Revised Milk Storage Guidelines from LLL!

[Carpenterwoman]

"This information is based on current research and applies to mothers who:

* have healthy, full-term babies;
* are storing their milk for home use (as opposed to hospital use);
* wash their hands before expressing;
* use containers that have been washed in hot, soapy water and rinsed.

Storage Guidelines

All milk should be dated before storing. Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool fresh milk in the refrigerator before adding it to previously frozen milk.

Preferably, human milk should be refrigerated or chilled right after it is expressed. Acceptable guidelines for storing human milk are as follows. Store milk:

* at room temperature (66-78°F, 19-26°C) for 4 hours (ideal), up to 6 hours (acceptable) (Some sources use 8 hours)
* in a refrigerator (<39°F, <4°C) for 72 hours (ideal); up to 8 days (acceptable)
* in a freezer (-0.4 to -4°F, -18 to -20°C) for 6 months (ideal) up to 12 months (acceptable)"

Full article here: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html


The reason behind the changes: http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVIss3-2008p2.html

[marymud]

Thanks for posting!