Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto It’s a question many (if not most) new mothers Google at some point early in their child’s life: How long can I keep frozen breast milk? And until now, answers have varied from “a few months” to “more than a year.” But there’s finally a more definitive answer, based on research just published by the Journal of Pediatrics. And the answer is (drumroll): nine months. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that deeply frozen (below 0 degrees) breast milk can be kept for three to six months, while the Human Milk Banking Association of North America says that it can be safely stored for upwards of a year, though it counsels that around three months is ideal. But researchers this time around sought to answer not just “how long” can milk be maximally stored but how long can it be stored without losing any of its nutrients or benefits to the baby. That is, after all, the point. To answer the question they collected, froze, and tested the milk of 40 mothers over a period of months. They found that “fresh frozen” milk — milk that is pumped and then immediately frozen, fares better in the freezer than milk that is pumped and then refrigerated before being frozen. They conclude that nine months is the ideal length of time for all frozen milk to be stored, though they do not necessarily advise that it should be thrown away after that period: simply that the milk begins to lose vital nutrients at that point. Case closed. How Long Can You Keep Frozen Breast Milk?Things you buy through our links may earn New York a commission 39 Pairs of Sneakers to Upgrade Your Wardrobe I’m
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When should I throw out frozen breast milk?Breast milk can be stored in the freezer (at 0° F or colder) for up to 12 months, although using it within 6 months is best.
How can you tell if frozen breast milk is still good?Some people describe a “soapy” smell or taste in their milk after storage; others say it is a “metallic” or “fishy” or “rancid” odor. Some detect a “sour” or “spoiled” odor or taste. Accompanying these changes are concerns that the milk is no longer good for the baby.
How do you unfreeze breast milk?To thaw frozen milk, hold the frozen bottle or bag under lukewarm running water. You can also thaw it in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water. Swirl the milk gently to mix. The fatty part of the milk may have separated.
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