Milk Expression & Storage Flashcards

According to current CDC guidelines, freshly expressed breast milk stored at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C) can be safely kept for how long?

Answer: Up to 4 hours

Current CDC guidelines recommend using freshly expressed milk within 4 hours when stored at room temperature up to 77°F for optimal safety.

How long can freshly expressed breast milk be safely stored in a refrigerator set at 40°F (4°C) or below?

Answer: Up to 4 days

The CDC recommends using refrigerated expressed breast milk within 4 days for optimal quality and safety.

What is the maximum recommended storage time for breast milk in a standard household freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for best quality?

Answer: 6 months

While breast milk remains safe up to 12 months, 6 months is the recommended timeframe to preserve optimal nutritional and immunological quality.

When combining breast milk from different pumping sessions, what is the safest practice?

Answer: Cool freshly pumped milk in the refrigerator before combining with older refrigerated milk

Adding warm milk to cold stored milk raises its temperature and promotes bacterial growth; newly expressed milk must be cooled first before combining.

Which method is NOT recommended for thawing frozen breast milk?

Answer: Microwaving the sealed storage bag or bottle

Microwaving breast milk creates dangerous hot spots that can burn the infant and destroys heat-sensitive antibodies and nutrients.

After thawing frozen breast milk in the refrigerator, it should be used within:

Answer: 24 hours

Previously frozen breast milk that has been thawed should be used within 24 hours to maintain safety and quality.

What labeling information is most essential when storing breast milk at a childcare facility?

Answer: Date of expression and the infant's name

At a minimum, stored breast milk at childcare must be labeled with the date of expression and the infant's name to ensure the correct milk is given to the correct baby.