Expressed milk storage question

[Wugz22]

I understand most of the guidelines for storing milk, but I haven't been able to find a google answer to this one…

After breast milk has been refrigerated or frozen, how long can it then sit at room temperature? For example, I'm taking my little one to a doctor's appointment tomorrow and our doctor is always running late and it usually conflicts with feeding time. It'd be easier/quicker to just give him a bottle in the waiting room instead of attempting to BF, so I'll bring a bottle… but he won't take it if it's cold from the fridge. Can I let the bottle warm up to room temp by sitting out for an hour after its already been frozen or refrigerated and then just throw it in the diaper bag and give it to him within like a 2 hour window?

Am I making this way too complicated?!

Thanks!

 

[Meg26]

It should be just fine for that time frame. I wouldnt let it go longer than that though just in case. I honestly would take it in a cooler bag with an ice pack and when baby gets hungry run the bottle or bag (whatever you store it in) under hot running water in the bathroom until its warmed up a little bit.

 

[sunnylove]

I would not let refrigerated and especially frozen breastmilk dethaw and then be kept at room temperature for any good amount of time. I personally would not let it sit out like that for more than 30 mins. There's a small window there where bacteria develops at a certain temperature. For example, you are not supposed to let frozen milk dethaw by leaving it out at room temperature (you're supposed to let it dethaw in the fridge) because the "lukewarm" stage for frozen breastmilk can be dangerous.

However, you can let freshly pumped milk sit out for hours without being refrigerated. I think the safest option would be to try to pump milk before your appointment, and then that milk can sit out for up to 4 hours. Is "good" for up to 6 hours.

 

[Mimzy3]

DH watches our son during the days while I work and I have pumped milk in the fridge. I pump before I leave work and leave a bottle out for him so when DS wakes up he eats the "fresh" bottle. Then DH will set a bottle out from the fridge and let is warm up to room temp so its ready for his next feeding. This has worked for us for 4 1/2 months now. Never had a problem I thought milk was good at room temp for several hours regardless?

I also if your milk is sour you would definitely be able to smell it, sour milk has a very distinct smell. And I also read that if your milk is "bad" your baby won't drink it they will spit it out, as instinct.

 

[Noo]

If it has been frozen and thawed (though in fridge) I'd use it within the hour. I'd not be leaving it sitting for hours.

 

[sheldonsmommy]

I've read one hour for thawed milk that has come to room temperature. But refrigerated milk has more like 4 hours. Of course this will all depend on how long it's been in the fridge.

Could you try bringing an insulated travel mug full of hot water and warm the bottle that way?

Or maybe you can ask if they have an empty room where you can bf?