Nursing Moms

  • Breastfeeding Basics
  • Baby Diet
  • Breast Pumps
  • Mom Essentials
  • Breast Milk Storage
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Breastfeeding Basics
  • Baby Diet
  • Breast Pumps
  • Mom Essentials
  • Breast Milk Storage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Breastfeeding Basics
  • Baby Diet
  • Breast Pumps
  • Mom Essentials
  • Breast Milk Storage
×

How Long Is Breastmilk Good At Room Temperature?

Modified: Feb 26, 2020 by Nursing Moms · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    

How Long Is Breastmilk Good At Room Temperature?

The best type of breastmilk you can feed your baby with is the one that is freshly pumped. This is the milk that is the richest in all nutrients. If you are expressing milk before each meal, you might wonder how long is breastmilk good at room temperature? Find the answers below.

Or maybe your baby drinks only a part of it and you are considering to keep the rest for later meals.

How long is breastmilk good at room temperature?

Breast milk at the room temperature

The golden rule says that freshly expressed milk stays good for around 4 hours. Unlike formula milk, who can't stay at room temperature for more than 2 hours, breastmilk resists in these conditions longer.

  • Room temperature means around 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) that remains constant for the entire time you store your milk. The main thing you need to keep in mind if you store breastmilk at room temperature is bacteria.
  • Breastmilk has important immune properties, but if you let the bottle sit without a lid, you just invite bacteria in. Too much bacteria will contaminate your milk faster than 4 hours.
  • Also, if the room you store your milk in is higher than the recommended temperature, it will just help the bacteria multiply in the container. So, make sure to properly close the milk bottle or bag and store it at optimum room temperature!
  • Some types of breastmilk are more prone to attract and multiply bacteria than others. All women are different, and so is the structure of their breastmilk. But you can't know how your breastmilk is, so it is better to stay on the safe side and store it as good as you can.
  • You can also wrap the milk bottle in a cold cloth or towel to keep it cooler while you store it. Also, don't leave the milk in direct sunlight because it will get even warmer. You should also keep it away from the windows or the stove while you are cooking.
  • If you respect these conditions, you can feed the freshly expressed milk to your baby for 2 meals with a 3 hours break in between, which is excellent for young infants and newborns because it is recommended to feed them every 3 hours.
  • If you notice that the temperature in your room is too high, it is safer to place your milk in the refrigerator. The risk of contaminating it with bacteria is not worth it.
  • Lower temperatures do not put the breastmilk in any danger. As a matter of fact, they are recommended to make sure it stays safe and unaltered for the entire time frame of 4 hours.
  • Can Breast Milk Become Sour In The Breast?
    Can Breast Milk Become Sour In The Breast?
  • Why Can Babies Have Yogurt But Not Milk?
    Why Can Babies Have Yogurt But Not Milk?
  • How Long Should I Pump Each Session?
    How Long Should I Pump Each Session?

If your baby is a preemie, however, or if they are ill, you might want to skip storing breastmilk at room temperature altogether.

  • How Long After Thawing Breast Milk Can It Be Used?
    How Long After Thawing Breast Milk Can It Be Used?

Babies in these conditions are a lot more sensitive than healthy infants, and you never know how they can get affected by bacteria that a full-term, healthy child would tolerate with no problems.

Key References

  • "Innate Immunity and Breast Milk". Accessed February 25, 2020. Link.

    
    

More Breast Milk Storage

  • Can You Combine Breast Milk From The Same Day?
    Can You Combine Breast Milk From The Same Day?
  • Can You Store Breast Milk In Bottles With Nipples?
    Can You Store Breast Milk In Bottles With Nipples?
  • Do You Lose Nutrients When Freezing Breast Milk?
    Do You Lose Nutrients When Freezing Breast Milk?
  • Breast Milk Organizer For Freezer
    Best Breast Milk Organizer For Freezer

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

madhuram

Welcome!

I'm a mom of 2 lovely boys, aged 14 and 9. I was lucky enough to have nursed them completely for one whole year without the use of any baby formula.

More about me

Breast Milk Color Chart

Breast Milk Color Chart

Popular

  • Can Breast Milk Cause Constipation?
    Can Breast Milk Cause Constipation?
  • Can Babies Be Allergic To Breast Milk?
    Can Babies Be Allergic To Breast Milk?
  • Can You Pump Breast Milk With Nipple Piercings?
    Can You Pump Breast Milk With Nipple Piercings?
  • Why Does Cabbage Dry Up Breast Milk?
    Why Does Cabbage Dry Up Breast Milk?

Seasonal

  • What To Do With Expired Breast Milk?
    What To Do With Expired Breast Milk?
  • Do Oats Increase Breast Milk?
    Do Oats Increase Breast Milk?
  • Do Onions Affect Breast Milk?
    Do Onions Affect Breast Milk?
  • Do Eggs Increase Breast Milk?
    Do Eggs Increase Breast Milk?

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Nursing Moms participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking NursingMoms.net to Amazon properties.  All information found on NursingMoms.net is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Copyright © 2000-2025 Nursing Moms. All Rights Reserved.