Practice for Expressing, Storing and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes and Child Care Settings. Raleigh, NC: Human Milk Banking Association of North America, 2006; Mohrbacher, N. and J. Stock, The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League International, 2003.