Is It Safe to Refreeze Breast Milk? What You Need to Know

Is It Safe to Refreeze Breast Milk? What You Need to Know 

Can you refreeze breast milk? Well, you may! But should you? Here’s the answer you need to know! 

Breastfeeding is a natural and nurturing process. Breastmilk, often called 'golden liquid' or 'mother's nectar,' is the powerhouse of nutrients. It is filled with proteins, vitamins, calories, fats, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and antibodies that fulfill the nutritional requirements of growing babies. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) exclusively recommends breastfeeding babies for six months. However, under certain circumstances, it is not possible for mothers to directly breastfeed their babies. Particularly, if you are a working mom, have a medical sensitivity, or traveling somewhere away from the baby. 

Therefore, mothers often express and freeze their breast milk. This raises to several concerns, like safety of frozen breast milk for babies, how to use it, and can you refreeze breast milk again. Here’s an article discussing the science behind freezing, defrosting, and refreezing expressed breastmilk. 

First, Why Do You Need to Store Breast Milk 

When breastfeeding isn't possible or convenient, mothers can consider expressing breastmilk and storing it for later use. Here are a few such scenarios: 

However, proper storage is essential to preserve the authentic nutritional value and prioritize the safety of infants. Breast milk must be kept safe from harmful bacteria and contamination to ensure the overall well-being of your baby. 

Explore More: Understanding Bovine Colostrum for Babies 

The Science Behind Freezing and Refreezing Breastmilk 

It's completely normal to store expressed breast milk and use it later. Freezing is one way to protect breast milk from contamination or spoilage. It adds a safety barrier of ice around the milk, preventing microbial growth. Freezing may slightly reduce the antibodies present in the breast milk, but the rest of the nutritional profile remains stable. 

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, you can refrigerate breast milk for up to four days. If you want to store for longer duration (6-12 months), freeze it under 0°F or -18°C.  

However, it’s best to consume breast milk as soon as possible for nutritional retention. And always remember to refrigerate or freeze milk in clean, sanitized frozen storage bags, with labels mentioning date and time of expression. 

How to Defrost Frozen Breastmilk 

Along with freezing, it is equally important to defrost or thaw breastmilk using the proper protocols. 

For thawing, place the required amount of frozen breast milk in warm or lukewarm water. You can even put it in the refrigerator overnight. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind: 

Have you ever heard of bovine colostrum? It is the first milk produced by cow after calving that has nutritional value and antibodies support. If you are a mom discover some quick and effective recipes for kids using colostrum. 

Can You Refreeze Breast Milk Already Thawed 

If you have thawed the frozen breast milk and still have some left, don't refreeze it all. Though little research exists, refreezing breast milk can be potentially dangerous for your child, especially if it is left at room temperature for a longer time. How does it happen? Here is the explanation: 

Thawing accelerates the degradation of enzymes and nutrients in breast milk. Even in refrigerators, thawed milk can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If left at room temperature for longer periods, even refreezing doesn't protect its original nutritional constituents. 

Here's how refreezing impacts the quality and consistency of breast milk. 

Is There Any Safer Alternative? 

Instead of refreezing thawed milk, here are the alternatives you may opt for: 

If you still have leftover milk after 2 hours, discard it. Nothing is above your child's health. Remember, your baby deserves the best nutrition and care. 

Read More: What is Bovine Colostrum: Benefits, Nutrition, Uses, and Potential Side Effects. 

Final Words 

Expressing breast milk is totally normal and can be a lifesaver for moms in uncertain times. When you are far away from baby or can’t directly breastfeed them, you can use expressed milk. Even your relatives, caregivers, or friends can also use it to feed your baby. 

However, to preserve its overall nutritional value, be careful when storing or thawing breast milk. Store it in clean, dry, and sanitized frozen bags. In any case, avoid refreezing breast milk, as it may pose serious health risks to your baby. We know that no one ever wants to waste the precious drops of golden liquid, but ultimately, there's nothing above your infant's well-being. 

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions 

No, if you have thawed the breast milk, don't refreeze it again. It may affect the nutritional composition, reducing the immunoglobulins, vitamins, and proteins. 

Don't use a microwave or induction to defrost frozen breast milk. These methods destroy the nutrients and vitamins in the milk, making it unsafe for babies. Instead, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in warm or lukewarm water. 

Only once. Don't freeze the breast milk to ensure the safety and efficacy for your baby. 

No, if you've frozen breast milk for the first time, it won't affect its nutrient profile. 

Spoiled or degraded breast milk may affect the digestive system of the babies. He may face issues like diarrhea, jaundice, stomach cramps, vomiting, and foodborne illnesses. 

If the breast milk is spoiled, you may notice a change in its texture, appearance, and flavor profile. 

The ideal temperature to freeze breast milk is 0°F or -18 °C. This temperature preserves the nutritional value of the milk for the long term, making it safe for the babies.