The storage time of a bottle is a major concern for parents who are mindful of their baby’s well-being.
In this article, we discuss why it is essential to properly store the unconsumed bottle of your baby and under which conditions this is possible. You will discover the storage times you must strictly observe to ensure your child’s health.
Our goal: to alert parents to the potential risks associated with improper storage times. We will present to you the most obvious signs of quality deterioration in milk due to improper storage.
SUMMARY:
- How to properly store a bottle?
- What is the storage time for a bottle of breast milk (not thawed)?
- Does the material of the bottle affect storage time?
- 4 signs proving that the bottle storage time has not been respected!
- In conclusion
How to properly store a bottle?
It’s understandable that many parents seek to avoid waste by storing their baby’s unused bottles. Whether it’s to satisfy a changing appetite, minimize expenses, or simply save time for future feedings, keeping bottles may seem like a practical solution.
However, it’s essential to note that you may only store milk that has not been consumed by your child under one condition: the milk must be fresh breast milk and not previously thawed!
So, bottles with formula milk should not be kept for more than one hour after preparation.
What is the storage time for a bottle of breast milk (not thawed)?
At room temperature, breast milk can be stored for about four hours.
For longer storage, it is recommended to place your bottle of breast milk in the refrigerator, where it can remain safe for consumption for a longer period.
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In the refrigerator |
At room temperature |
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Fresh breast milk |
Up to 7 days maximum (Between 34 °F and 39 °F) |
About 4 hours |
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Thawed breast milk |
24 hours maximum (Do not refreeze) |
Consume immediately |
Active and on-the-go parents may wonder how to store bottles while traveling. Investing in an insulated bag specially designed for carrying bottles can be a practical solution. This keeps breast milk at temperature and ensures its freshness even while traveling!
Read also: Traveling with baby: how to organize easy-peasy vacations
Does the material of the bottle affect storage time?
Although formal studies have not categorically established a link between bottle material and storage time, certain aspects should be considered.
Storing breast milk too long in a plastic bottle can increase the risk of micro and nanoplastic particles leaching into the milk.
We recommend choosing bottles made from medical-grade silicone for your child’s meals. This innovative material poses no risk to your little one’s health. Unconsumed milk stored for a later feeding can be reheated in the microwave (link to be added to microwave article) without risk.
4 signs proving that the bottle storage time has not been respected!
If a bottle has not been stored within the recommended timeframes, it will show signs of milk quality deterioration. These signs must be taken very seriously! They indicate that the milk is no longer fit for consumption. If you have any doubts about the milk in your baby’s bottle, throw it away. 🚮
An abnormal smell
One of the most obvious signs of deterioration in breast milk is a particular and unpleasant smell. The milk will develop a sour or rancid odor. If you notice this when opening the bottle, do not give it to your baby.
For some women, expressed breast milk can develop a slightly unpleasant odor, sometimes resembling vomit, after a few hours or during thawing.
This is generally attributed to the presence of lipases, natural enzymes that break down fats in the milk. This smell, although unsettling, does not prevent your milk from remaining perfectly edible. 🥛
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A change in color
Another key indicator of milk going bad is a change in color. Fresh milk generally has a white or bluish tint, sometimes yellowish. But if it takes on a brown hue, this may indicate it is no longer consumable.
Note that depending on the woman and her own diet, breast milk may have a different color. Its texture and color also vary during a feeding; clear and bluish at the start of expression, becoming thicker and creamy yellow at the end.
A modified texture
Properly stored breast milk has a smooth and perfectly homogeneous texture. If you notice lumps, particles, or a persistent unusual texture after shaking the bottle, this may indicate that the milk has undergone undesirable changes.
It’s good to clarify that after being expressed, breast milk naturally separates, with the fat rising to the top. This is totally normal! Your milk remains perfectly safe to consume. The amount of fat in the milk can vary with each pumping session and differ from mother to mother. Expressed breast milk looks different from cow’s milk or commercial infant formulas.
An altered taste
Although the taste of your breast milk may vary according to your diet, a distinctly altered taste can be a sign that the milk is no longer good. If the milk tastes sour or acidic, it is recommended not to give it to your baby. Note that lipases can, again, cause a change in the milk’s taste without indicating it is unfit for consumption.
In conclusion
- Proper storage of breast milk bottles ensures the safety and well-being of your baby. Understanding and applying the storage principles outlined in this article will help you avoid waste and ensure the nutritional quality of the breast milk given to your child.
- The material of the bottle potentially influences storage time. We recommend using bottles made from medical-grade silicone, a safe and innovative choice that prevents plastic particles from leaching into the milk during refrigerated storage.
- Even when storage rules are followed, remain alert to possible signs of deterioration in the milk as described above.
- For detailed storage times for a bottle of breast milk, refer to the table above.
