Question
How long can expressed breast milk be stored at room temperature?
Answer
Expressed breast milk can be stored at room temperature for six to ten hours. If long-term storage is needed, it should be placed in the refrigerator’s freezer section, and it is not advisable to store milk expressed on different occasions in the same container. In the refrigerator at a temperature of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, breast milk can be stored for 24 hours. If the freezer temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four months. When heating breast milk, use running water to gradually warm it, avoiding direct contact with a flame or heating in a microwave to prevent nutrient damage. When thawing refrigerated breast milk, place it in running cold water and gradually add hot water until it reaches room temperature.