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How Long Can The Expressed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated For Feeding An Infant?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: Hi Doctor,
I will be joining work in few days and by that time my kid will be 6 months old.
I am planning to express my breast-milk which can be used to feed my kid in my absence.
Here are my queries:
1) How long we can store the breast-milk in refrigerator and can it be stored in glass feeding bottle itself?
2) Is formula milk (Nan-pro) better than stored breast-milk? which one is preferable?
3) In a day how many times a 6 month old should be given milk?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you can safely store

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Am really happy to hear that working mothers like you decide to express and store breast milk to give to your baby in your absence during office time.
It is indeed the best option.
Let me answer all your concerns.
1. You can store upto 12 hours in refrigerator safely. You should store in separate container preferably stainless steel or glass. Note that you cannot store feeding bottle directly. After opening the fridge, pour only the required milk say 150 to 200 ml into a separate container ( I always advice not to use feeding bottles as they are the commonest cause of infection.).
This container needs to dipped in hot water and allowed to cool before pouring milk into it so that it is sterile.
2. No need for formula. breastmilk is the best even if stored.
3. Day feeds can be 2 to 3 tines. In night you can feed on demand as required by baby.
Wishing you and your baby good health.
Regards
Dr Arun
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Arun

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1966 Questions

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How Long Can The Expressed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated For Feeding An Infant?

Brief Answer: Yes you can safely store Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing to us. Am really happy to hear that working mothers like you decide to express and store breast milk to give to your baby in your absence during office time. It is indeed the best option. Let me answer all your concerns. 1. You can store upto 12 hours in refrigerator safely. You should store in separate container preferably stainless steel or glass. Note that you cannot store feeding bottle directly. After opening the fridge, pour only the required milk say 150 to 200 ml into a separate container ( I always advice not to use feeding bottles as they are the commonest cause of infection.). This container needs to dipped in hot water and allowed to cool before pouring milk into it so that it is sterile. 2. No need for formula. breastmilk is the best even if stored. 3. Day feeds can be 2 to 3 tines. In night you can feed on demand as required by baby. Wishing you and your baby good health. Regards Dr Arun